Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-02-05

corner Of the room; WSsping httgirs rgf
you see-you Sec,' said the ~ man Sef'
castically, how reluctantly she parts with Il.
Take Il, sir, II iS yours.'
It was small bar Of metal. II sxsmined Il
carefully, poised It IN my hand--that cOlory
weight, everything announced that It really
was gold.
You doubt its genutnenes; p5Fhapsf cCns
tinued the alchemlst There are acldb on
yonder table-test it.
| confess that did doubt it's gsnuineness,
but after had acted upon the old mans spg-
gestion, all further suspicion was rendered ims
possible.-It was gold Of the highest purity.
was astoniShcd. Was then, after ell, this
sss.n's tale truth! Was his daughter, that
fair, angelic looking creature demon Of ayaa
rice, or o slave to worse passionSf felt be-
wildered. had never met with anything 80
incomprchcnsible. | looked from father to
daughter in the blankest amaxemenE sup.
pose that my countenance betrayed my aston.
ishment, for the old man said:
/ perceive that you arc surprised. WELL
that Is natural. You bad right TO think INC
mad, until proved myself sane.
But, Mr.. Rlakelock,' said, Il really can.
not take this gold. I have no right to It.
cannot in justice charge so large fec
Take lt-takc it. he answered impatient:
ly. your fee will amount to that before I
am well beside he added mysteriOusly, i
you should protect me here and he p6iRted
his poor hantlaged hand ct Marian. an..l--.--
My eye followed his gesture, and caught
the glance that replied. A glance Of horror,
distruSt despair. The beautiful face WIS dis
tortcd into positive uglincss.
It's all trnc,' thought, she Is the demon
that her father represents her.
1 now rose to 20. This domestic tragedy
sickened me. This treachcry Of blood against
blood was too horrible to witness. wrote
prescription for the old man, left directions a.
tho renewal Of the dressings upon bis burns,
and bidding him good night, haStened towards
the door.
WhilO was f1mbling on the dark, crazy
landing for the staircase, felt . hand laid on
my arm.
Doctor whispered voice that rccog-
nized- as Marian -Blakeleek's; ADGetof have
you any compassion in your heartr
hope So answered shortly, Ghaklng Of
her haDd-hcr touch filled me with i0athing.
IlusKf don't talk 80 loud. If tCu have
any pity in your nature. give me back en-.
treat Of yon, that gold ingot which my father
gave you this evening"
Great lIcavcn!' said I, 'can It bG posi-
bic that so fair woman can be such mercei
nary, shameless wretch p
'Ah! you know not-I cannot tell you! Do
not judge mo harShy. / call God 70 witness
that am not what you deem me. Some day
or other you will know-but,' she added, In.
tcrrupting herself the ingot-Wherc Is itp I
must have it. Ny life depends ON your giving
it to mo-
Take it, imposter!' I cried placing It IN
her hand. that closed on it with horrible eager.
ness. Il never intended to keep Il. Gold
made under the same roof that covers such e
you, must bc accursed.'
So saying, needless Of the nervous effort she
made to detain me, Istumbled down the stairs
and walked home.
The next morning while was In my Office.
smoking my natUtinal cigar, end speculatin9
over the singular character of my acounint.
ances Of last night. the door opened, and Ma
rian Bakclock entered. She had the same
look Of terror that had observed the evening
before. and she painted as II slle had been run.
ming fast
'Fa.her has got out Of bed,' she gasped
out. and insists on going on with bis alche-
my. Will it kilf'
Not exactly answered cOldly. II wera
better that he kept quiet. SO as to avoid the
chance Of Inflammation. However. Won need
not be alarmed, his burns are not at al dan.
gcrous although painful.
Thank God-thank God she cried IN the
most impassionatc accents; and before was
aware Of what she was doing. she seized my
There, that viii d. I said, withdrawing
my hand, you arc under no obligations to
mc.-You had better 60 back 10 your father
Il can't CO. she answered, you despIse ma
lis It not so y -, =
l made no reply.
You think mo Ett0nSter--a crfnlnal.
When you went home laat night. you wero
wondcr.struck that 80 vile q creature aa I
should have 40 fair facc.'
You embarrass me madam said In my
most chilling tone. Pray, relieve mo from
this unpleasant position
.Mait1- 1 cannot boar thatyou slsUuldthinly-
i'll Of me. You arc good and kind. and a.
sire to possess your esteem. You little know
how love my father
could not restrain blttcr su1ilc.
You do not believe thatI We'll. / vim
convince you. have had hard seruRRlo all
last night with myself but am now resolved, .
This lilo OF deceit must continue no lonapg.
Will you hear my vindicatlonr
nodded my head Tho wonderful naaaaav
Of hcr voice, and the purity Of her features
were charming me once more. Thalfbelieva1
in her innocence already.
My father has told you Q portion of hia
history. But he did not tell You that 81 80
tinucd failures in hts search after the nccYrt a
metallic ctransmutation nearly killed RI 10
years ago, he was on the verge e 6ks s1sss.
working every day at his mad pursnli -
every day growing weaker and nsore e1,acl y 4.
cd. saw that II his mind was mot rsl'sSra
in some way, he would die. The th6neIl ~
madness to me- for loved him---T lrVa 80
still as daughter neter loved fsthar &, -
During all these years Of poverty, Iha1 -.
ported the house with my needle; e - 80
work, but did It'll do Il stiIlIs
'Whati' I cried startled, sdoss -
'Patiences Hear me cut ~ -
dying Of disappointment I n.s - i'.sS. ~
By incredible exsEtiOns slltias 81
and working with enpaal - - g e a
about thirty-nya AnlIaTS ~
exchanged for gold -
father was not l0Okiff 8
crucibla. In whieA ~
vain attempts e tHan
sures viii pasdon ~ ~
anticipated the misqgT q
4 l. aat q -