The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-02-24
Her smile startled the. 1t seemed to

remove the medicines which other ply
siciaus had ordered, as | was satisfied
they were doing her no goud.
She thanked me with gushing graft
tude. But, would leave any medicine
" For the present." told her, IL
will leave only little wine, Have you
objections to that I"
She had noue at all.
In the hail | met her father. To
his anxious inquiries | could ouly ans
wer that | would call again on the NOR.
row. l told him his daughter had no
organic disease-I was sure oft. This
gave him hope
On the following day saw Cordelia
Gregory again, and speut another hour
by her side.
So, for week, | visited her daily,
should have been less than human, had
| not iu that time learned to love the
sweet, geutle natured girl. Had my
heart been already anothcrs, | should
at least have given her sisters place !;
but my heart had been all niue own
until she possessed it.
Aud iu a weeks time she had come
to welcome ne with brighter kindling
Of the azure eyes, aud warmer flush OF
the ildiug cheeks Aud yet during all
this time | had been utterly unable to
analyze her disease. She was falling
just as the ripping brooklet fails when
its fountain was drying up.
"On my seventh visit, as | sat by her
side, with her haud in mine, drew her
nearer to my bosom, aud eagerly cried 4:
Codelia, oh, for my sake live !"
She answered
g have not cared to live until now
but il is too late too late am dy-
ing-dying dying !"
She wept upon my bosom,
| knew that moment that Corlelia
Gregory was the victim oil some strange
halluclnltion. Something was wearing
her life away through her Imagination.
She had made up her mind to die,
aud nature was gradually but surel
succumbiug 10 the mental force. | dar
ed not then question her.
When | next joined her father | ask
ed him if his daughter had any female
friend whom she particularly trusted as
copfidante.
There was one-a Mary Lakin-who
has recently removed to distant part
nf the country. She and Cordeia had
been like sisters until two months when
tho removal OF Mary had separated
them.
We must send for Mary Lakin,"
said |, 'aud | must see her before she
sees our patient"
Mr. Gregory was ready to do any,
thing. Mary Lakiu was sent for, aud
she came-a bright faced true hearted
girl-just such one as | should have
supposed would win the confidence and
love OF Cordelia.
sat down with her aud gave her to
understand what wished. She started
when told her what thought was the
matter with her friend aud after liz.
tie reflection she laid her haud upon my
arm aud looked up earnestly iuto my
face.
Doctor" she said, ~ am reminded
of a circumstance which had almost
slipped my memory; but your fears for
COrdelia brings it back very wildly to
my mind.
She then told me that nearly n year
before band OF gipsies had been Gu
camped on the outskirts of the town, ,
and Que Of their number was au old
Sibyl-a dark eyed, weird faced woman,
whose whole make up was awe inspiring
aud MYSTERIOUS woman who told for.
tunes, aud concerning whom wonderful
stories were related,
Que day party of us visited the
gypsy camp, aud the sibyl intercepted
US. | allowed her to tell my fortune,
aud others Of our party did the same.
She not only prognOsticAted for the fu
ture, but she told things OF the past
with marvellous accuracy.
At length she approached CordeIia,
but the girl would not submit. The
sibyl persisted, aud Cordella resolutely
refused, at the same time declaring that
the calling was ah impiOus one.
At length the beldame 10 spiteful
way, drew foth from her bosom bit
of reed, like piece of dried elder stalk
aud having split it she took therefrom
pellet Of paper, which she gave to
Cordelia, bidding her to take il homo
with her, aud not to look ut it save in
the privacy OF her own chamber.
Then the old woman hobbled off, and
our attention was Immediately attracted
by other matters.
Several times after that asked Cor
della what she found in the paper the
slbyl had given her; but she never
gave ne direct answer, though she
would have had me believe that the
thing amounted to nothing at all.
l remember it all very we'll now, and
| eau also remember that the last time
| spoke to her Of the gipsys pellet, she
started as though the subject gave her
pain, aud OF course | did not recur to
It again"
go to Cordelia." | said, ." aud fiud
out what was in that paper. Do not
use my name. Let her not know
that you have seen me- Your revela
tlou gives me the light of new hope.
Go and make no failure"
On the following day | met Mary
Lakin 10 MIR. Gregory's parlor. She
had found the paper
" have acted both traitor and thief"
she said, as she put out her hand.
=" First, won Cordela's confidence by
pledge OF secrecy; and next, | stole
lhis paper from secret compartment