Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-23
6aortestrr 4ailg Spp.
DOOM;
CHAPTER tr1.-coxrINUED.
BY HERMAN MANvILLE.

a Tale OF Love- 1dSekOuf anu mystery.
BY HERMAN MANvILLE.
CHAPTER III.-coNTINUED.
''Of your history know nothing" he an
swered' "saye that you are the niece of Mr..
Walden, of the villa beyond, and the reputed
Alliance of Col Winslow. Also that you are
an heiress. For all this care nothing. Ny
kind landady, who gave me this information,
also repeated to me your inestimable virtues
and goodness, which was far sweeter music
to my ear. She likewise doubted the rumor
of your being engaged to Winslow. Have
been too frank 2"
mo, for less would have disappointed me
in your character. But" she hesitated.
"Miss Farchild-"
BE plain with me, as am with you. Call
me-Valinda," she said archly.
20 thank you for the privilege" he said,
1t is a strange, sweet name, and l love its
sound"
What were you going to say 2"
"This, and l want you to hear me through
1t. You have read and heard strange tales of
that mystic world in which the artist dwells-
that world of sun-tinted dreams and exagger-
ated fancies. Each of us-poor worshippers
of Art-are cursed with passion for the inf
nite which common mortals never know. l
Cali IL IL curSe, lot, dldS ! now Often does 1t
prove so! since it is so seldom attained We
each, in our turn, as we read of the old mas
tiers, wonder, if we, too are to tread the same
mystic vale, If LIES romance is to mark our
career, and add us to the list of the doomed
Thus have lived and wondered thus toiled
for bread and hoped for fame. Like most
of them-am an orphan, friendless and poor !;
thus far have labored and hoped in peace
but now
tremulous voice, as he hid his face in his
hands.
"Now-the crisis has come! the curse is on
me l am among the doomedr' he cried, in
bitter agony.
The color came and went in Valinda's fair
countenance, like the red flames in confia-
grafton In an avalanche of snow. She bit her
lips, until the blood almost burst forth, and
great teardrops were swimming in her eyes,
The flowers dropped from her bosom, shaken
by its violent emotion and her very curls
seemed to tremble.
"Claudep she exclaimed, in Deep trem-
bling, earnest voice. "there are others be-
side the votaries of art who suffer the same
curse-the same terrible DOOM These are the
pure, sensitive souls, reared by a tender moth
er's care into the fullness of perfect virtue,
then suddenly left desoate in the world, to be-
come the prey of cruel circumstances and de-
signing yillainy The young, fair girl, with
pure soul and elevated mind, whose position
in the world makes her the aim for all Parthi
an and poisoned arrows until she falls, over
whelmed and crushed, victim to its heart
less mallgnity! Claude, L too am doomed p
"fou! he said looking up. My God
how Who would dare to harm you 2"
My fate is sealed p she muttered in the
voice of one inspired.
For Winslow 2" cried Claude, anxiously.
Never for WinSlow %
-, yallnda l know it seems blasphemous
resumpton-but-may l hope?" he cried
wildly.
"Hope, hope, Claude, and-wait! o yes"
she cried, sUait, Claude Ask me for no
pledges no promises; we will meet, some
tlmes-it dare not be often-there don't look
gloomy you cannot know all. We will meet
sometimes here and in New York our hearts
should go through some ideal to try these new
impressions and emotions it all seems like a
dream to meas if l had been suddenly
launched into new world, Ask nothing more
OF me, expect nothing-until circumstances
shall have worked out our fate. Will you
wait"
Eyes, Valinda!' he cried, kissing her hand
passionately, 81 have been just born into a
new life. / will wait until my existence is
matured-years, if you demand it-for l know
that | can trust you"
"You may" she said in quiet voice, "and
now must return-it is late Call upon nv
uncle this afternoon; he knows his obligation
to you-for told him all-and he will be glad
to see you"
Farewell, thou angel yisitant of my soul
bright star of my inscrutabe destiny Fare
wellF he cried, and rushed wildly away.
He did not run far, however. His form was
scarcely concealed from her by the trunk of a
large oak, when heavy hand was laid, vice
like, upon his arm, and he almost fell beneath
the shock. He turned and beheld-CoLoneE
WinsLo,c!
"Not SO fast, my young illibusterP' cried
the colonel, with a hooking smile, and eyes
kindled with malignant fire.
Hands off" cried Claude, Indignantly re-
leasing his hold.
"Humph! that was quite a pleasant tete-a-
tete you had just now with Miss Valinda,' said
Winsow, with sinister smile.
And pray, sir, what business is it of yours?"
asked Claude, reddening with rage. at GER
tainly could make no difference to the interests
OF man who could condescend to play the
spy"
death and furies y he was about to spring
upon Claude, when he suddenly, as if with a
giant strength, crushed the rage which was
choking him. Enough! you have crossed
my path, and added to it insult Your card 2"
'Take it name in full p cried Claude, and
with one blow of his clenched fist he sent him
reeling to the ground
CHAPTER Iv.-Ln Which the Reader becomes &C.
qudlnted ruth New Character, and Claude
receives another Warming
Claude did not wait to see the effect of his
blow, but turning, proceeded on his way He
was suddenly arrested, however, by loud
report, and bullet whistling by his ear, al
most close enough to clip his locks. He turn
ed round Indignantly as wild scream pierced,
: as it were, his very soul. His glance fell upon
Wmslow, who stood some twenty PAGES off,
still holding in his hand the discharged pistol,
while farther of, in the middle of the path, her
hands clasped to her breast in an attitude of
painful anxiety, stood the beautiful Valinda
'Claude's fair brows lowered with momenta-
ry rage, and his dark eyes flashed dangerous
light
Coward assassin !" he cried. Beware
the next time you cross my path, for you will
not find me the plaything of boy as you sup
pose. Farewell, Colonel Winslow We may
meet again, and when you next aim bullet at
me, | pray, for the honor of the title you as
sumo, 1t may be when my face is toward you,
and have similar chance p
That will be sooner than you desire p hiss
ed Winslow, through his set teeth.
Claude turned with bow of disdain, and
pursued his way, leaving the foiled and dis
concerted Colonel rooted, as it were by his
own degradation, to the spot where he stood
AS soon as he could recover from his rage and
chsgrin, he turned to look after Valinda, but
she was gone.
It'll |. i.