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

feeble constitution weakened by the pestifer-
ous atmosphere of this locality, and the fore
knowledge of its pronounced doom, had sunk
without a struggle under its force; he saw all
this, but how was he to make it apparent to
this poor, deluded girl who in good truth, was
doomed, unless she could be wakened to the
truth and removed from this plague-spot?
"Great heaven!" he cried, ''was there ever
such madness-such infatuation? How is it
possible you can be so blind? Curse There
is no curse over you but sinful superstition
and miasma. Do you not see? tits the fault
of this noxious place in which you live. The
first moment my eyes rested on this miserable
house, for ever shrouded in the vile vapor of
marshes and creek, knew it was the birth
place of disease fl were to live here for
two years | should be a corpse myself at the
end of that time. How can you be SO mad as
to attribute your misfortune to that senseless
prediction?"
En- regarded him with slow, sad smile.
s'How is it that my father and Venus resist
it, if this theory be true ?' she inquired.
"There are physical reasons to account for
it, that may not be apparent either to you or
me- One thing is undeniable-th constitu-
tions are much stronger than yours or your
sisters. Do not be so willfully blind-listen
to reason.H
Andfo an hour he talked reasoned, argued,
ed by ignorance, held strong possession other
soul, and made her creed immovable. Every
circumstance in her life, the credulity of her
father, Venus's constant garrulity that he
moaned their doom, had kept that doom for
ever before her, and so no power could uproot
her reliance in the infallibility of the pro-
phecy.
SIT is useless,'' she at last Observed" to
attempt to convince me that | am mistaken
T r Al Il
at is the first indication of consumption,
he interrupted, vehemently. "Every sensa-
ton you have described is but the symptom of
that disease
She stopped him with gesture.
"Have it so, if you will, F" she said, simply.
''As for me, know but too well that you
are deluded. However, it was not to discuss
our fate that made bold to send for you to
come so many miles. You must have observ-
ed that | said there were five girls of us-the
fifth you have never seen or heard mentioned.
She is Aida convulsion broke up the set
face, and bitter tears of hopeless woe rolled
over the flushed, delicate cheek. ''For my
self and Elinor am resigned to Aida'S doom;
she is so young and heautifpl-if ! gould
would save her from her sister wretohed fate.
| have prayed and almost wept tears of blood
that Aida might escape the curse, and so
know has my father who, though he has seem
ed to know no affection for any one of the rest
of us, adores his youngest child. So deter
mined was he that she should be spared when
she was ten years old he compelled complete
separation between us; she was not allowed to
sit at table with us--was forced to occupy
rooms in a different part of the house, and at
tended only by Nanny Venus, whom he swore
he would murder if she but breathed word
to remind her of the curse. This he continued
until Elinor was stricken then he seemed to
feel the hopelessness of the object, and al
lowed her to return to the family, since which
he has never drawn a sober breath. 1t is for
Aida's sake that Elinor and | have sent for
you"
She had clasped her hands and looked so
lovely in her pleading and despair that Spencer
felt the fiercest pang he had ever experienced
as he beheld her brilliant eyes and hectic
cheeks in which her doom was but too surely
written.
II thought if we could induce you to re-
move her from this haunted spot-to take her
North perhaps the curse might not pursue her.
Do not think that we are unaware ofthe great
and even terrible demand we make of you;
nothing but the exigencies ofthe case would
could-induce US to such course. | am
aware that for you it will be attended with
difficulties and expense; but have here what
| trust will in measure defray the latter
until Aida is able to support herself They
were ornaments that belonged to our mother.
As she spoke she took from her bosom a
few little furnished trinkets which in her ig-
norance and inexperience, she believed OF
value, and pressed them upon him, while her
eyes grew more eager and feverish.
"Do you think it could be done?' she con-
tinued, wistfully. 'Would you be willing to
burden yourself with my sister until you could
! put her in some way of earning her support
Somehow | felt | could trust you-l hope
am not to be disappointed
1t was a scheme that betrayed the Ignorance
: and inexperience of the originator, yet Spen-
Ger was not dismayed at the responsibility il
entailed upon himself His heart was pro-
foundy touched by the wretched little history
just revealed, and, as was not unnatural, the
beauty of these pensioners upon his mercy
) stimulated his sympathy.
s'But your father" he said, ''would he be
willing to part with his favorite child?"
81 am sure he would,' returned En-, ca
!, gerly Convince him that it is for her ben
eft, end am positive he would let her GO
He must-he shall, if only you will take her. y
Spencer looked pityingly at the hectic flush
on the delicate cheek, at the dark eyes whose
| deep fires were ominously brilliant? Was il
possible that this fair girl was doomed!
! Not for worlds would he have disappointed
her. His nature held much of old fashioned
chivalry and, though he was comparatively
poor man, he resolved that the young CIR
f in question should be rescued, it mattered no
at what cost or sacrifice to himself
This decision was strengthened by the know
, ledge that in his mother he would have al
J able support for this somewhat appalling duty
that he had taken upon himself.
''She shall go, if it rests with me, he sale
simply.
Ii;-. ,,,;,,;o,, booo,,a +bo aos;ar whom ba cav
the girl herself.
Unlike the others at her age, Aida Tempes
was counterpart of what Elinor was wher
, he first saw her, of what EN- was at the pres
ent moment. What wonder if the vague
, sweet fancy reused by her sister in Spencer
breast should strengthen into sweet hop'
/ under the sudden realization of these years t
, be spent together?
. As En- had surmised, Tempest, after tn,
first shock, offered no real opposition to thi
plan.
e ''Only make her well,'' he said, piteously
''keep her alive until she has passed the periot
of the curse, and then bring her back to me
| can't live without Aida. | would give m,
r soul to save her from the CURSE
The girl herself was too young and mex
perienced to perceive the full significance O
e the separation; to her it was but a pleasan
n episode, not an eternal parting.
/ But to the day of his death Spencer neve
L forgot the mute agony with which that alread
/ dying woman and the girl soon to be death
S smitten parted with the adored one.
SIT is frightful, horrible, to leave you t
r your DOOM he cried to En-, who had fol
e lowed them as far as the stream. ''It is Ger
4 tain death to remain here. If only we're
} rich man, you should not stay; and, as it is
when poor Elinor is gone will come back 70
e you, and take you North TO live with Aidi
and my mother and me, if you will promis
you will come"
e The beautiful face, blanched by its pain
frightened momentarily; in her eyes came {
great light.
e Who knows how bitterly she was tempted il
e that instant? But in the next she had ben
D to her burden.
| SIT must not be-" she said, in STEADY
t voice. SIT will be better for her that we shal
e be separated. Besides, it would not be righ
1 to burden you with two of us. No, mol Yol