Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-23

10rDluden me 10 De ANXIOUS or persistent, COM
manding me to stand aloof until she calls. l
obey; but she is going to the city-she may
need me; / will be near her. Again. Winslow
is going there; she saw him this morning at
| tempt my life-I heard her shrek as he fred
| the pistol there will be a scene between them
and if have read him rightly, he is not man
to be easily foiled, or, if rejected, will not
pause without revenge. l should be near, to
protect her against his wiles.'
He reached the city about one O'Clock, and
was dismounting at the Harlem depot. when a
! figure fitted by him. 1t was that of woman
of middle age, dressed in deep black, and wear
| ing thick veil. He would not have noticed
her, but, as she passed him, the veil was drawn
slightly aside, and he caught the quick glance
! OF two black, weird eyes, set as it were, IN
| haggard statue of Parian. s
Claude paused, as the figure fitted on, al
most holding his breath in surprise. He had
seen that pale face, those fascinating, magnetic
eyes before. He had seen the same figure
but dressed in different attire, and under diff
ferent circumstances. Where In the little
valley by the Hudson, on the preceding night,
after he had saved the beautiful Valinda from
a watery grave. 1t ,cas the mysterious mendi-
cant, ,eao seemed to guard his destinyp'
"Hallo! Claude is that you, my fine fell
| lowP cried voice near him..
He turned and confronted a handsome, we'll
with frank, ingenious countenance which
could be read at glance.
| Charley Denham!' cried the artist, eager
ly grasping his hand.
eyes, my dearest friend, but how is this
was only expecting letter about this time,
and here you are in propria persona. What
brought you so suddenly from your rustic re-
treats"
Claude blushed, and replied Business
hon folyt !. IL
to his studio in Houston street, telling him. as
they went along, all the incidents which had
made up the last twenty -four hours of his life.
| Charles Denham was the son of wealthy
merchant (now Junior partner in the establish
ment, in tact), but unlike most of his class he
was thrifty, accomplished, and the model of
refined gentleman He had graduated, two
years before, at Harvard, spent year on the
| Continent, and then returned home to settle
| down IN the legitimate pursuit of his father,
| and cultlvatlng those branches of learning and
art which were most congenial to his tastes.
Among others, he had kind of domestic pas
sion for painting, which had been increased by
his observation of the immortal works of the
great masters. 1t was in this pursuit that he
had become acquainted with our hero, and find
ing IN him that tone ofstern integrity and high
honor which echoed through his own heart,
they became, notwithstanding the disparity of
their pecuniary positions, fast and confding
ffiends
1t was no WONDER them that Claude hasten
ed to tell his friend the secret of his love- for
though he knew that it would make him the
victim of his first quzzing humor, he felt that
he would have his sympathy, and, if need be,
his assistance
And so, my poor boy, you are in lover
cried Denham, as they entered the artists stud
10, and became seated.
Il fear so, very much" was Claude's calm
but blushing reply.
Shades of Titan, hear it p exclaimed
Charles, in mock-heroic style. A painter of
twenty-one in love Claude, don't you feel
pale 2"
The artist smiled family, and felt quite 9TH
erwise.
"And you could not fall in love either, with
out falling in the water p continued his friend,
IN the same style of raillery. What a damp
affection that must have been! So the lean
and hungry Cassius' once loved Caesar, but it
wasn't long after he had saved him from the
raging Iiber,' that he turned traitor The
omen is bad one, my dear friend"
ihanks that 1t is but your comparison that
makes the omen" said Claude, laughing"
"True; l forgot that, said Denham "But
that don't appear to be all. After escaping
the fire and birthstone of an old witch of a
beggar, and the bullet of the assassin Wins
low, you've probably got to fight the scoun-
drel duel yet"
81 freely confess that nothing would give
me greater satisfaction" said Claude, reddening.
Yes, know you're devilish good shot
let me see (! what was that you did the night
previous to your going to the country rang
the bell five in six :?
eyes"
cat fifteen PAGES; good But you say he
has been in the army; these officers are the
| devil with the sword, and he might choose it.
| Who is your mditre d'arn.es?"
'Iincoln."
"And he is"
! "The best in the country"
Except yourself-don't bush-he told me
so himself! Damn it, Claude give me your
hand am glad of all this from the core of
my heart. You needed something to tear you
from your dingy room and easel. You were
growing musty for lack of contact with the
world losing all knowledge of your kind, and
all those motives which inspire the painter by
the mere force of contrast. | have tried long
In vain, to bring about this result, which your
new passion has accomplished But the best
is to come, Claude; know your fair divinity"
What! you know Valinda 2" cried Claude,
sprlnging to his feet.
Eyes, well | met her first last season. at
Saratoga, Immediately after my return from
Europe. | confess that was smtten with
her, and, for time, entered the list of her
Wooers; but while | was treated with more
attention than the rest, she soon gave me to
understand that nothing but the purest friend
ship inspired her actions and my case was
hopeless. | understood and felt it all without
words was not deep, passionate, earnest
enough for her; she was spiritual as an angel,
was of the earthly. A most intimate friend
ship sprang up between us, which has con-
tinued until this day; and as you say she is
In town, we shall both call upon her tonight
at her relatives"
Claude turned pale and trembled.
what is the matter 90
II cannot go, Charley p he answered, half
sadly.
| "Why not?'
"Have | not repeated to you the converse
ton which passed between us this morning?
dare not approach her-dare not come with
In the hallowed circle of her presence unbid-
den But two words have been spoken
Hope !-"wait" They are but two words,
yet they contain my destiny"
There was rap at the door, timid and
scarcely perceptible.
who can have already learned that have
arrived :" asked Claude, in a tone of surprise
II will go behind the curtain while you ad-
init them 2" said Denham, as he passed behind
| a screen.
Claude opened the door, and was confronted
by woman dressed in deep black, and wear
ing close veil over her face She extended a
thin, white hand. Claude unconsciously did
the same, and instantly he felt paper pressed