The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-09-04


regard to each other put the finishing
stroke TO. Hence her visit to the sage Of
the Rue des Truauds, a man celebrated for
his skill in the compouuding Of such devil.
ish contrivances as suited the taste and
spirit of the age.
On the day appointed, Madame de Vau-
crasson started once more for the dwelling
of the man Of magic.
Would the sage accord her desire
Might she hope through him to win Gas.
ton = That was all her thought: and, on
entering the room, her emotion was so
strong that she could hardly command her
voice to ask the question.
The answer filed her with a thrill of
wild, fierce JOY.
81 have studied the matter closely" the
old man said, "and, Notwithstanding all the
difficulties and dangers-for there are dan
gers, and to me especially, in the work.
have decided on accepting your commits
sion. Success can promise you; but my
reward must be in proportion TO the labor
and the risk"
"Name your terms" said the lady.
lie mentioned sum that would have
startled an applicant less bent on the at
tainment of her desires; but the marQuise,
without moments hesitation, acceded 10
the demand.
"And the riugl" she asked.
"The ring, as told you, shall be made
the instrument of accomplishing your OBJ
ject. Return here this day week with an
order for the sum we have agreed upon;
and the ring, charged with the power to
perform the mission, is yours"
She clasped her hands, with a gleam Of
triumph in her flashing black eyes.
The evening Of the seventh day found
her once more on her way TO the magi.
clans. The old man took from little box
the ring, and handed it to her. Never had
it looked so magnificent. A thousand
gorgeous tnts flashed and sparked with
increased lustro, while the emerald eyes of
the serpent CLEANED with a living light,
almost terrible to look at Madame de
Vaucrasson turned it about, and contem-
plated it lovingly.
Whatever man wears, or even has
about his person, that ring" The sage said,
must, SO long as it remains in his posses.
sion, love you passonately, no matter what
may have been his previous sentiments, or
what the obstacles that lie between you
She gave him the order for the sum they
had agreed upon, aud prepared to depart.
I'll expect, madame, that YOU will come
and give me An account of your success.
will require THE"
The tone was so quietly authoritative,
that she felt herself compelled 10 make the
desired promise; and, conceal;ng the jewel
in her bosom, she hastened home with all
speed.
How TO convey it to CASTOR? That was
the next step. She thought Of various ex.
pedien,s, but none wholly satisfied her
She resolved, at all events, never 10 separate
herself from it, so that whatever occasion
chance might offer, supposing she did not
Immediately lnl upon Il deliberate plan OF
action, she might profit by.
That night there was fete at the hotel
of the Duchess lie Maubreui, the house
where she had first met Castor. Would
, he be there! Probably; his family was
) connected with that Of the Due, and she
knew he WAS always n welcome guest.
! Her toilette that evening was performed
, with greater care than she was wont TO be
, slow on il. She wished when the ling did
, its work-the work she knew il was, by
no power of hers, charged to perform-tc
feel or 10 fancy that her womans charm,
/ had some share in the effect. She looked
5 in her glass with pride and triumph. Hope
and security had lent new lustre 10 hel
beauty. The diamonds that blazed in hei
7 luXuriani dark hair were not more bril-.
, liant than her eyes; and her cheek wore 8
g bloom that needed no aid from art
As she entered the apartments Of The
Hotel Maubreui, there was general stii
and murmur. CASTOR was there. He
+ heard il; looked where he saw other eve:
dire,ted and for tie first time, WAS struck
e 10y the beauty aud majesty of the woman
, whose unconcea!ed preference he had ST
coldly and constantly discouraged. Iii:
1 eyes followed her through the crowd; h,
saw how it bent in homage before her; he
5 saw with what diguifed indifference sh,
received it-how valueless in her sigh
@ was the alteration of those who sought bu
$ n word or smile TO treasure and be PROUD
y Of. The demon of vanity had begun t
9 work in his breast, ere ever the ring ap
/ preached his finger.
n Between the dances he went up anC
. spoke TO her. Her manner was Tar les
c earnest and encouraging than usual; if no
cold, it WAS at least marked with a cain
. dignity, very different to her usual tone
b with him. This piqued him, and lie long
y ed for an occasion when he might converse
] with her more ut ease than he could d,
II there, standing before her seat, ard sur
i rounded by the other guests. She com
: planned of the heat, and he FASTENED {,
offer TO conduct her to one Of the les
5 crowded and cooler apartments. Passin!
through several rooms, they reached ih
}. last of the suite, which was becoming near
Q ly deserted 10y the recommencement of tn
t dancing, and leading her to a sofa, Castor
t took place by her side.
. The conversation was resumed by her, il
: the same calm, ordinary tone; 10y him, will
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