Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-02-11


preston upon him. He stood as rigid and
marble-whitc as if suddenly turned TO stone
by some magician's hand while the painful
anxious attention with which he listened, and
which was expressee in his otherwise stony
features, gave evidence that he was hearing
something of excessive Importance. He did
not move muscle--he scarcely breathed-he
was like one who is standing the extreme
verge of an abyss, into which he is afraid of
falling, and his rolling eyes and beating heart
alone gave signs of his violent agitation.
In very few minutes the young architect
came back smiling, and called out from a lit
tie distance, II could not manage to make the
experiment, for some one was in the confess
sional-from the glimpse l got, lady closely
veiied-but heavens! what is the matter with
You ~
The only answer which the Marquis gsve the
Italian was to place his finger his mouth,
and he continued to stand motionless. After
minute or two he drew a deep sigh. The
statue passed out of its speechless magic
trance, and returned again to life.
sit is nothing, dear GiuIio,'' said he in
friendly tone. ''Do not think that am super
stitious, but Lassure you that this mysterious
and wonderful natural phenomenon has taken
me much by surprise that it has had
strange effect npon me. Come, let us go! L
shall recover myself in the fresh air. he adj
ded, as he took Balzetti's arm, and led him to
the promenade on the outside of the town.
The two gentlemen walked up and down there
for about an hour, when the Marquis bade the
young man adieu saying Mt the same time,
'.To-morrow, after the festival is over will you
come out as usual to our villa ?''
At very early hour the next morning, the
Marquis entered his wife's private suite of a
partments. The waiting maid, who just at
that moment was coming into the ante-room
by another door, started, and looked quite as
founded.
sDd your lady ring ?'' asked the Marquis.
sNo, your excellency % replied the woman,
curteseyine low and coloring violently.
s'Then wait till yon are called,'' said the
Marquis, as he opened the door of the dressing
room which separated the sleepiDg-room from
the ante chamber.
AS he crossed the threshold he was met by
his lovely young wife, attired in Il morning
it must have been the one in which she had a.
risen from her couch.< The Marquis stopped
and stood still, as if struck with his wife's ex-
treme beauty. lie did not appear to observe
the uneasineSs, ,,the inward tempest of feelings
that, chasing all the blood from her cheeks had
sent it to her heart, and caused its beating to
be too plainly visible under the robe Of slight
fabric which was thrown around her.
S.You are up early this morning. Antonio !"
said the young Marchioness, in scarcely au-
dible tone Of voice, with deepening blush
and a forced smile. 'sWhat do you want here p
"Could you be surprised, my Lauretta
light of my eyes - said the Marquis in the
blaudest and most insinuating Of accents
sscould you be surprised if ] came both early
and late And yet, dearest, this morning my
visit is not to you alone. You know to-day is
the Feast of the Holy Magdalene, and great
festival in the Church. have taken it into my
head to usher in this day by paying my tribute
of admiration TO the glorious Magdalene of
Titan which you had placed in your own sleep
ing apartment. VIII you permit me ?'' he
asked, very politely, as with slow steps, but
in very determined manner, he walked to-
ward the door.
..Everythng is really in such sad disorder
there said his young wife,with rapid glance
at the half open door; 'sbut go since
you will. shall begin making my toilet here
in the meantime
And he went in.
elbow charmingl' he cried in peculiar
tone Of voice-''how charming is not all this
disorder! This graceful robe thrown careless
ly down-these fairy slippers There is some
thing that awakens the fancy-something de-
licious in the very air of this room All this
is absolutely poetry"
His searching look fastened itself upon the
snow white couch, the silken coverlet OF which
was drawn up and spread out, but could not
entirely conceal the outline of human fl
cure, lying fat possible, evidently in the
endeayor to escape observation.
81 will sit down awhIe,' said the Marquis,
in the cheerful voice of person who has no
unpleasant thought in his mind, "sand contem-
plate this master work"
AS he said this he took up pillow, its white
covering trimmed with wide lace, and laid it
on the spot where he thought the face of the
concealed person must be, and placed himself
upon it with all the weight Of his somewhat
bulky figure, whilst he placed his right hand
upon the chest of the reclining form, and pres
sed on it with all his force.
Without needing the involuntary, frightful,
and coDvulsive heavings-the death throes Of
Of his wretched victim, the Marquis exclaim-
ed, in Il calm, firm voice:
-, - <l.s.-1 Ill