Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-30

tCro, in one shape or another, stamps in.
effaceable on all her productions, either to
imply they are temporary and finite, or
that their perfection must be wrought by
toll and pain. The crimson hand expressed
the ineludeble gripe in which mortality
clutches the highest and purest of earthly
mould, degrading them into kindred with
the lowest and even with very bFutes, like
whom their visible frames return TO dust.
In this manner, selecting it as his. wife's
liability to sin, sorrow, decay and death,
Alyn1er's sombre imagination was not
long in rendering the birthmark = fright
full object, causing him more trouble and
horror than ever Georgiana's beauty.
whether Of soul or sense, had given him
delight. sJaas ~ 5sxsa s741d
At all seasons which should have been
their hapPiest he invariably. and, without
intending it, nay, in spite Of q purpose to
the contrary, reverted to this disastrous
topic. Triding as it at first appeared, it
so connected itself with, innpmerable
trains of thought and modes of feeling
that ii became the central point of all.
With the morning twilight A Aylfner opened
his eyes upon his wifess face asA fecog-
nized the symbol Of imperfceeion; and
when they sat together at the. evening
hearth, his eyes wandered steadily to her
cheek, and beheld. ffickering With the
blaze Of the wood FIRE, the spectral hand
that had written mortality where he would
fain have worshipped. 7GeorgiAna' soon
learned to shudder at his gaze.ss dt needed
but glance with the pecnliari expression
that his face, often wore to, change the
roses Of her cheek into q deathlike. pale
ness. amid which the crimson hand was
brought out, like a bas-relief Of suby on
the purest marble. s5s se3i8eg sei
Late one night, whea the lights were
growing dim so as hardly to betray the
stain on the poor wife's cheek. she her.
self, for the first time, voluntarily took up
the subject. ssssss y3aals1s gg4
"Do you remember, my dear Alymer,"
said she, with feeble attempt at a smile,
shave you any recollection or 4 dream
last night about this odi0us handPn
"None none, whateverv', replied Ayl-
mer starting but then he added, IN cold.
dry tone, affected for the saAs of conceal
ing the real depth Of bis emotion, II might
we'll dream of it; or, before fell asleep,
it had taken pretty firm hold OF my fan
cy." ss'sa sspts
"And you did dream of it. continued
Georgiana hastily for she dreaded lest
rush of tears should interrupt what she
had to say. "A terrible dream ! won-
der that you can forget II. 1t is possible
to forget this one expression a---sIsl It in
her heart now; we must have Il out =
Reflect, my husband; for by all means
would have you recall that dream"
The mind is in sad state when Sleep,
the all-involving, cannot conline her spec.
tres within the dim region Of her sway.
but suffers them to break forth affrighting
this actual life with secrets that perchancc
belong to deeper one. Ayimer now re.
membered his dream. He had fnhcisd
himself with his servant Aininadab at.
tempting an operation for the removal OF
the birthmark; but the deeper went the
knife, and deeper went the hand, until its
tiny grasp appeared to have caught hold
of Georgiana's heart; whence. however,
her husband was inexorably resolved to
cut or wrench it away. son
When the dream had shaped itself per-
fectly in his memory, Aylmer sat in his
Truth often finds its way TO the mind close
speaks with uncompromising directness
Of matters in regard to which we practise
an unconscious self-deception during our
been aware of the tvrannixing influence
acquired by one idea over his mind. and
of the lengths which he might find in his
heart to 60 for the sake of giving himself
peace. @i'Fnt u
"Aylmer," resumed Georgiana, solemn
ly, Il know not what may be the cost to
both of us to rid me of this fatal birthmark.
| Perhaps its removal may cause cureless
deformity. or 1t may be the stain goes as
deep as lite itself. Again: do we know
that there is possibility. on any terms,
of unclasping the firm grippe of this little
hand which was laid upon me before l
came into the world e?' "'0@i'"
dearest Georgiana, l have spent much
thought upon the subject" hastily inter-
rupted Aylmer. Il am convinced OF the
perfect practicability of its removal"
"If there be the remotest possibility OF
it," continued Georgiana, .'let the attempt
be made at whatever risk. Danger is
nothing to me for while this hateful mark
makes me the object of your horror and
disgust-lite is q 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 remove this
little, little mark, which 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
madness" 1ats6
"Noblest. dearest, tenderest wife,"
cried Aylmer, rapturously. doubt not my
power have already given; this matter
the deepest thought-thoughtw which might
almost have enlightened me to create
being less perfect than yourself. Georgi-
ana, YOU have led me deeper than ever in.
to the heart of science. / feel myself full
ly competent to render this dear cheek as
faultless as its fellow; and then. most be-
loved. what will be my triumph when I
shall have corrected what nature left im-
perfect in her fairest work! Even Pygma-
lion, when his sculptured woman assumed
life, felt not greater ecsacy than mine will
be-" ssag M
ut is resolved them" said Georgiana.
family smiling. "And. Alymer. spare me
not though you should find the birthniark.
take refuge in my heart ut last. 7 ct
Her husband kissed her cheek tenderly
her cheek--not the one which bore the
impress of the crimson hand.
vCha na~t d0v vluar aDDriSe3d his wife