New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-20
her cheek-not that which bore the i'm
- ~ - o.;r,coy, hand.

The next day Aylmer apprised his wife
of a plan that he had formed whereby
he might have opportunity for the intense
thouoht and constant watchfulness which
the proposed operation would require;
while Georgiana, likewise. would ENJOY
| perfect repose essential to Its success.
They were to seclude themselves IN the
extensive apartments occupied by Aylmer
as a laboratory, and where, during his toll
some youth, he had made discoveries in
the elemental power Of nature that had
reused the admiration Of all the learned
societies in Europe. Seated calmly in
this laboratory, the pale phisolopher had
investigated the secrets OF the highest
cloud region and Of the protoundest mines;
be 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 andpure and others
with such rich medicinal virtues, from
the dark bosom Of the earth. Here, too,
at an earlier period, De had studied the
| wonders of the human frame, and at
tempted to fathom the very process by
| which nature assimllates al her precious
Influences from earth and air, and from
the spiritual world, to create and foster
man. her masterpiece. The latter pur-
suit however, Aylmer had long laid aside
in unwilling recognition Of the truth
against which all seekers sooner or later
| stumble-that our great creative mother,
while she amuses Us with apparently
working in the broadest sunshine, IS yet
severely careful to keep her own secrets,
and in spite OF her pretended openness,
shows US nothing but results. She per
mits us, indeed, to mar, but seldom to
mend, and. like jealous patentee, on no
account to make Now, however. Aylmer
resumed these half forgotten investiga-
tons, not. of course, with such hopes or
wishes as first suggested them, but be-
| cause they involved much physiological
truth and lay in the path of his proposed
| scheme for the treatment of Georgiana.
As be 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 startled with the intense glow Of the
birthmark upon the whiteness Of her
cheek that he could not restrain con
vulsive shudder His wife tainted.
| "Aminidab. Aminidab shouted Aylmer,
stamping violently on the floor.
Forthwith there issued from an inner
| apartment a man of low stature, but
bulky frame, with shaggy hair hanging
| about his vissage, which was grimed with
the vapors of the furnace. This per-
sonage had been Aylmers underworher
| during his whole scientific career, and was
admirably fitted for that office by his
! mechanical readiness and the skill with
which, while incapable of omprehending
single principle, he executed all the de-
tails of his masters experiments. With
vast'strength, his shaggy hair. his smoky
aspect and the Undesirable earthiness
that incrusted him, he seemed to repre-
sent man s physical nature: while Aylmers
figure and pale intellectual face were no
less apt type Of the spiritual element.
Throw open the door OF the boudoir
Aminadab, said Amer, and burn a
pastil.''
'.Yes. master, answered Amnadab,
looking intently at the liteless form OF
Georgana and then he ruttered TO him
self, If she We're my wife. ia never part
wish tina. birthmark. -
When Georgiana recovered conscious
ness she found herself breathing an at
mosphere of penetrating fragrance, the
gentle potency OF which had recalled her
from her deathlike Iaitness. The scene
around her looked like enchantment
Aymer had converted those smoky, diugy,
sombre rooms, where lie had spent his
brightest years in reconcile pursuits, into
to be the secluded abode of a lovely
geous curtains which impaired the COM
~
other species Of adornment can achieve:
and, as they fell from the ceiling to the
floor, their rich and ponderous folds,
concaaling all angles and straight lines,
appeared TO shut in the scene from in
finite space. For ausht G=orgiana knew,
1t might be e pavilion among the clouds.
And Aylmer. excluding the sunshine,
which would have intertered with Lis
chemical processes, had supplied its place
with pertumed lamps, emitting flames OF
various hues, but ali uniting in a soft, i'm
purpled radiance. He now knel, by his
wite's side. watching her earnestly, but
without alarm: for he was confident in his
science, and felt that he could draw
magic circle round her within which no
evil could intrude.
"Where am l: Al, remember, said
Georgiana, family; and she placed her
hand over her cheel, TO hide the terrible
mark from her husbands eyes.
Fear not. dearest" exclaimed he. DO
not shrink from me. Believe me, Geor-
giana, l even rejoice in this single imper-
fiction. since it will be such rapture to
remove it.
go, spare me-" sadly replied his wife.
pray do not look at it again. l never |
can forget that convulsive shudder."
In order to soothe Gaorgiana. and, as it
We're, to release his mind from the burden |
OF actual things, Aylmer now put ii prac-
tice some Of the light AMI playful secrets
which science had taught lin among its
profounder lore. Airy figures, absolutely
bodlless ideas and forms OF unsubstantial
beauty, came and danced before her, in
printing her momentary footsteps on
beams Of light. Though she had some
lndlstinct idea Of the method Of these op-
teal phenomena, still the illusion was al
most perfect enough to warrant the belief
that her husband possessed sway over the
spiritual world. Then again, when she
felt a wish to look forth from her seclu-
sion, Immediately, as if her thoughts were
answered, the procession Of external ex-
lstence fitted across a screen. The scenery
and the figures Of actual life were perfectly
but with that bewitching vet
Undesirable difference which always
makes picture an image, or shadow so
much mora attractive than the original.
When wearied Of this, Aylner babe her
east her eyes upon a vessel containing a
quantity of earth. She did so, with little
interest at first; but was soon startled to
perceive the germ of plant shooting up
ward from the soil. Then came the slen-