The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-06-27

the spot where the beautiful girl first offer |
ed the rose to the idiot boy. At the same |
Alma Airted past as young and
lovely as she then appeared. The physi. |
clan stood amazed, and undefnable sensa-
ton passed over his soul! Again the lovely !
apparation stood before him, then gil led |,
away and was seen no more. He gazed as
one absobred in reveries and dreams OF
days bone by. With start he returned to
active, living consciousness.
Yes! He was the nnce idiot boy. This
sudden apr aration of his former benefac-
tress, and the association Of his boyhood,
swept like an avalanche, over his mind;
and reason once more, for a moment, totter-
ed on her throne. 1t was difficult to con
vince himself that he was awake There
was the villa; there the lovely lawn, the
elm and linden trees, the garden filed with
choice flowers, and that fioml Surely it
was Alma, her tan ible, living self! But
she had married and gone away long years
before. No intelligence of her had since
ben received, and the villa had long been
occupied by strangers. All was most in
com prcbensible and mysterious.
Abstracted and moody he returned to
New York, where his II other kept house
for him. With much concern she saw his
troubled state of mind. and sought to as
certain its cause: but his replies were vague
and unsatisfactory He resumed his prac-
tice, but a shaie of thought rested on his
brow, which he could not dispel. As if i'm
PEELED thither py some influence he could
not control, he sought the villa as often as
his professional dnties permitted his absence.
and began to think he must have been mad
or dreaming, to imagine he had seen A|mr'
appariton behold! the beautiful
creature of his waking and sleeping dreams,
was once more before him!
She stopped and plucked bud from the
identical stem, whence she had gathered the
youthful, lovely being as then; while hewa
spect changed from his former SELF He
retained his self-possession and pronounced
her name. She turned and smiled, but did
not appear to recognize him.
Excuse me, sir, you are q stranger
See, my uncle is coming, if you wish to see
him" and in an instant she bounded to her
relations side.
He was venerable man, with white hair
and most prepossesslng countenance. LUIS
stood moment embarrassed; but, on the
gentleman approach, fastened to salute
him, and to apologize for his apparent rude
ness
Only few words of explanation were
necessary. As they walked up the avenue
towards the house, another female form
emerged from vine covered arbor and stood
before them. She closely resemhlcd the
maiden Luis had addressed as Alma, J"
and appeared almost as lovely and youth
iul
Earnestly he gazed from one to the other
They were living palpable forms or beauty,
lovely resemblenccs of each other in every
respect, except the eye-one was bright
and flashing with intcllgence-the other Sc
rene and inanimate. Both were "Alma"
mother and daughter!
Then the physician felt and com pretended
al. He felt himself an intruder, and ex-
cluimed:
"Pa, don me. Sir lave sinned through
idle curiosity. | know all. Suffer me to
take my leave.
Indeed, tits not so,' replied the old
gentleman, "you must remain our guest. |
have occupied this villa but short time,
and though personally unknown to you,
am most anxious for your acquaintance,
knowing you already, by repute, as a worthy
| and skillful physician. Come, let us sit on
the verandah, sheltered from the sun. "
| The conversation that ensued was of alb
sorbing interest, particularly to the physi
clan. Its results may be cleaned hereafter.
| CHAPTER III.
Alma life, from the time of her mar
riage, was one of very httle interest: hel
mind became impaired. The malady grad
ually increased upon her after the birth o
her daughter. Every means for her restor.
alton to health was restored to, but in vain
her husband conceiv'd the ider of repur
chasing the villa in which her CHILDHOOD
had been spent, hoping that the associations
of the place, so dear to her, might recall he
to mt mory and reason. Before, however
he could carry out his intention, he died
and left his wife and child to the care OF hi
long absent brother, just returned to Amer
lea aftery arsspent in Europe. This broth
er speedily carried out the intentions Of tn
ceased. bought this villa where he wa
born, and retired hither wish his poor, be
nigl ted sist,r and her child.
He, in his youth, had married nameles
orphan, Spanish girl, stolen from her re
latives by tr be of Gitanos; by which &C
he so incurred his fathers displeasure, tha
he became exlled from home and country
|. Devotedly attached to his "Gipsy Vie,
he struggled manfully against adverse ciI
cumstances. His affection was fully return
ed. and forsome time they enjoyed the CON
/ forts of home, sustained by his industry
but an evil hour approached. The revolt
tion ragged. The conscription passed non
} who were unable to provide substitute
| and so he was torn from his weeping brid
] t,,.
years. He hastened home as soon as he wa
4 released from soldiers duty. Scared
4 many hard fought battle. His wife wa
f missing! Too proud to appeal to his tathe
s he remained abroad, seeking wealth an
= happiness among strangers, and, havln
found one hut not the other, he returned
his old age to the homestead of his fathe
Q The old man s acquaintance with our ph.
a sician ripened into cordial friendship, ar
r Luis was once mere constant guest at 81
r villa, He felt that the widowed and afflic
= ed Alma hal become victim TO her III
, weared exertions in his behalf He wou
S have been willing to 60 back to his form
S state of darkness of mind, could that hay
g avaied to restore her, but though he mour
cd over her sad fate, he could not help he
$ Gradually he became fascinated with tt
i younger and happier Alma. He was
o bachelor of thirty, and she fair girl
l. scarce sixteen summers, yet he felt in b
d irish, manly vigor that there was no dispa
:, ity in their yealn 70 prevent her from
r coming his bride. The gentle girl recipr
d catek his passion, and the uncle conse
was orly wanting to complete their hapI
e ness. As much with a view to broach Il
) subject of marriage, as to enjoy the socie
} as to father the physician invited him
e his residence in New York. The veter,
!. was speedily reposing on lounge in
:; young friends dwelling. The physician 9
is tered with his mother, and the usual alnt
le tions were exchanged with some formalit
n Presently their eyes met, and they rush
into each other aims.