New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-20
,late and threw it into a jar of corrosive

Soon. however, he forgot these mortify
ing failures. In the intervals of study and
chemical experiment he came to her
flushed and exhausted, but seemed in
visorated by her presence, and spoke in
glowing language OF the resources of his
art. He gave history of the long dynasty
of the alchemists, who spent so many
ages in quest Of the universal solvent by
which the golden principle might be ELI
cited from all things vile and base.
Almer appeared to believe that, by the
plainest scientific logic, it was altogether
within the limits Of possibility to discover
the long sought medium. But, he
added, "a philosopher who should go
deep enough to acquire the power would
attain too lofty wisdom to stoop to the
exercise of it." Not less singular were
his opinions in regard to the elixir vtn.
lie more than intimated that it was at his
option to concoct a liquid that should
prolong life for years, perhaps intermin-
ably: but that it would produce dscord
in nature which all the world, and chiefly
the quaffer of the immortal nostrum,
would find cause to curse.
"Aylmer, are you in earnest asked
Georgiana, looking at him with amaze
ment and fear. at is terrible to possess
such power, or even to dream Of possess
ing it."
20 do not tremble, my love- said her
husband Il would not wrong either
You or myself by working such inhar-
would have you consider how tritling, in
comparison, is the skill requisite to re-
move this little hand"
At the mention Of the birthmarh, Geor-
giana. as usual, shrank as ii red-hot
iron had touched her cheek.
Again Aylmer applied himself to his
labors She could hear his voice in the
distant furnace room giving directions to
Aminadab, whose harsh, uncouth, mis-
sLapen tones were audible in response,
more like the grunt and growl of g brute
than human speech. After hours OF alb
sence, Aylmer reappeared and proposed
that she should now examine his cabinet
Of chemical products and natural treasures
of the earth. Among the former he showed
her small VIAL in which, he remarked,
was contained a gentle yet most powerful
fragrance, capable Of impregnating all the
breezes that blow across a kingdom.
They were Of inestimabe value, the con-
tents of that little vial: and, as he said So
he threw some of the perfume into the air
and filled the room with piercing and in
MIGRATING delight.
.And what Is this 2" asked Georgiana,
pointing to small crystal globe contain
ing gcld-colored liquid. at is so beauti-
full to the eye that l could imagine i. the
elixir OF life
In one sense it is replied Aylmer;
.'or rather, the elixir of immortality. II
is the most precious poison that ever was
concocted in this world. BY It's aid l
could apportion the lifetime OF any mortal
at whom you might point your finger
The strength of the dose would determine
whether he We're to linger out years, or
drop dead in the midst OF breath. No
king on his guarded throne could keep his
life if l. in my private station, should
deem that the welfare of millions justified
NE in depriving him of it.
why do you keep such terrific
drug" asked Georgiana.
DO you mistr1st me. dearest, said her
husband, smiling: '.i,s virtuous potency
is vet greater than its harmful one. But
see here is a powerful cosmetic. With
a few drops Of this in a vase OF water,
treckles may be washed away as easily as
fusion would take the blood out Of the
cheek and leave the rosiest beauty pale
ghost.
NO, no, Georgiana"' said Aylmer irn-
patiently: It must not be.
Il submit, replied she, calmly. And,
Aylmer, / shall ouatf whatever draught
you bring me- bu. it will be on the same
principle that would induce me to take a
dose Of poison if offered by your hand.
MY noble wife. said Aylmer, deeply
moved, - knew not the height and depth
of Your nature until now. Nothing shall
be concealed. Know, then, that this
crimson hand, superficial as it seems, has
clutched its grasp into your being with
strength Of which | had no previous con-
ception. [ have already administered
agents powerful enough to DO aught ex-
cept to change your entire physical sys-
TEN. Only one thing remains to be tried.
II that fail Us We are ruined.
"Why did You hesitate to tell me this
asked she.
Because, Georgiana, " said Aylmer, in
a low voice, 'there is danger"
Danger: There is but one danger
that this horrible stigma shall be left upon
my cheek cried Georgiana. Remove it,
remove it, whatever be the cost, or We
shall both 60 mad."
Heaven knows your words are too |
true, said Aylmer, sadly. "And now,
dearest, return to yonr boudOlr. In a little |
while ali will be tested"
He conducted her back and took leaTe |
Of her with solemn tenderness which |
spoke far more than his words how much |
was now at stake. After his departure
Georglana became wrapt N musings. She
considered the character Of Aylmer, and
did It completer Justice than at any pre-
7ious moment. Her heart exulted, while
I trembled, at his honorable love, so pure
md lofty that it would accept nothing
ess than perfection nor miserably make
tself contented with an earthlier nature
han it has dreamed of. She felt how
much more precious was such sentiment
han that meaner kind which would have
,orne with the imperfection for her sake,
nd have been guilty Of treason to holy
owe by degrading its perfect idea to the
evel of the actual, and with her whole
pirit she prayed that, for a single moment,
he might satisfy his highest and
ieepest conception. Longer than one
moment she well knew it could not be:
or his spirit was ever on the march, ever
scending, and each instant required
omething that was beyond the scope Of
be instant before.
The sound OF her husbands footsteps
reused her. He bore a crystal goblet
liquor colorless as water,
ut bright enough to be the draught of
immortality. Aylmer was pale; but it
aemed rather the consequence of highly
-rought state of mind and tension OF
pirit than of fear or doubt
The concoction of the draught has
can narfent - Said he In anCUar 70 |