The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1860-01-05

burst upon him.
Hortense Dclvise was the daughter
ofa wealthy merchant Of Paris, and
was possessed of no ordinary powers OF
mind. TIL frivo,ties OF many of her
sex and age she despiscd. Her rconver-
sation was marked by clcarncss and re-
fincmcnt--a dclcacy and precision,
which made her at once an object Of ut
traction; whilst tho well l,formed figure,
the expressive features, the thoughtful
look, and the calm, pure, expanded
brow, spoke eloqucntly Of the soul
within, and drew around her host of
admirers. But amongst them all WAS
onc--Pedro Malpcrtcz, Spanish ad-
venturer, whose eye she could not meet,
In the gaycat moments, the mingled
fcrocity and cunning in the glance of
that man had power to chill her very
heart Ills attentions were dreaded,
and she shuddercd il he even touched
her hand
William Russell had conceived for
llortensc II pure and lasting love, and
he spent his whole time in her society.
One night while they were at compa-
ny given by person Of nobility, Will
liam becoming heated from dancing,
stepped into the adjoining room, and
the Spaniard, with smile that made
llortcnso tremblc, approached her, and
requested her hand for the set.
llortcnse rctrcatcd Il step, and said,
with visible trcmor:
"l--l--thank you, Signor.--you will
pardon mc---l am not we'll"
"Say not so, fair one" rcqlicd NAL
pcrtcz, "thc dance will drive away all
such feelings"
lie again advanced towards her, and
this time he took hold Of her hand
She felt, for the moment, Il iaintncss
stealing over her, aud her glance invol-
unfairly wandered to the door through
which her lover had passed; then, in ~
firm, decided voice, she said:
"Signor DcMaIpcrtcz, thank you
for your courtesy, but | do not wish to
participate in the dancc.'
My dear girl said the Spaniard,
in u tone half earnest and half in Jest,
!"l shall take no refusal, you must
dance with me-
At this moment William entered the
room. IIortcnsc saw him not, nor did
Pedro MaIpcrtez; but her lip quivcrcd
us she cndcavorcd to disongagc her
wrist from the firm grasp Of the Span
lard, and she exclaimed, in pain:
"You hurt me, Signor DcMalpcrtcz
YOU are rHdc-you are y VILLAIN : and
her beautiful eyes flashed fire as she
spoke.
"Crucl Ma'msclle," he returned.
"Signor,' now interrupted William,
"you forget yourscIi.-you forget the
courtesy ola gentleman
"Whcn need your council, will
ask it." replied the Spaniard, in haugh-
ty tones.
"Whie that lady is here, sir, she is
under my protection" said William,
and neither you, nor any other, shall
insult her"
"Mind your own affairs cried Nal
pertcz; but ere the words were utter
ed, William Sprang ut him, seized him
by the throat, and, by one powerful ei-
fort, hurled him to the distance of sew
cral yards, where he fell PROSTATE on
the floor. Livid with rage, the victim
sprang to his feet, and attempted to
reach his opponent; but, with u cry Of
horror, the guests intcrposcd
Il demand satist;lction," cried the
Spaniard. "Stand back-blood for the
insult
"To fight with cowardly ruilian
like you, replied William, "would but
put me on your level You may thank
your stars that you got off so easily
we shall meet again, and then, sir, be-
warcw
The countcnance of the Spaniard was
frightful to behold, but mastering, in
some degree, his passion, he drew his
antagonist to one side. and whispered
in his ear, with all the intenscness of
hate, these words:
William Russell, you have insultcd
me-rctiuscd to give me satisfaction
now listen to my OATH and as he
spoke he took crucitix from his bos-
om--" -"upon this sacred emblem of my
faith, swear to be rcvcngcd, and will
track you through the world You
cannot escape mc--sO beware--l have
sworn it--onc of us must die"
"Bc it so, but |. laugh at your
threats" and the next moment they
had parted.
CHAPTER III.
A month after the above occurrence,
the day was fixed for the marriage Of
William and Hortcnsc. The consent
of her father had been obtained, and,
as her lover had now secured hand
snn. .nmnotnncy ho had rasnlvnd IN