The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-04-12

that it was a frequent condition with him his
bloated countenance, bloodshot eyes and
trembling hands gave no room to doubt
Yet, wrecked by intemperance as he was
this man possessed one merit-the true South
ern hospitality.
Now he walked with an unsteady step to a
cupboard and returned with a decanter Of
brandy, from which he poured two generous
cups of the liquor, one of which he proffered
to his guest. AT this moment a half-growr
negro boy entered and announced supper.
Sake followed his host into barren, dun
geon-like apartment, opening off the hall, in
which large table was bountifully spread
with various sorts of game and home made
delicacies.
Seated at this table, to his intense delight,
he at last beheld the original of the picture.
OF that there could be no doubt; the same
low, broad brow, the same long lashes and
liquid eyes, now trihe more mournful in
expression, the same delicately oval cheeks
and beautiful lips with their dropped corners
could ever mortal flesh wear more lovely
guise? The dark, soft eyes were raised to his
for moment as the father introduced my
daughter, Elinor Tempest;" then were low
cred, as though no mortal object could awaken
their interest.
Spencer was so entranced by her loveliness
made by the host, and it was some moments
berere he could divert his attention from her
long enough to observe the other remaining
stranger-to him-at the board.
When he did so he experienced a complete
revulsion of feeling; q strange shock swept
through him; beside Elinor Tempest, in start
ling contrast to her rich beauty, sat shrunk-
en-, CHASTITY woman, who might have risen
from the grave, so unearthly did she look in
the Pickering light of the tapers. She might
have been young, she might have been old;
the dull, sunken eyes, the attenuated features,
the harsh, yellow skin drawn over the sharp
bones. defed conjecture as to age.
For some reason this 'ssilent death head
possessed an irresistible fascination for Spen-
Ger that even exceeded the influence of Eli
nor's undeniable attractions. Not until he
beheld this hoary phantom did he become
impregnated with sort of superstitious dread
of his surroundings.
When supper was over, Elinor rose and
tenderly lifted up that living skeleton. En-
sprang up, and, joining them, drew soft
shawl around the sharp shoulder-a service
which the shrunken lips endeavored to reward
with smile, the result of which was incon-
ceivably CHASTITY, and between them they
helped the invalid from the room.
When they disappeared Spencer drew a
long breath of relief, reluctant as he naturally
was to part with the charming Elinor, and
turned to his host.
To his surprise, he perceived that the
glance of that individual was fixed in horror,
and something almost akin to fear, upon the
door through which his children had just
vanished.
SIS the lady who is ill also your daughter p
inquired SAKE, abruptly.
l.
upon his interrogation. A shudder seemed to
broke from his bearded lips.
"Yes, my daughter Rachel. Then he
continued, more as if speaking to himself than
to his companion: ''My daughter Rachel.
She was named for her mother"
After that his potations grew more frequent,
and in two hours time the negro lad and an
old negro man, whom he surmised to be
Venus husband, dragged him from the floor,
where he had collapsed in a state of utter
drunkenness, and stumbled down the hall
with him to his own room.
Left alone, SAKE Spencer was conscious of
a sensation strongly akin to loneliness and
homesickness, Notwithstanding the proximity
of the lovely Elinor.
Perhaps the feeling was, in a measure, in
tensifed by the sudden recollection that it was
the eve before Easter Sunday, and the COM
parison Of his present situation with that OF
former similar occasions, of which even the
most fastidious could not have complained.
Next morning, after a nights rest in cav
ernous chamber, carpetless, furnitureless, ex-
cept for huge ebony bed and few rickety
chairs, he arose somewhat refreshed and took
his way to the lower hall, which was deserted
save for his host.
Here he received a pressing invitation to
remain over Sunday, which invitation he de-
cided to accept; but, to his disappointment,
only once during the hours that followed did
he catch glimpse of Ehnor, and that was at
dinner, at which, to his relief, Rachel did not
appear.
1t was at the table that a curious circum-
stance occurred. Tempest, who had been
drinking during the day to an extent even un-
usual with him, was in most irascible mood,
and vented his anger continually on his
daughters.
En- answered his attacks with something Of
his own spirit, but Elinor remained silent and
unresentful.
"Whero is Rachel % he finally inquired.
Elinor answered briefly that her sister was
in her room.
Better had she stay there than be fetching
her deaths head among living people, said
her father, with a sneer. Then, turning to
Spencer: ''You see in me man nightly
blessed in his famil ly-a father who should be
proud of his offspring. Did you see that liv-
ing skeleton at the table last night? Well,
of these young ladies, in each one-deuced
strong as they now seem-the curse will be
perpetuated. Happy father, with such pros
pect. Look at them"
His sneering tone was interrupted by low,
inarticulate cry from Elinor, whose lovely
countenance had turned to the hue of ashes
and whose little white hands were flung ou
as if to beg for mercy.
For an instant she sat thus, as though turned
to stone; then springing up, she pushed bach
her chair and fled from the room.
Not till then did En- betray any emotion
Now she also leaped up, and was going to hel
fathers side, clutched his arm; her face wa:
flushed, her eyes literally ablaze-her whole
appearance indicative of passion that wa!
magnificent.
voice, "Refore God call 1t lie. Oh, you
monster-to twit us with such doom, even
if it were true"
Her father seemed to cover before the fiery
denunciation, and getting to his feet staggered
out of the room.
For an instant the girl remained where he
had left her; then she turned slowly to Spen
Ger, in her flashing eyes such look of mad
dened fear and agony as to make him shud
der.
At that moment Venus entered with anxious
eye. En- ran to her and flung herself upor
her broad breast, crying passionately.
"Oh, nanny mammy!-l wish l wa
dead.''
Venus strained the girl to her.
"Don't say that she cried with look o
fright. ''Don't! It'll come soon enough
Lor, poor, cursed honey, don't tire of the feV
years given ye."
Sheer terror seemed to quell the girl
excitement Her sobs ceased, her arm
relaxed, and withdrew from Venus embrace
she turned and walked slowly out of the room
"For heavens sake, what does it all mean"
exclaimed Spencer, turning to the negress.
She shook her tumbled head, while SLOW
tears rolled over her wrinkled cheeks.
81 das'ent tell ye," she said slowly. g
only wishes they had none of 'em been born
ed'
ats shame Ia crime'' cried Spencer
with energy. ''to bury two such charming girl