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

sure, he thought. Then, aloud, II
have several fine specimens of the IRA
t"lrs ""rissimus you will be seated.
| will produce them
Miss Montague drew the sweeping
houuces Of her rich silk dress from
contlguty with a dirty rabbit hutch.
aud seated herself upon a cage contain.
ing MarmOsct monkeys Presently the
old naturalist returned; aud Maud start.
ed as she saw that the nexuous folds of
serpent were twncd about his arm.
while his fingers tightly clutched the
nape OF the glittering reptile.
This is the finest rattlcsuukc in NV
objection, madam"
But it is tangcss or you would poi
dare touch it," said Maud, derisively
You are in error. modlm would
not loose my present hold Of it Tor all
the worlds riches; for no earthly pow
er could save my lIic OF it once struck
me" he answered
1t is beautiful creature | will
purchase it it you will carefully inclose
1t 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
lusIng to barter it, tearing his visitor
was insane; but his cupidty got ;hc
better OF his principle, and 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
| have now whercwth to accomplish
my revenge muttcrcd Maud, us 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 iD
the later's boudolr during the dusk
hour
Has he?-theu suppose you are
happy p replied Maud, with attempted
nonchalance, though she tweaked the
beak of tame cockatoo, genuine
specimen from Australia, that had perch
ed upon the marble mantle, until it Ut
tered shrlIl shrek of anger.
During the evening, Maud was unus
uaIly retlcent. She was lrigidly civil
to her late lover; but it was evident
she was terribly chagrined at his having
transferred his affections to her cousin.
At late hour she left the room. went
to her own apartment, aud carefully
concealing the snakes small cage under
Il shawl which she threw over her
alabaster shoulders, descended to the
hall. Cecll'S overoOat aud hat were
hanging near the door. The servants
were below, and there was no pryin.
gaze TO detect her moments. Extend.
lng the oritice Of the side pocket OF
Frmstone coat, she inserted the box,
swiftly untastened the catch which kept
down the lid, shook the reptile into the
recess beneath, withdrew the case, and
unbuttoned the lapel Of the pocket.
Then she replaced the box in her room,
and returned to her friends.
Mr. Firmstone rose to pay his adicus,
prior to taking his departure. He look.
ed so handsome US he babe good night"
to Maud, that she half repented the
step she had taken, aud felt almost in
cllnel 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 % she
thought.
Emily accompanied Cecil to the door
il lovers privilege.
With terrible anxiety, Maud awaited
some sign that the reptile had done its
work
"Ah !"
The half suppressed exclamation
reached her where she sat, aud she
trcmbled in every limb, 1t was Cecil'S
Voice, and she ianced the death blow
had been struck.
"What was the matter, Emily?
heard MIR. Firmstoue utter cry oi
pain, she said, when her cousin re eu
tered the room
\ cruel pin sticking in his coat
pocket, tore his han /, poor fellow. lie
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 IA swiIter death than
that" thought Maud.
" lie viii be dead ere morning
dawns !"
There's divinity that shapes our
ends, rough hew them how we may"
When Maud retired to her chamber.
aud commenced her nocturnal toilet, the
pretty cockatoo located in her boudoir,
instead OF sleeping like respectable
bird, SO annoyed her with his ceaseless