Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-10-01

of that fatal birth-mark over my labors
1t is not we'll done. Go, prying woman
gow
NAY, Aylmer," said Georgiana with the
firmness of which she possessed no stinted
endowment, sit is not that you have a
right to complain, You mistrust your
wife you have concealed the anxiety with
which you watch the development Of this
experiment. Think not so unworthy of me,
my husband. Tell me all the risk we run
and fear not that shall shrink; for my
share is far less than your own"
mo, no, Georgiana! it must not be. -
"I submit" she said calmly. "And.
Aylmer, shall quaf whatever draueht
you bring me but it will be on the same
principle that would induce me to take
dose of poison If offered by your hand"
"My noble wife, knew not the height
and depth of your nature until now. Moth
ing shall be concealed. Know, then, that
the crimson hand, superficial as it seems,
has clutched its grasp into your being with
strength of which I had no previous con-
ception. have already administered
agents powerful enough 10 do aught ex-
cept to change your entire physical sys-
TEN. Only one thing remains to be tried.
If that fail us we are ruined"
"Why did you hesitate to tell me this P"
she asked.
because, Georgiana, said Aylmer, in
low voice, "there is danger"
"DangerP There is but one danger
that the horoible stigma shall be left upon
my cheek! Remove it, remove it. what
ever be the cost, or we shall both 60 mad p
"Heaven knows your words are too
true. and now, dearest. return to your
boudoir. In little while all win be test
ed"
He conducted her back and took leave
of her with solemn tenderness which
spoke far more than his words how much
was at stake. After his departure she be-
came rapt In musings. She considered
the character of Aylmer. and did 1t COM
pleter Justice than ut any previous mo-
ment. Her heart exulted while it trem.
bled, at his honorable love-so pure and
lofty that it would accept nothing less than
perfection She felt how much more prec
ious was such sentiment than that meaner
kind which would have borne with the i'm
perfection for her sake and with her whole
spirit she prayed that, for single moment
she might satisfy his highest sud deepest
conception. Longer than one moment she
WCli huCW ~ SOuAu HOt bO AOA hAS SChN
was ever on the march, ever ascending.
and each instant required something that
was beyond that of the Instant before.
The sound of her husbands footsteps
aroused her. He bore crystal goblet
containing liquor colorless as water. but
bright enough to be the draught OF immor-
tality. He was pale; but it seemed rather
the consequence of wrought state Of
fear or doubt.
1.-The concoction OF the draught has been
perfect said he, in answer to Georgi-
ana's look. '.Unless all my science has
deceived me, it cannot fail"
"Save on your account. my dearest. I
might not wish to put off mortality by re-
linqushing mortality itself in preference
to any other mode. Life is a sad possess
ion to those who have attained precisely
the same degree of moral advancement at
which l stand. Were weaker and blind
err, it might be happiness. Were I!strong-
er, it might be endured hopefully. But.
being what find myself, methinks l am
of all mortals the most fit to die"
"You are fit for heaven without tasting
death. But why do you speak Of dying?
The draught cannot fail. Behold its eff
feet upon this plant"
On the window there stood geranium
diseased with yellow blotches which had
overspread ali its leaves. He poured
small quantity of the liquid on the soil In
which it grew. In short time, when the
roots of the plant had taken up all the
moisture, the unsightly blotches began to
be extinguished in living verdure.
"There needed no proof, joyfully take
all upon your word.'
Drink. then, thou lofty creature!
There is no faint of imperfection on thy
spirit"
She quaffed the liquid and returned the
goblet 70 his hand.
ut is grateful" said she, with placid
smile "Methinks 1t is like water from
heavenly fountain for it contains / know
not what of unobtrusive fragrance and de-
liciousness. 1t allays fevcrish thirst that
has parched me for many days. Now
dearest. let me sleep. My earthly senses
are closing over my spirit like the leaves
around the heart Of rose ut sunset"
She spoke the last words with . gentle
reluctance, as il IL required almost more
energy than she could command 70 no.
nounce the faint and lingering syllAbles.
Scarcely had they loitered through her
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