The mountain Democrat., 1863-01-10

vi laISel " my IIIleSi 1 CaHnOL love you
less. am still yours, and you will still
DO mine'
There was thick crust of snow upon
all the gable roofs of Delft; the canals
we're frozen; thick ice blocked up the river.
The six months had passed; Maria was
still ct her easel. There we're no lilies 10
be had now, only those upon her panel,
perfected; SO close were they to nature, it
seemed not possible to carry imitation
further. She was employed in painting a
folded drapery of stamped puce colored
s+os'es7ts --h'e hA"k-@ro"nd Of her wce,>7S2''
She seemed paler than ever now, and an
air of fatigue and suffering haunted her
face; yet she worked on her old placid,
simple, hearty way: the tiny pencils
moved to and fro as steadily and persevc-
ringly as ever.
six months to-day she once murmur-
ed, halting but for moment, only to re-
sumo again with a redoubled energy. But
step on the stairs soon set her hand
trembling and her heart beating. She was
compelled to desist. Wilhelm entered
splendidly handsome in green velvet, with
q teick studding Of small geld buttons, a
sweeping white feather in his hat, a gilt
tering sword-belt, and heavy fur trimming
on bis cloak. There was q triumphant
flush upon his face as he walked rapidly
towards Maria.
You have come, then, Wilhelm she
said.
TO claim fulfilIment Of your promise,
dearest
She fixed her glance earnestly upon his
face, gazing into his eyes, as though to
read the truth in them.
You have fulfilled YOUR promise, Viii.
helm; you have been true to art; you have
worked sedulously, for six hours day at
least, uninterruptedly, without quitting
your studio; you have been true TO your
self and to me?'
Wilhelm bowed his glossy head affirm
atively before her. He looked very superb
indeed. Maria turned away her glance !;
she was shivering with nervous agitation
rot cold, as he thought.
'And may trust my happiness to your
keeping?' she continued, still looking
down.
Dearest Maria, swear that you shall
never repent so doing
And he twirled the ends Of his ample
moustache, and busted his beard with q
broidered kerchief, which, tucked in his
doublet, had been adding to the curve of
his massive chest.
Maria started back from HIM, and an
angry light cleaned in the blue eyes won
tedlv SO soft and gentle. 1t was like fork
ed lightning breaking out suddenly on a
calm summer skv.
Wilhelm, you would scorn to play with
coggcd dice you would beat to the earth
any one who said you tricked at cards !;
you would condcscend to dupe no man.
Why, then, do you come here to me with
lie upon your lips why seek to cheat
me? What have | ever done that you
should turn against me thus? Is it be-
cause | am weak, and q woman, that |
am to be treated with falSehoodS-won by
fraud?'
Wilhelm, amazed, puzzled, cmbarrass-
ed looked at her. He put forth his hand
imploringly; he sought to speak; she
waved back his approaches by an angry
gesture. You would not have thought
such fury could have possessed her. The
lily was whirling in tempest.
You know that you have broken
every letter Of your promise /; you know
that your every act Of late has been
q falsehood to me; you know that dare
not confde my happiness in your hands;
that you are utterly unworthy such a
trust. This is nothing. You have .
right to act as you will. To stain your
name, your genius, your art, with mire,
il you will it is not for me to call for an
account. But to act thus shamefully, and
crown that shame with . lie, to me, to
me, who, God knows, never would or
could have done you wrong-Wilhclm,
Wilhelm, it is too much!"
There were tears now upon her checks
like rain.drops on lily.
Wilhelm stood speechless, abashed, and
angry. His position was humiliating
enOugh-to cheat, and to be found out
too! Yet be tried to pluck up heart
and sturdy lying seemed his safest course
so his weak, false mind suggested.
You wrong me, indeed, indeed"
Stop, she cried, putting her hands to
her ears and shut out his words. No
more; you have lied enough. Look
hereF and she pointed to the window
post there were hundreds ofsstreaks Of
lily white. Each time you have failed
in your promise, have registered the
failure here. You have been absent from
your studio; you have been idle !; you
have been gaping at the window, or idling
at the Golden Calf He'll has been with
you, and BrOcken, and Wander Noove, and
% Wilhelm-others who never should
have been and q blush crossed her
cheek; it was as q sunset on q lily; and
you have painted worthless pictures. You
know it none better. Oh, in thousand
ways, you have been false; and here, see,
here's the record
In Wilhelm's culprit face, midst ell his
shame and confusion, yet fingered an in
terrOgative: How did you know ell this ?
She read it in his looks, without needing
his words.
MY studio is opposite to yours ; can
see you from here as we'll as you can sec
me from there
Yet your back was always turned
She could not help smiling, it was such
q wretched, pitiful, schOOl-boy plea.
You forget the mirror! With that in
front of me, had no need to turn
Wilhelm stamped on the ground with
rage and disappointment, cursing thous-
and times his own stupidity.
'Adieu Maria Won Oosterwyck.'
GAdiouI Wilhelm Won alctt
Utterly crushed and mortified he moved
to the door. There he stood for q mo.
ment, rallied a little, and with a feeble,
broken swagger, with an attempt to con-
jure back something of his old grand man.
ner, whispered softly, and there is no
hono Maria -