Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-11-23

Raymond readily assured her of his
discretion, and, thinking to divert her
attention from the embarrassing topic,
asked her opinion of the picture.
"It is perfect. So like my own little
Ellen, too. All! Mr. Raymond, I shosld
have thought only a mothers heart
could have nourished such an inspira-
ton" a~
Raymond blushed at the rather en-
~barrassing compliment.
"We artists" he said, t'see beauty
in all. it's forms. We gaze upon young
children perhaps more tenderly than
even some maternal eyes-since where
shall we catch glimpses of divine beau
ty, perfect and unveiled, if not in the
human soul fresh from it's mothers
presence, and unstained as yet by con
tact with the worldp The child is yet
to the man what the clear mountain
spring is to the turbulent and roaring
river.n
That visit to Raymond's studio prov
ed the turning point in Aurelia's histo-
ry. Raymond came afterward often
to see us, and by his subtle yet genial
knowledge of human nature, aided per-
haps by his thorough knowledge of her
antecedents, succeeded in that in which
so many had failed. He beguiled Au-
relia of her grief and by
his graphic powers of conversation
he touched the only chord in her heart
which grief had not had power to un-
string. Already I began to build up
the most gorgeous a~ir-castles for my
two friends, rosy Is the hues of sunset.
l had never inquired of Aurelia con
corning her acquaintance with the lady
whom we had met in Raymond's studio,
thinking that it might perhaps be an
unpleasant topic. But sitting n day
in her room, a sketch dropped from
her portfolio. My eye rested upon it
only a moment-for she Immediately
stopped and replaced it-but its char
acteristics were too striking not to be
apprehended. 1t was a mere outline
of flowing robes, heavy fur mantle,
nodding plumes, and dainty muff; but
the face which the bonnet encircled was
not that of the handsome woman we
had seen at Raymond's, but the ugly
and distorted head of a serpent, while
dimly through the length of the figure
I could trace the scaly, %serpentine evo-
luton and singing tail which formed
the proper continuation of that Odious
head. 1t was q strange conception to
come from the brain of my magnani-
nous and h~igh-souled friend.
"Dost thou see her? Dost thou not
see her?" exclaimed Aurelia, one day
running into my room, with eyes dis
tended and hair flowing like a spirit.
L followed the direction of her eager
hand, and looking out, saw that same
elegant lady entering the gate.
81 can not meet her," said Aurelia.
"She would sting me so with her sharp
tongue that | should die of her venom.
Go thou down, my dear friend, and say
| am preoccupied-ill--any thing that
is not too gross a deception-that | may
escape her. You will see that | am
not merely a coward when you meet
her snaky eye and listen to her beguil-
ing accents
The servant had already admitted
her, so there was 40 alternative but to
comply with Aurelia's request. | step
ped to my dressing-room to add a hasty
touch to my toilet, and, turning, met
the servant with a card which Aurelia
had sent to me from the guest below.
1t was a neat, elegant missive, with this
name:
r HAROLD MOUNTJOY.
A new light dawned upon me as
read that NAME, and whatever tremors
l may have felt after Aurelia's excited
description they vanished now. l knew
with whom l had to deal, and felt sure
that whatever game she might play ]
knew a secret art by which, if necessa.
ry, to checkmate her.
Mrs. Mountjoy rose as l entered, as
if about to greet warmly an old friend.
Upon seeing a stranger a slight change
passed quickly over her countenance,
and she bowed coldly in answer to my
~salutation.
"Mrs. Desmond desires to be ex.
cused," 1 said, coolly; for l was quite
willing our visitress should understand
that her presence was unwelcome.
"She labors under a slight indisposi.
ton, which will prevent her seeing any
guests this morning"
"Indeed!" replied Mrs. Mountjoy.
81 regret it extremely, / assure you. 1t
is some years since | have met Mrs.
Desmond, and it would give me great
pleasure to renew her acquaintance.
Please to present my compliments to
her, and say that, since I am so unfor-
tsnate this morning, 1 shall give myself
the pleasure of calling again. 1 heard
of her presence here through our mu-
tual friend, Mr.. Raymond; and, indeed,
l have been greatly stimulated to per-
severe in my earnest resolve to renew
our friendship by that gentleman's en-
thusiastic description of her. She was
Miss Leslie when I knew her, and suf-
ficiently charming; but I a readily
believe that time has only matured her
loneliness"
1 had not heard the hiss of the SER
pent once throughout all this long
speech. Her voice wa honeyed sweet
ness, but at the conclusion 1 perceived
distinctly the snake-like glitter of her
eye.
"Mrs. Desmond is, indeed, a very
lovely woman" / said, simply; "quiet
worthy the friendship and esteem of the
noblest. She is in peculiar affection,