The Portland daily press., 1875-07-31

made at whatever risk. Danger is nothing
to ne; for while this hateful mark makes me
the object of your horror or disgust-life is a
burden which would fling down with joy.
Either remove this dreadful hand, or take my
wretched life! You have deep science. All
the world bears witness of it. You have
achieved great wonders. Cannot you re-
move this little, little mark, which l cover
with the tips of two small fingers? Is this
beyond your power, for the sake of your own
peace. and to save your poor wife from mad
ness?"
Modest, dearest, tenderest wife," cried
Ayimer, raptuously, 'doubt not my power.
have already given this matter the deepest
thought-thought which might almost have
enlightened me to create being less perfect
than yourself. Georgiana, you have led me
deeper than ever into the heart of science.
feel myself fully competent to render this
dear cheek as faultless as its fellow; and
then, most beloved, what will be my triumph
when l shall have corrected what nature left
imperfect in her fairest work! Even Pygma-
lion, when his sculptured woman assumed
life, felt not greater ecstacy than mine will
be.'' rgr
'It is resolved then," said Georgiana,
family smiling. "And, Aylmer, spare me
not, though you should find the birthmark
take refuge in my heart at last"
Her husband tenderly kissed her cheek
her cheek-not that which bore the impress
OF the crimson hand.
The next day Aylmer apprised his wife of a
plan that he had formed whereby he might
have opportunity for the intense thought and
constant watchfulness which the proposed
operation would require; while Georgiana,
likewise, would enjoy the perfect repose es-
sential to its success. They were to seclude
themselves in the extensive apartments occu-
pied by Aylmer as laboratory, and where,
during his toilsome youth, he had made dis
coveries in the elemental powers of Nature
that had reused the admiration of all the
learned societies in Europe. Seated calmly in
this laboratory, the pale philosopher had
Investigated the secrets of the highest cloud
region and of the profoundest mines; he had
satisfied himself of the causes that kindled
and kept alive the fires Of the volcano; and
had explained the mystery of fountains, and
how it is that they gush forth, some so bright
and pure, and others with such rich medicinal
virtues, from the dark bosom of the earth.
Here, too, at an earlier period, he had studied
the wonders of the human frame, and
attempted to fathom the very process by
which nature assimilates all her precious
influences from earth and air, and from the
spiritual world, to create and foster man, her
masterpiece. The latter pursuit, however,
Aylmer had long laid aside in unwilling recog-
milton OF the truth-against which all seekers
sooner or later stumble-that our great crea-
tive Mother, while she amuses us with appar-
emily working in the broadcast sunshine, is yet
severely careful to keep her own secrets, and
in spite of her pretended openness, shows us
nothing but results. She permits us, indeed,
to mar, but seldom to mend, and like ieal-
GUS patentee, on no account to make. Now,
however, Aylmer resumed these half-forgot-
fpn Investigations no IF al,
hopes or wishes as first suggested them, but
because they involved much physiological
truth and lay in the path of his proposed
scheme for the treatment of Georgiana.
As he led her over the threshold of the
laboratory, Georgiana was cold and tremu-
lous. Aylmer looked carefully into her face,
with intent to reassure her, but was so start
led with the intense glow of the birthmark
upon the whiteness of her cheek that he
could not restrain a strong conyulsive shud-
der. His wife tainted.
"Aminadab! Aminadabp' shouted Aylmer
stamping violently on the floor. ~
Forthwith there issued from an inner apart
ment aman of low stature, but bulky frame
with shaggy hair hanging about his .visage,
which was grimmed with the vapors of the
furnace. This parsonage had been Aylmer's
underworker during his whole scientific ca
reer, and was admirably fitted for that office
by his great mechanical readiness, and the
skill with which. while incapable of compre-
bending single principle, he executed all the
details of his masters eX periments. With
vast strength, his shaggy hair, his smoky
aspect. aud the indescribable earthiness
that incrusted him, he seemed to represent
mans physical nature; while Aylmer's figure
and pale Intellectual face were no less apt a
type Of the spiritual element.
Throw open the door of the boudoir,
Z Aminadab," said Aylmer, and burn pas
TIL" 4sIl NJ -
Eyes, MASTER" answered Aminadab, look
ing intently at the lifeless form of Georgiana /;
and then he muttered to himself, ''If she
were my wife, I'd never part with that birth.
mark" nw r
When Georgiana recovered consciousness
she found herself breathing an atmosphere of
penetrating fragrance, the gentle potency of
which had recalled her from her deathlike
faintness. The scene around her looked like
enchantment. Aylmer had converted those
smoky, dingy, sombre rooms, where he had
spent his brightest years in reconcile pursuits,
into series of beautiful apartments not unfit
to be the secluded abode of lovely woman.
The walls were hung with gorgeous cur
tains which impaired combination of gram
deur and grace that no other species of adorn-
ment can: achieve; and as they fell from the
ceiling to the floor, their rich and ponderous
folds, concealing all the angles and straight
lines. appeared to shut in the scene from in
finite space. For aught Georgiana knew, it
might be pavilion among the clouds. And
Aylmer, excluding the sunshine, which would
have interfered with his chemical processes,
had supplied its place with perfumed lamps,
emitting f1ames OF various hue, but oil unit
ing in soft, impurpled radiance. He now
knelt his wife's side, watching her earnestly
but without alarm; for he was confident in
his science, and felt that he could draw a
magic circle round within which no evil
might intrude.
'Where ana [? All, l remember" said
Georgiana, family and she placed her hand
over her cheek to hide the terrible mark from
her husbands eyes.
s'Fear not, dearest'' exclaimed he. Do
not shrink from mel Believe me, Georgiana,
even rejoice in this single imperfection, since
it will be such rapture to remove it.o
20 spare me!' sadly replied his wife.
''Pray do not look at it again. never can
forget that convulsive shudder."
In order to soothe Georgiana, and, as it
were. to release his mind from the burden of
actual things. Aylmer now put in practice
some OF the light and playful secrets which
science had taught him among its profounder
lore. Airy figures, absolutely bodiess ideas
NAAN 'Ol Atio Va uAouDotduIidl UCduGy, Cdillt duu
danced before her, imprinting their moment
airy footsteps on beams of light. Though
she had some indistinct idea OF the method of
these optical phenomena, still the illusion was
almost perfect enough to warrant the belief
that her husband possessed sway over the
spiritual world. Then again, when she felt
wish to look forth from her seclusion, mme-
diately, as if her thought were answered, the
procession of external existence fitted across
screen. The scenery and the figures of ac-i
tual life were perfectly represented, but with
that bewitching yet indiscribable difference
which always makes picture, an image or a
shadow so much more attractive than the
original. When wearied of this, Aylmer
babe her cast her eyes upon a vessel
containing quantity of earth. She did so,
with little interest at first; but was soon
startled to perceive the germ ola plant shoot
ing upward from the soil. Then came the
slender stalk; the leaves gradually unfolded
themselves; amid them was a perfect and
lovely flower.
sit is magcalp' cried Georgiana. sT dare
not touch it." sE f&
sNay, pluck it, answered 7AyImer-
'p;uck it and inhale its brief perfume while
you may. The flower will wither in few
moments and leave nothing save its brown
seed vessels; but thence may be perpetuated
race as ephemermal as itself.'' Es
But Georgiana had no sooner touched the
flower than the whole nlant suffered hlioht