The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-25

whispering Of sorTow and death.
., if had but listened if / had but needed
this cry OF my good angel! Looking beyond
the curtain, myself unseen, beheld q man oi
aud noblo presence, yet slightly stopping, and
dressed soberly though richly.
''The queen is surely living woman" he
said. "Who is the maiden ?"
THE queen wears the face of the painters
daughter, my lord" answered the lady with
him.
1T is strange face" mused the noble. 'Do
you ow the ledy?"
"Faith, my lord" she answered haughtily,
''my knowledge lies not among painters or
such-llka. but I have heard Beatrice Damer
say she is somewhat OF witch, aud moody
and silent as oistcred num-"
s'Damerl" re ,e...sd Tho noble; sis she of Zu-
rich ?"
Yes; but her father was noble, exiled
from England"
Pho knight unused moment then said
"And what doth this domoiselle say Of the
painters daughter?"
20, tho maddost thinssl How she falls at
times into trance, or sleep; and in this sleep
she can reveal secrets. interpret dreams, and
foretcll the future. But truly it is somewhat
dangerous 70 speak OF her art. Such powers
can only como OF sorcery."
"rhero are more powers than we wot OF,
lady, returned tho knight; 'the world is
young yet. This girl Is wondrous beautiful,
both III face and form"
20, the Saxon queen hath Beatrice Damer's
shape, my lord. Zillah hath but her face; her
form is thin and somewhat crooked. But what
think you Of the picture ?"
sThe queen shrnks too fearfully from the
ordeal, lady, Being innocent, and full OF faith,
she will tread tho ploug ghshares unscathed, and
her face should DO brave and calm, not fear
full"
''Ah, as her father painted it at first. But
mcthinks the horror and fear OF pain depicted
in the Queen is more natural, said the lady.
''Not to that iace," returned tho knight.
"rhe vouGS painter understands not the wo-
man he has painted"
''Wel l. as woman, say should fear hor-
ribly the red-hot iron; and | think the queens
face would have looked as tho young Ambrose
hath limled it."
sMadar.. had You bocn the queen it would
havo looked SO, said the knight.
Then they moved away; and hoard the rus
tie OF the ady's rich robe, aud the stately tread
OF the noble, as they passed through our poor
doorway.
$50 1 am croshod and witch, u said to N.Y.
SELF bitterly. "What have done to Beatr!cc
Damer that she should take away my gGoa
name? ?"
And for tho first time / ovll'wishcd her, and
longed IN my heart that were indeed WITCH.
''Zillah /" cried the voice OF Ambrose. Startl-
ed looked up, and saw hlm 1T the curtain,
holding it aside as he stood. Ho was pale, aad
though be smiled his lip tiemblod.
81 am sorry thou hast hoard this" nc SAID.
"Thou art not. SO crooked, Zllah, as the
!ady's speech. 1t was empty babbo, child;
naught else"
swered calmly. 'But tell me, Ambrose, DO J.
seem to thee n witch ?'
flush !" ho answered; "I wonder Beta hath
uttered such cruel giddy words"
And for the first tims since l had grown
woman, he fixed his eyes on mo without that
stony look in them that chilled me.
Poor caild |" lie said softly "Eo, thou art
no witch, Zl!ah I swear it," -,
Thon he let the curtain drop; and with
burning glow upon my cheek rose, and nov
ing it gently, watched hlm as hc went away.
"No, not witch and yet II, by some
witchcraft, I could only make him love ne !"
And sitling down again, L pondered IA nay
loneliness on unlawful thiags-en spells and
sorcery, and that weirdness in my blood that
made me differ frem other Maidens.
III.
The next day my tathor shut his studio
against al comers.
o w %@s s...a goashG it would not
have it shown"
Then I hoard this was the noble whose voice
had startled me and ho had made nay father
great offers to come to England, and paint the
ceilings OF stately castle which he had newly
built. 49,
"Thou wilt not 20 to England, father ?"
"Why nol?o ho answered angrily. ''It is q
rich country, and his count pays like prince.
Sec what he hath given me for my Saxon
quaen."
Ho showed mo great purse OF gold; but l
turned my eyes from it, shudderins.. A voice
in INV heart told me this was the price OF my
blood, and 1 oathcd the sight of it's glitter. -,
"Whore shall live III thy absence, father I?
I said, timidly, hoplug the hand OF fate would
spare me.
"Thou goost with me, Zlllah," he answered;
'srhis nslish noble saith there is room, ana
to spare, lu his goodly castle Oh the Avon.
1 knew it before he spoke; yet now l grew
faint, aud shadow like the shadow OF death
"I,et me stay in Zurich, father" cried.
"Let me stay in Zurich and live."
Life and health are as sound and safo II
Eaeland as elsewhere, gentle dsmsel," sad
VOICE.
And turning, saw the English noble stand
ing courteeusly in our doorway. de was o
tall stature and fair pale lace, his nose hlgh
aad hooked, his beard black, but his eyes lish
hazel. thought hm evll-lookln%, yet Tue
world called him handsome; so let 1t STAND
fiat he was handsome, snd-and noble, slnc:
all say 80. ,y
Lie is not safe there for me, my lord"
said to him in my mothers tongue; Tor nave
seen in viaion IL man like thee tempting lie
into sorc"rles and death.
His light eyes spariiled 1T this, and bending
his lace near to mine, he answered IN SOL
tones:
elish !? That is we'll. Zlllah, came hithel
oplv 70 seek thee. On thy mothers SIDE We
arc akin" ,.,.4,
~ AN onlI poor painters daughter,
said, shrinking from bis outstretched hand.
"rhera is wlich's blood in thee. ZiIlah, ant
blood is stronger thar water even II 1t De hoil
water" he answered; land through that bloot
I claim theo Thy mothers motaer was III.
| prsnddame's sister. Thou must como 10 Eng
| land. girl; there is no escape for tnee. Mec
me at sunset on the bridge, and VIII tell 'ne'
more"
Tkeu he talked to my father of our journey
and, scarcely glancipg again at me, he DC
parted. r;,.. .,t .
the SIM went down, l felt upon my heart, as
we're. cords of fire, AMI these drew me Iorth
and set mo ih that maa's presence: He TOO
p,e by the hand, and led me to i little Knoll o
the lake. whcro pnctrees grow. Hcfo We s'.I
and he discoursed long on straEse tnlnsS'
the power TO be gained by fasting ara Ha'cl
ing, Oh spells, Oil the secrets hldue.. III l.. :.
earth and air, on the cnciiahthl:n' ~ ~
wrorrl,t by tho eye and the hsad anu ia
vaviaa arms, aad Oil that mystic lorcc Ill u
voica aud tLc prescuce OF l kins'y man WHO
make othel mems souls o1e6;eRi TO ms.
Noycr had lips spoken TO ine as tilis man
!i,.,. and as l listened to words that SCENE