The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-01-05

sure, ne thought. Then, aloud, al
have several fine specimens of the Gro
tairs durissimus Ifyou will be seated,
| will produce them"
Miss Montague drew the sweeping
flouuces Of her rich silk dress from
contiguity with dirty rabbit hutch,
and seated herself upon a cage contain.
ing Marmoset monkeys. Presently the
old naturalist returned; and Maud start.
ed as she saw that the fexuous folds Of
a serpent were twined about his arm,
while his fingers tightly clutched the
nape of the glittering reptile
This is the finest rattlcsuake in my
collection, madam"
But it is fangless OF you would not
dare touch it," said Maud derisively
You are in error, modam. | would
not loose my present. hold Of it for all
the worlds riches for no earthly pow
er could save my life OF it ouce struck
me-" he answered.
1t is beautiful creature | will
purchase it if you will carefully iuclose
it in box Tor me. You car name
your own price" she added, seeing the
man hesitate.
The naturalist seemed amazed beyond
expression. He was on the point OF re
iuslug to barter it, fearing his visitor
was insane; but his cupidity got the
better OF his principle, aud he shut up
the serpent in small case, fastened the
lid securely down, received payment
for it, aud bowed the fair girl out Of his
shop.
81 have now wherewith to accomplish
my revenge" muttcred Maud, as she
took her place in cab.
Uncle has asked Cecil to dine with
US to day." said Emily Seymour to her
cousin, as the two girls were sitting in
the htter's boudoir during the dusk
hour
Has he?-theu l suppose you are
happy ?" replied Maud, with attempted
nonchalanee, though she tweaked the
beak Of tame cockatoo, a genuine
specimen from Australia, that had perch.
ed upon the marble mantle, until it ut.
tered a shrill shrek Of anger.
During the evening, Maud was unus.
ually reticent. She was lrigidly civil
to her late lover; but it was evident
she was terribly chagrined ut his having
transferred his affections to her cousin
A. a late hour she left the room, went
TO her own apartment, aud carefully
concealing the snakes small cage under
a shawl, which she threw over her
alabaster shoulders, descended 10 the
hall. Cecils overooat aud hat were
hanging near the door. The servants
were below, and there was no pryiug
gaze to detect her moments. Extend.
Ing tho orifce Of the side pocket OF
Firmstone's coat, she inserted the box,
swiftly unfastened the catch which kept
down the lid, shook the reptile into the
recess beneath, withdrew the case, aud
unbuttoned the lapel Of the pocket.
Then she replaced the box in her room,
aud returned to her friends.
MIR. Firmstone rose to pay his adieus,
prior to taking his departure. He look.
ed SO handsome as he babe good night
to Maud, that she half repented the
step she had taken, and felt almost in
clinel to warn him of his peril; but at
that moment she caught her cousins
eye, and all her jealousy returned.
GOOD night the last time he will
ever utter these words to me p she
thought.
Emily accompanied Cecil to the door
IA lovers privilege.
With terrible anxiety, Maud awaited
some sign that the reptile had done its
work.
"Ah p
The half suppressed exclamation
reached her where she sat, aud she
trembled in every limb. 1t was Cecil's
voice, and she iancied the death blow
had been struck.
"What was the matter, Emily? l
heard Mr.. Firmstone utter cry of
pain, she said, when her cousin re Gu
tered the room.
"A cruel pin sticking in his coat.
pocket, tore his haul, poor fellow. He
assured me that it was mere scratch
he received, but the wound bled quite
freely. hope it will not produce
tetanus," replied Emily.
1t will produce swifter death than
that" thought Maud.
He will be dead ere morning
dawns
"Tbere's divinity that shapes our
ends, rough hew them how we may"
When Maud retired TO her cham Der,
aud commenced her nocturnal toilet, the
pretty cockatoo located in her boudoir,
instead OF sleeping like respectable
bird, SO annoyed her with his ceaseless
chaltering, that in order to quiet him,
she brought him into her bedroom, and
perchlng him upon u towel. horse, babe
him court repose at once.
Maud's luxuriunt tresses, black as
ravens wings, fell 10 wavy proiusion
over her sloping shoulders and she
was complacently admiring while ar
ranging them, though wondering, mean.
while, whether he who had so lately
toyed with them might not be then in
the throes Of death, when shrill, dis.
cordant cry from Tippoo Sahib-who,
leaving his rest, circlcd once in the air,
aud then dashed, hawk like, down on
some unseen foe-startled her.
The bird futtcred, aud wrestlcd on
the floor, and Maud few to his aid,
fearing he was 10 6t, but she recoiled
when she saw that his strong beak was
Il IL -.