Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-05-21

pretexts which most young ladies would
have invented on tho instant. Her
mothers authority was needed to van.
quish her instructive resistance. Herp
lude testified TO some unwonted agitation
its first notes reused the Jew from his
reverie soon she recovered herself, and
her visible emotion did but add q fresh
charm to the habitual expression of her
singing. @ @
Suddenly she stopped short, declaring
that her memory failed her.
Then, to our great astonishment, rich
and harmonious voice was heard, and
Ellen continued, accompanied by the
finest tenor ever listened 70 in NY life.
The baron bit his lips; Werter was pale
with surprise. The warmest applause
followed the conclusion of the beautiful
duet.
Malthus had risen from his chair. and
seemed entirely under aspell Of harmony.
He gave some advice TO Ellen, who
listened to him with avidity; he even
made her repeat passage which she
afterwards sang with admirable express
sion. He took her hand almost with
enthusiasm, and exclaimed, II thank
you."
Very odd indeed" said the baron. Poor
Wertcr said nothing. but went and sat him
self down, very pensive, at the further
end of the drawing-room.
Mrs. Muller was adiant at her daughters
success. As to Ellen, she merely said,in
low voice
"If had instruction, should perhaps
be able 10 make something Of music"
with your mothers permission" re-
joined Malthus. 81 shall have pleasure in
sometimes accompanying YOU"
Mrs. Muller cast scrutinizing glance
at the jew, whose countenancc, which
had resumed its habitual calmness,
showed nothing that could excite her
suspicious. She judged that such man
was not at all dangerous, and accepted
his offer. Malthus bowed with cold
dignity--loubtlcss appreciating the mo-
tive of this confdence-and Ellen struck
few notes. to divert attention from her
embarras assment
The baron, who sought vent for his
illhumor, said to the young girl, pointing
10 the Jews stick
"If anything should halt in the accom-
paniment. there is what will restore the
measure
Ellen rose, cast look 81 the baron,
which meant, Zone meets people like you
everywhere and left the TO ON. Nautilus
took up newspaper, and read until We
separated for the night
The Jew led the regular life Of a man
who knows the value Of time. He worked
until noon, paid or received few visits,
went upon Change at about two o'clock.
then shut himself up in his apartment and
was visible to nobody, and at precisely
four O'Clock entered Mr.. Mullcr's room,
where Ellen awaited him at the piano. 1t
was easy to see that he daily assumed a
greater ascendancy over the mind Of his
pupil, whose progress was rapid.
When Malthus smiled, Ellen's charm
ing countenance assumed IN indescribable
expression of satisfaction; but as soon as
he relapsed into his habitual thoughtful
mood, the poor girls soul appeared sus-
pended in sympathetic medium; she
saw nothing, answered nobody,-in n
word, she instinc,ively assimilated her
self to the mysterious being whose in
fiuence governed her. When Malthus
leaned on his cane in walking, Ellen
seemed to say, my arm would support
him SO wellr
The Jew, however, did not limp dis
agreeably; his left leg was well formed,
and his symmetrical figure showed the
disturbance in its harmony to have been
the result of an accident. He had the
appearance Of having long become
reconciled to his infrmity, like q soldier
who considers his wounds glorious
evidence of his devotion to his country.
had more than once felt tempted to
ask Nautilus the history of his lameness {;
but he eluded with so much care every
approach to the subject that | deemed
myself obliged to respect his secret.
Two months passed thus, and had
opportunity of appreciating all the right
mindedness. generosity, and enlighten-
ment that dwelt in the acceptable part of
that extraordinary soul. In presence Of
this dangerous rival, who triumphed
without struggle, the baron became
almost tender. His self-love cruelty
suffered to see preferred to him lame
merchant with a fine voice. He some
times attempted to quiz him but Nautilus
confounded him so completely by the
aptness of his retorts, that the laughers
were never on the side of the baron.
One night, that the family party was
assembled, Werter approached Mr.. Mul
Ter with a suppliant air. and delivered to
him a letter from his father. The poor
young mans agitation made me suspect
that the letter contained a proposal. Mr..
Muller read it with attention and handed
it to his wife, who rapidly glanced over
it and cast . scrutinizing glance at her
daughter, to make sure whether or no