The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-07-07
The drawing-room. The lights had not been

the drawing-room. The lights had not been
| lit.
| He heard his daughters voice, conversing
with some one; and rs his eyes became ac-
customed to the gloom, he saw u tall, slight
form leaning over the couch where she lay.
~ hear you wanted me, he said, politely.
| GLOW can | serve madame ?"
AT that moment the waitor came in, and
the light fell on Ida's face
''Good Heayens!' said Mr.. Halifax
Ida Have the waves given up the dead ?"
''Is it you-you-you = and the poor wo-
man fell at his feet
''What is the matter, papa?n said Maud,
sobblng. There was good deal Of confusion
at first but finally Ida was restored to her
senses, and then Mr. Halifax explained and
Ida explained.
lie had married Ida Contarin at Venice
twenty years before. A year after their mar
rlagc, Just before the birth of her child, Ida IS
confessor so filled her with fears for her own
soul and that of her child about to be born
that the poor woman almost lost her senses.
She determined to fly and leave no trace by
which she could be recalled. She threw her
veil and mantle out of her gondola, and,
disguised in an ecclesiastical costume, left
Venice. There was 4 rumor that she had
committed suicide. This was industriously
J circulated by the priest; and poor Mr.. Hall
fax left Venice miserable, and convinced
that he was 4 widower Two years after
wards to please his sister, he married a
young English girl, who died in giving birth
to Maud. He thought there was !; curse on
him, and all that he loved should thus be
taken. He consigned Maud to his sister
and spent many years in travelling in Egypt,
India, China, Greece, Syria-everywherc but
ltaly-until he had been summoned home on
account of Maud's health. On growing up
Maud had shown signs of great delicacy.
For the last two years-she was now seven
teen (Drodata was nineteen, but, from her
health and bloom, looked as young, if not
younger, than her younger sisler) :
she had been in Italy. She had regained
a little strength at Florence, had gone out 4
little into society, and met Count Lindau.
1t was well known that she was q rich heir
ess; he had proposed and been accepted.
| Mr.. Halifax, from the moment he had re-
turned from Italy, had become more melan-
choly and gloomy than ever; he seemed
haunted by bitter and undying memories.
He felt that his daughter also would be taken
from him. and shuddered rs he looked at
her. 1t was Il sad home, and Maud had
been naturally pleased at the cheerful. gena
manner Of the young Hungarian, and looked
upon her marriage as in escape from the
ever-deepening gloom of her home.-But,
once the marriage was settled, Lindau be-
came cold and somewhat inattentiye. The
quick instincts Of womanhood told Maud that
she was not loved; she had heard whispers
of Landau's admiration for some beautiful
tlower-girl. When she saw Drodata, she
had an intuitivc knowledge that it was she.
She was thinking of these things that night
when the waiter ushered in Il lady. Ida had
come up to her, and also been struck appar-
emily by Mauds likeness to Drodata.
In her beautiful pathetic voice, Ida had
told Maud the purpose OF her visit,
II have come to save you from a merccn-
ary man, us | would wish any one to come 10
save my child had she seen thus betrayed
and deceived He must lose YOU, rs he has
lost her" 1t was at this point Of the conver-
sation that Mr. Halifax had entered.
Need describe the happiness, tardy us it
was, Of these reunited hearts Need dwell
upon the warmth with which the two sisters
accepted their new relationships Need |
say that Lindau was dismissed2
About a month afterwards, Il carriage on
the Cascnc was the centre of attraction to all
present In it was Miss Halifax and by her
side was a lady of faded but exquisite beauty.
Opposite We're two girls, so alike that, but
for the paler complexion and slighter FORM
tHcs tollu StiItcly ulS bttH klloF II ti'dIl
They were MI IIalitaX's two daughters
''Was not Count Lindau to have married
the pale one once? ?" asked a Young Italian
Of bis friend.
Yes, and Ne was in love with them both,
believe; but he has left Florence now At
present; should say the only man who has
a chance with them is Carlo Malaspna,"
but Malaspina was in love, thought,
with that beautiful Drodata, who was rs
good rs She was beautiful"
''That beautiful Dro'lata is the eldest Miss
Halifax. There was some family quarrel,
and Mrs. Halifax lived away from her hus
band nineteen years. He thought she was
dead and married again. He only knew the
truth 4 month ago"
''What II romance"
Yes; and who could be prctticr hero
inc. than our pretty llower-girl''