The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-09-20
TIE RED PICTURE
BY NJ. w.

Guy Chevenix went up the spiral
staircase with me. | could not resist
the feeling of dislike which had taken
for him at the instant Of my arrival,
and which now, at the sight of his tall,
slender figure ascending so stealthily
ahead, WAS increased ten-fold. ] think
| feared him. had not sat calmly I'M
der those steelgray eyes, which even
as l went behind him yet seemed peep
ing at me from their corners over his
shoulders. / had not been able to un-
close those narrow pink lips whose
memory still filled NE with loathing.-
| had recoiled through the whole in
terview from those dry, crisp whis-
kers; running like dead, upwholesome
ivy up the sides Of his faded face, from
that cold, iron gray hair, resting like
hoar-frost upon his head.
They said he was young in years,
though prematurely old in everything
else. could well believe it, despite
his appearance. The used-up and
WORKOUT air only told the story more
plainly.
We reached the room at last, and
went in; and hardly had he crossed
the sill, when be suddenly turned and
motioned me to q seat. / looked into
his stern eyes for some explanation,
but they were fathomless as ever. His
lips only had paled a little, and quiv-
cred visibly as they coiled themselves
apart from his small, white teeth.
"Attend me, Lyncroft," he said, when
had obeyed his first gesture. "You
know very well that, were it not i'm
possible, you would be taken to some
other chamber than this. But every
hole in the house is occupied, and I am
compelled to use the privilege of old
friendship and put you here. Any one
of the fools down stairs would go away
aggrieyed if were to propose a thing
of the sort to him but you have sense
enough to comprehend the circum-
stances, believe, and l trust will en-
deavor to make yourself comfortable
until I can do better.o
While he had been speaking, my
sight had been fascinated to the wall
beyond him. A picture hung there
the portrait of one of Peter LeIy's
court beauties but the frame, strange
ly enough, was not of gilt, but of deep
crimson. SO startled was I, that for q
moment, l could not take my eyes
away, and could not answer his, ques-
ton.
However, I partly game to myself
and said, candidly, "Chevenix, it is
perfectly absurd to offer me an apology
about any such matter as what sort OF
q room l am given while I stop with
you. Certainly, every thing seems
comfortable about here; a good bed, d
desk, washstand, and, better than
all, q remarkably curious picture
Copy, isn't it?"
He shivered slightly, as 1 spoke the
last words, but / noticed with some
wonder, did not turn toward the pic.
ture as he made his reply.
eyes," he answered, in short, SHARP
sentences, ga copy. Done by an Ital.
ian. Formerly my music master. You
remember, L>suppose, the story. Eve
rybody knows it. But let US say nc
more Of the matter now. It's rather
painful to me, Lyncroft."
I besought forgiveness for having
made my thoughtless reference, but he
impatiently cut me short by going te
the door.
~ hope you viii rest well tonight
This part Of the house is rather dreary
but you've got rid of all the nonsense
in your character by this time, eh 2
Till dinner, theny'
And he left me. I sat down very
calmly to think of the matter of which
he had spoken. Every circumstance
came back yiyidly to my mind.
Six years ago, Guy Cheyenix had
married a beautiful girl of seventeen
The match was not one of affection
for he was man born only to be fear.
ed; and, as he often said, quoting Ma
chiavel, to be feared was better than te
be loved, A few months had scarcely