The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1859-12-10

! pretensions. I wish nv rccret had remsiocd
locked within my own breast, but that woman
cannot be resisted, she must se possessed with
some magical art ! How could nero guessing
have come so near the truth andth,m she ques-
tions me so sharply, and to the point !"
81 do not think she deceived me when she led
me to believe that she was sure the property
would be hers. l surmise she was as much
amazed at the turn affairs have taker, as W.
self; and, for my part, never doubted al.
ways thought he loved her 80 well. There's
fomething wrong, but I'll be safe. Yes, yes;
III not run any risk. I'd be in security sssoon
as possible: Here, at least, Is one place where
that horrid spectre has not intrudsd; here will
defy il; / can Zee Il herel IL wish / could slesp
AZ night, am troubled with such horrid dreams
that form Is ever present; but ,ciR defy IL |"
Three nights subsequent to this conversation,
Nelson Bradford wended his way to Cranlife
Hall. The night was cloudless, and as he stroll
ed along, be forgot, for awhile, his dark f.ncies
his thoughts were concentrated upon nothing IN
particular, rowing hither and thither, devoid Of
the volition, Of will, now upon the past, then
upon the present, again In the misty obscurity
Of the future he had nesred the avenue leaf
ing to the ht use, when loud vo CO sounded in
! his ear,
Murderer -
| With loud shrek he fed, stopping no. to SEQ
who II could be who thus disturbed him, cor
seious OF nought ssvsa fearful inwsri revulsion
lie rushed into the hall, where he encounter
oil Julis who hurriedly asked the cause Of the
cry, for she had recognized his voice.
'Tbe spectre" was all he could articulate, as
she drew him into the room and closed the
door.
The artful woman trembled inwardly as she
remembered the interruption Of previous even
ing, but she knew did she openly display fear,
her power over him was gonei 50, mastering her
emo ion, she hissed-
"Aud what did the spectre say that should
/ frighten YOU so?'
Julia, say no more; leave me to think"
"Oh, yes" she exclaimed, moving toward the
toor. 81 will lesye you II your thoughts are so
muth p'easanter than my company"
"Nc, stay; l did not mean that; but I know
that star 20 being has swed me-startled me.
l am weak; lot me have some vino"
She rang the bell, and ordered the desired ar
ticle. The servant soop returned, and, drawing
out tho small table, placed two glasses and .
bottle Of Madeira upon 1t, and then retired. :
When they were alone, he poured out glass OF
the startling gintoSicstor and tossed II Of with
out taking 1t from bis lips.
Ju Ia watched bin with sueering smile dis
torting her beautiful face; . second drsught and
he seemed refreshed for setting down the crys-
tai goblet, he turned to his companion, saying
This generous juice has set my blood dancing
through Its channels again.
40, give mo, next to fsir woman's smile,
The full ga.a OF ruby hued wine
| nHvsns, IL cheers, and ,smpts me tho while
To snatch from those redlps OF thins
|
Say noueht disapproving to me.
o, yes give mo wine, love, and thee
"a glass OF cold water, though clear and bright,
And limp and ireta Lom the spring,
Wt,os sns nerer 1e vet ad ss.Ied he 10 bpina
| The glow Of delight to the flashing eye,
| The memory of oldsn time.
o, put the weak glass Of cold water by,
And give me tho glorious wine !"
! As he concluded this rapsody, he flung his
arm around her, and seated her upon his knee.
snow, julia" he remarked, "lst us run
over matters, since the reading sf the will. by
the bye, think you looked disappointed the
"bis.ppolntsd, Twas, for I expected to get
tho whole. To think he should have loft the
bulk Of his fortune to Harry"
mIt Is really too bad, but you know you have
still this beautiful manslon."
"Msnsioni Whstis 1t to mop Twas tho
money wanted"
Then you, are not suited or satisfied with
this elegant place."
"t does very well in J., 4; a. way , but s In toll
sudden death. all would fall to me.-fOr II he
were not married, and made no will, there would
As she spoke, she fixed her keen, dark eyes
upon him with that peculiar searching express
"Harry's sudden DEATH" he repsated-"N No
Other heir-You are right!" A CLEAN Of ami
nation spread upon bis face.
"You are hSht-it would but he Is young
and healthy, and not lihey to die yet awhile"
"Wby might not he, as well as his brother Z"
"Iis, Julis-do hear Alright p
81 merely remaIksd-'why might not he die,
ss well as his brother p the latter was young, In
the best Of health, aud yet It took but q short
time, Nelson, to stretch him cold and hfsless,
upon the ground
"Tbat Is true, too, to be sure he would ssdie,
well o. another!" and he relspssd into silence
and meditation. Ju 10 noticed his abstraction
and concluded she had said enough TO keep him
thinking.
, attention In another direction.
Not far from Cianlifs Hall, was an estate,
known as Rose villa, from the multitude OF r0-
ses, which bloomsd and faded In the prscincts
IL was picturesque mama, and the spot could
against the sids Of the house, an endless variety
u running roses blushod In beauty, shedding
their rich perfume TO the air, while the pure
whilS tho delicate cream, the pink, the crlmson,
int rmipg glsd with the brilliant yellow, duly sna-
dsd with the dark green leaves, met the eye at
every turn.
II had been occupied by Mr.. Rand, whose
wis having lately died, he had sold Il to . Mr.,
Rems son tho villa had bsen fitted up anew
painted and orr smenes throughout.
were expected daily n tho early part Of th'
evening they arrived, and with the ardor assim'
uisted with such occasions were going through
the house, examining and chticising with un
bounded delight. They were satisfied with al
the arrangements, othing had been leh undone
and masy and joyful were the sxclamations tha
greeted each apartment as Mr.. Remson throw
open the doors. The party consisted Of his wife
alady refined, amiabls, . true mother, hi
, daughter Virginia, beautiful girl Of eighteen
and Edward, youth OF fourteen this was thu
| whole Of the family, who were TO bo neighbors
10 the inmates Of Craplifs Hall.
, Virginia vas a lovely a. poets dream. He
) complexion vas As pure as q snowflake, with
rose less restsg upon III her eyes as blue as hea
yens cerulsm ether her hair fell TO her wais
I In its golden luxuriance bright as II the Ia,
rays Of the setting sun had bean imprlsoned !
o It's waves; her features delicate and feminine
and her mouth crimson In Its fullness, REVEALED
: when It parted, In dimpling smile, teeth sua
and umblsmishsd, In their whitensss. Sho va
the idol Of her parents and young brother, who's
large, brown eyes glowed with true patterns
love, as they rested upon her beaming counts
nance, and we'll she asritsd their ahsction, 70
shs was ~ gentle and smiabls, as abe was beau
tiful.
A tn. group entered the pariOrs, Mr.. RsmsO
"Weli, / would have Jenhis's opinion Of ou
r new homo. have only heard, now and thsr
some ambiguous exclamation from her hps."
J, ~ am dslighted, father. could not be moi
8 pleased and soc by my mothers eye, that ah
L too, Is delighted. How correct your taste u
q How we'll this portrait looks hare J" she adde
as she pointed e one which hung IN the sa shade
o The picture was q dark. eyed boy, which bore
IS decided resemblance to Edward.
: NAnd, Jennie, how well this ono looks"
/" exclaimed, ss he directed their attention to ,
= exquisite head, with dreamy blue eyes, Al
70 sunny ringlets, which q glance showed to