The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-06-19

stroyedi for lew people believed 10 his in.
nocence, and mothers pointed him out to
their children as a murderer Years be- |
fore il appeared that rich guest was muir
dered in his bed, aud the landlord was
suspected and arrested. The circumstan-
ces made a great stir, for the murdered
man was well connected and widely known.
Every one who valued his reputation
stunned the society of Hernandez, aud his
house at last became the resort of contra
bandists from the frontier aud the low
characters who infested the city.
Impatient at the long delay in answer
ing the summons thee cunt jerked the bell
rope vigorously, and at length the host,
followed by pale girl (the only domestic
in the house,, showed themselves
With many profound bows and apologies
for the delay, Hernandez took the mule to
the stable, while the count followed the
girl, whose name was Isabella, to the In
terror Of the place. There was something
so gentle and interesting about the girl
that the count found himself gazing after
her wherever she went. lie faneied there
was a sadness 10 her face, aud her large
eyes sought his as if she would have spok
en- to him. But the appearance of Anlo.
MO Hernandez put stop TO the effort that
Isabella was meditating in the nobleman's
behalf, for the landlord never for an in.
slant left the girl alone in the counts pres
ence. Once or twice, when the count
yawned as if he were tired, Isabella turned
her eyes mournfully upon him as If to be.
secch him not TO retire 10 bed The count
noticed the look, but could not interpret
its significance, aud during the evening
he saw her no more. A feeling of weari.
ness at length overcoming him, the court
arose from his seat in the quaint old par
lor and signi6ed his intention of seeing
his room. Hernandez at once secured a
lamp aud escorted the count up stairs,
ushered him into large ghostly chamber,
in which every article in the cumbrous
furniture was deepened by age to funeral
blackness. Two large mirrors adorned
the walls, and by their reflection seemed
to stretch out the dimensions Of the dreary
apartment to a boundless extent
This was the room in which the terrible
murder had been committed, and it was
never occupied, save when some dark deed
was to be done The landlord placed the
lamp upon the table, and wishing his guest
goodnight, went out and shut the door
The count turned the key, and then by
the dim light of the lamp surveyed the
apartment. 1t was so gloomy that he
turned and walked to the window, suppos
ing that il looked on the street. He wa.
disappointed to find that it opened on q
small neglected yard, filled with coarse
vegetation and some mouldering timber.
The moon was partially obscured BY
clouds, but ever and anon threw a flicker
ing light upon the desolate scene. A
vague presentment Of evil stole over th,
count, and his mind became gloomy
Beware Of the Raven" The words of tht
sibyl kept recurring to bis memory. CoulC
the warning of the witch have been pro
phetic The count would have left lh,
room but for certain sense Of shame th,
act would engender.
"Pshaw !" he cried, and leaned out tb,
window to snuff the air.
As he ala 50 ms ears caught the sounC
OF suppressed hiss. He listened atten
lively, and it came again. Casting hi
eyes through the darkness, he endeavore,
to discover from whence the noise pro
ceeded, out he could see nothing, aud it wa
ohiy "hen ne raised his eyes upward to
~aru small window directly over hi
heau that ne discovered the hgure Of lisa
osila Dy the struggling hight OF the moon
one was gestlenIatlng toward him, bu
the moon was SO frequently hidden behinC
uark ciouus 'nat ne could not for som'
time guess her import. Suddenly th'
great ORD came out into thee lear sky, anc
'he count could see the glri plainly. ShI
was TWO stories stories above hlm, and he coul'
moi near heT words distinctly, Tor she spok'
In sucn low voice, aud, after she haC
warned MN, she quickly disappeared.
ror the love oi the virgin, do not g
70 oed, senior, she said. Antonio Her
nandes Is my uncle but he is bad man
anu u you 50 70 sleep, senior, you MAJ
never See .he ilsht oil the world again
Don't betray me, for my uncle would Kill
me IL ne knew had spoken these words
h1neu
Inc count ielt beneath his girdle anC
ins'ineuyely iald his hand upon tho bill
OF ms dagger Then he walked to hi
chamber door, turned the key and unlocked
u, intending to look out into the corridor
but TO his surprise, he found it was fas
tened upon the outside--and he was
prisoner lie tired to force 1t open, bu
u resisted all ms efforts. lie sat down
ana, leaning his head upon his hand, be
gan to mediate As he did so the oil il
the lamp became exhausted and the ligh
went out lie felt a strong conviction
that some unseen danger lowered near
aud that which was suspicion became
certainty Nothing remained now but tC
await the attack, aud sell his life as dsaFly
% possible The thought of the beautiful
Julia often occurred to his mind. Il wa
to see her again that he became involved
Ia his present condition. He thought, too
81 the gypsy, aud wondered what order o.
being she was TO forecast the peril that
should befall him.
The clouds begun to break away frou
the lace OF The heavens and the count wa,
I anuhlaI 10 - ...... a