Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-02-09
s. What do Won want. Simms ?,

YOU would be pleased to choose 7"
Mrs. ClyttDn descended to the cabin, ore
with two berths in it. A Young lady quite
as elegant in form as herself but with a
face Of but little beauty, save what lay in
her fair blue eyes and its sweet expression.
stood there, patiently waiting.
"Geraldinc, will YOU be so kind as to
choose your berth !"
(Which is the most comfortable !"
Il think that one; it seolns more airy
than this"
..I'll take it, them said Airs. Clytton.
And the young lady mcekly Began to put
her own things upon the other.
For few days there was no great ap-
proach to intimacy. Mr.. Valentia holding
himself aoof. He was deferred to in
every way. the new passengers found and
perhaps if there was one thing held in
more reverence on board than Mr.. Nalen-
tia himself, it was Mr.. Nalentia's ebony
chest that he kept secluded in his cabin,
and before which handsome curtain was
generally drawn. l. was OF Curious value
III itself, that chest,with its elaborate cary
ngs and their a1iuncts of silver.
The Cores had left their only son in a
grave in MADEIRA, whittier they had gone
year before. hoping to prolong his life
So much depended on it. Had he lived
but two months longer, he would have
come into a large fortune, and could have
willcd it to his family. He died, and it
went from them: and the Major was re-
turning to England Il bitterly disappointed
man; returning to poverty and debt, and
all sorts of humiliations, for he had fully
counted on this coming money Tor years.
and had lived accordingly. Mrs Clytton'
his ONLY daughter, had been wife for six
months only, and had been back under her
fathers roof. a widow, these three years
She was fvc-andtwcnty now. aud had no
fortune whatever, but plenty of PRIDE
Auta Gore, an orphan and the Majors
neice. lived with them she possessed about
hundred year, ninety Of which the
Major and Mrs. Gore took. leaving her the
rest for clothes and pocket-money. Telcr-
ated more as dependent than relative
poor Auta had been taught the lesson oI
humility, and had learnt it effectually.
Certainly the ship did not appear to be
lucky one. Contrary weatlle. pursued
it after quitting Madeira, just as it had pre-
yiously: violent head winds on,,tday, utter
calm the next; and the voyage appeared
to be unusually prolonged. 1t seemed to
Mrs Clytton,who was remarkably shrcwd
observer, that some sort of dissatisfaction,
rcigncd amidst the sailors. which was not
allowed to transpire beyond themselves
Meanwhile an intimacy sprung up between
the Cores and the Anglo-Spaniard. rather
remarkable for his previous codness.-
They were together always lie pacing the
deck with one or other of the Young ladies
generally Mrs. Cly'ton at his side OF
sitting under the awning i'll the autumn
sun, while he told them tales of Brazilian
life, And Geraldine Clytton began 10
think the wealthy Don worth her notice.
The hidden treasures of that chest, filled
to its very brim with diamonds and jewels
hoatcd before her in dazzling yision by
night and hy day. Simms had crattily
thrown out delicate questions ON the sub
iect to the servant, Vincent. and he re-
spoudcd without reserve. There We're al
most priceless Jewels. he affirmed; neck
laces, rings. arnilcts, all fit for IL queen +:
one tiara of diamonds was said to be worth
eight thousand pounds. GcradiHa G.ytton
turned half faint with dvlirous hope as
she gathered this and made up her mind
in the consciousness of her Irresistible
charms. to he George Nalentia's second
wife. Not for himself did she care bnt
to be the mistress Of such gems, she would
wcll-nigh lartcr her very soul. The chest
was of curious shape, beautiful as it was,
very long and marrow; and Mrs. Clytton
sometimes saw the sailors look asiance at
it, more in dread thanin admiration. That
some mystery, aud not pleasant one, WAS
connected with it in their minds was evil
dent, and she wondered greatly. Did they
fear temptation Not 50, she. Il would
give all am worth TO lift the lid,' she
passionatcly murmured, gazing at it one
,lav from the cabin door, as it stood reveal
ed behind the undraNn curtain. "And
I'd not go anigh it to he made skipper to-
morrow" shudlcrrd passing sailor, i'll
whose hearing she had unwittingly spoken.
Have You been Ion. i'll the Brazl -
asked Mr.. Gore one day, as they were all
except Mrs. Gore, who suffered from sea-
sickness, sitting on deck, Mr.. Nalentia
leaning over the side in his customary list
less manner while he watched the wares.
Ten years
Ten years of exile! \ short while to
make fortune in; which You have done
| believe !"
A larger fortune than | shall know
how to spend" said Mr.. Nalcntia. I'VE
were originally Spaniards ourselves, and
have connections still in Brazil. so that
went ont under good auspices. The lady
married was also very rich.'
..She must avSslicd Young. lou can
not he more than forty"
Il am thirty-siy. | dare say lock
forty
Geraldine Clytton'S lips parted as she
waited for more. She had become anxious
to know somewhat of his first wife. Major
Gore continued
"What did your wife die Of, Mr. Valen-
tia :"
Mr.. Nalenta extended his arm. 'See
Is that a petrol We shall have bad
weather again
Major Gore took his glass. "Ithinll it's
only il sea gull. Your wife, Mr.. Nalentla'
has hecn dead long -
Mr.. Nalenta turned round and faced tho
Major; his CHunteEance stern. his lips
rdrawn in. "I'a:don me Major Gore, but
l would prefer to speak on some other sub
iect. Thai IS a petrol"
Major Gnre starcd aud bowed. lie wa.
not gifted with superfluous delicacy, and
he presently entered on his questions again
"Whv do the sailors call you Don ~
Mr.. Nalcmtia burst into a laugh. They
know, suppose; don't. Perhaps they
take me for II Spaniard."
i. N,tl,inr less than "A Bou-WLateyeI