Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-07-26

most ne told me at once that it was portrait
OF Guandano's wife. was fascinated by the
! power OF its beauty my pulse beat quickly
throbbing to my brain, as looked into the
luminous depths of those nnfathomabe eyes
false lights that had lured my unhappy friend
to destruction. But as gazed, the character
OF the face seemed TO change; mournful,
pleading look seemed pent upon me from the
solemn eyes; tender wistful expression stole
round the curved corners of the exquisite lips.
My heart beat like drum in my ears as l
thought heard a sweet, low voice speaking in
extenuation of the cruel deception.
u was so weary; life here with Guandano
was so dreary TO my wasting youth, it was
killing me and / loved Temple truly, though
was false in what l said"
With desperate effort tore myself from
the picture, and we left the room.
81 should like to have that head" said al
length to my host.
Holy Virgin p he replied, in a terrified
tone, and crossing himself devoutly; "you
must be mad to dream of such thing"
Ascending flight of stairs, we entered a
room dimmed and furnished with dust, and
showing signs of disorder, as though it had
been hastily left by its occupant there were
a thousand evidences that this had been
woman's room. On table in the center stood
large frame, containing a piece of embroi
derry, while by its side lay faded silks, and
threads of furnished silver and yellow gold.
associated it instantly with the curiously en-
broidered robes worn by Guandano on the IA
tai night and looked carefully into it. 1t was
thin fabric of bright blue, and in the finish
ed portion were gorgeous leaves and flowers :;
and tiny humming birds, bright as life, peeped
out from among the leaves, or seemed, in the
delicate perfection of their creation, to fly
across the surface of the cloth. A vase of
crystal cased in golden filagree, stood upon
small table from the little heap of dust upon
Its foot, coDjectured that it had held flowers
Stringed instruments of unusual form lay on
one side, and thrown carelessly upon a kind of
divan was something which l imagined to be
black lace mantilla knowing the story as l
did, there was something unutterably pathetic
IN these tokens, and declaring myself satisfied
proposed our return to the city, being fully
determined to visit the house again, alone, at
my earliest opportunity.
The business which | had undertaken was
OF most complicated nature, and would,
soon discovered, keep me in Mexico for al
least year; was satisfied that it should be
so, and leaving the hotel, established myself
In lodging just outside the city.
Though much occupied by business, it was
rarely that week passed without my finding
time to visit Guandano's house, though, after
the first few visits, l resolutely avoided more
than passing glance at the painted head in
the maglcian's room. So surely as | eazed
earnestly upon it, the pleading look stole over
the face, and sweet madness took possession
OF my brain, such as no living woman had
ever caused me. forgot then that looked
upon picture, and longed to press my lips to
hers, to kiss away the tender wistful expires.
sion that could have wept to see. Is it pos
sible that the power of the master of the cham.
Der fingered in it still, and that came under
its influence at such times
The year had more than expired, and still l
was unable to finish my business and to return
to England. had made acquaintance with
several young men of the city, and through
them had been introduced to their families, so
that was by no means lonely, and was not
dlspeased at the prospect OF longer stay in
the pleasant city.
One night in the winter some half-dozen of !
us were returning from a ball, somewhat ex-
hilarated by the scene we had Just Quilted and |
possibly excited by the wine which we had |
drank, when one OF our .partX- -pronosed that |
The proposition was instantly agreed to by all |
but myself and though objected, was weak
enough to be over.persuaded, aud we entered |
the grove leading to the house. 1t was brill |
liant moonlight night, and the scene was al |
most as visible as at midday l remembered |
Temples story, and felt as one in a dream. | |
was reused by the voice of one OF my compan-
ions:
"Come on; let us see who will first dare to
kiss the portrait in Guandano's room"
All laughed but myself; was terrified.
'Do nothing of the kind" l SAID "let US
go back"
go back p was echoed scornfullyi John
son, you are a coward. The old knave took
such Jealous care of his wife while she was liv
ing that one never could touch her hand even;
and now, by all the demons, will kiss her
lips"
"Bravo! bravo!" applauded his compan-
ions, and we continued our walk ; was filled
with nameless horror, and yet was SO fasci-
mated that | could not leave the reckless group.
They burst open the door, and dashed noisi-
ly into the weird chamber but not even the
boldest of them dared advance another step,
for strange sight met their eyes.
The room was filled with light, which yet
did not seem to come from ike moon; for its
pale rays streaming in through the windows
were lost in the blaze. No lamp was visible;
but the fireplace was filled with flames burn
ing silently though intensely upward. Stand
ing near, and examining by its light the con-
tents of small pha, was a majestic figure,
which | knew in a moment to be Guandano.
Sitting, or rather reclining in a low chair on
the opposite side of the fireplace, was the fig
ure OF Inez, radiant in unearthly beauty. |
glanced instinctively at the portrait on the
wall. Merciful Heaven J the frame was emp
ty For one mad moment l saw the yellow
dragons, tiery-tongued, racing on the painted
wall, and tainted.