The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-01-05
Select Story.
A SUBTLE SCHEME.

near you are gong 10 marry my
cousin, Emily Seymour, Mr. Firmstonc.
Men are very tickle. Scarcely two
mouths ago you were languishing at
my feet utteriug VOWS Of coustancy; and
when | broke off our engagement, you
talked about hiding your sorrows 10 an
early grave, and nonsense of that sort
Emily is skillful angler; she has caught
her fish cleverly. | fear the barbcd
hook, matrimony, will hurt the poor
creature, nevertheless, said Maud Mon
tague, addressing handsome young
gentleman who had lounged into pic
ture gallery.
Her pretty upper lip curled as she
spoke, her dark eyes flashed, aud the
tone other voice was harshly unpleasant
"A man has to steel his heart occa.
sionally, Miss Montague. Some disap
pointments are hard to contend against,
but a sensible man battles them bravely
down. You compelled Tie TO resign ali
claim to your hand; afterward, | with.
drew my love Of my own free will. Can
you blame me for so doing ?" replied
Firmstone, softly, bat with calm dig.
nifty.
"No, could pity you now, if you
deserved compassion. You do not un
derstand Emily yet. When the sun
shine of her smiles gives place to the
tempest Of her anger, so much the worse
for you" answered Maud, sneeriugly.
ns with scornful action she swept from
the gallery.
Maud Montague was the only daugh
ter Of a wealthy merchant in New York
Her mother was Of Spanish extraction;
and it seemed as it the fiery Castilian
spirit had been inherited by her daugh-
ter, for she was passionate and jealous
in the extreme.
Mr.. Cecil Firmstoue was stock bro.
ker, who by shrewdness, had amassed
considerable fortune, and by fair dealing
and integrity, had won the esteem OF
all those with whom he associated. At.
tracted by the peerless beauty of Miss
Montague, he had woed her for his wife,
and she had consented to marry him;
but soon her passionate aud dictatorial
temperament caused quarrel between
them. She gave him his dismissal, and
the betrothal was annulled
Maud little thought that she would
lose him forever, or her action would
have been less hasty. She imagined
his love for her would be invigorated by
temporary estrangement; aud that ere
long he would supplicate forgiveness for
his uneommitted fault, and be still more
docile in the future. Therefore she
was msdly incensed when she heard he
vas engaged to her cousin Emily, and
her vindictive spirit prompted her to
revenge herself for what she was pleased
60 consider his mutability.
Emily Seymour, although coeval with
her cousin, was of very different IA
ture. She was an orphan dependent
upon her uncle (Maud's futher,) er
only inheritance being her beauty, aud
sweet gentle temper. She had much
compunction, ut first, in accepting the
addresses Of Cecil Firmstoue, fearing
her cousin might consider she had sup
planted her; but Cecil assured her SO
positively that his old love had died
ont, aud that there was no possibility of
the breach between Maud aud himself
ever being closed, that she was fain to
obey the dictates Of her pure, warm
little heart, and bethrothed herself to
the man she had long regarded with
admiration.
He shall not live to wed her. |
have loved him, but now hate aud de
spise him." murmured Maud, as she
descended the stairs of the picture gal.
lery, subsequent to her interview with
her late lover.
In no very enviable frame Of mind,
she walked rapidly across Union Square
muttering her plan Of revenge, nursing
the wrath in her bosom until it fired
and maddened her.
Pursuing her way, she presently turned
into by-street, and halted before the
door Of . shop, the windows of which,
being filled with stuffed animals and
birds, indicated il was tepanted by u
naturalist. She read the name upon
the sign, and entered the place.
You are the proprietor of this es.
adjustment, l prespme;" she said, in
terrogatively, TO weazep.f faced old
man. ~
Yes. ma'am. What can l do for
you I! he replied, gancing instinctively
toward wicker-basket containing a
litter Of Pomerapian puppies.
!. am studying itbynology, and |
Maud.
smiles.
= have some specimens, madam. Of