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

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worlds goods, Saxe's business afforded a
comfortable income, by which means they
were enabled to mingle to certain extent in
polte society, and avail themselves of the di-
versions, as well as the literature of the day.
Aida was Immediately sent to fine school,
IN which her natural endowments enabled her
TO- make rapid advantages; but from this pen
hliess and otherwise friendless girl, the secret
was always carefully guarded, that her depen-
dence upon their bounty was absolute, that
she was supported as much by charity, as the
veriest pauper in the city.
AT long intervals letters arrived from the
South, in which EN- related the meagre his
tory of that unfortunate family.
Six months after Aida's departure, poor
hllnor was laid at rest; the father was drink
ing harder; Venus seemed to be feeling her
age; and she, En-, was so infinitely blessed
that her darling was in such happy home.
But for this, the certain knowledge of Ems
happiness IN Aida prosperity-it is doubtful,
attached as she was to her benefactors, if the
girl would have consented to the prolonged
separation.
But upon those occasions when in her let
ters she had broached the subject of her re-
turn, the proposition had called forth such
passionate entreatieS from the elder sister for
her to remain in her present situation, that
the younger could not fail to perceive that her
happiness could only be promoted by crafty
ing her desire.
Likewise as firmly did En- refuse all invi-
! tations to come North; it was better for her
| to remain where she was-she was quite con-
tent in knowing of her darling's happiness,
and asked nothing more; when she needed
her she. would send for her; but above all
Aida must keep her faithfully posted as tothe
condition of her health.
| Upon this one point she insisted most siren
uouSly, As for herself, there seemed to be no
change for the worse, if her crude letters were
to be relied upon.
Thus two years passed in unalloyed happi-
ness; in the small family no reference was
ever made to what was supposed to be the
curse ofthe Tempests, and her friends believed
that the taint of superstition had been entirely
eradicated from Aida's nature
In the gay and beautiful girl that was the
charm OF this home and social circle, there
certainly was no trace of the almost pagan
fanaticism of her family,
1t was about this period that SAKE awoke to
a realization of the intense love he bore her.
1t was an awakening that fetched with it a
keen sense of pain and apprehension; for
what right had he to suppose that the girl who
had regarded him as an elder brother and
even parent, could be brought to look upon
him i'll the more tender relation he coyeted2
But when, upon the torture of uncertainty and
desire growing too severe for endurance, he
put the question to the test-lo the sweetest
assurance of reciprooated passion became his,
Thank heaven, Aida loved him Thank
heaven, the one wish of her pure young life
was to be his wife
| Loving her with such an absorbing passion,
what wonder was it that SAKE Spencer grew
appalled, as he looked his happiness in the
face, that he was dazed wellnigh by its magni,
tude-that he asked himself if il was possible
for such mortal bliss to continue
Some months after this mutual confession of
sweetest love, SAKE returned home one night
to be met at the door by very wan and
troubled girl.
1t was Aida. In her hand she held paper,
which she offered him.
''Read it," she said, in a small voice.
Sake instantly recognized the stiff and un-
cultivated handwriting. 1t was letter from
En-. 1t contained only two lines.
Come. At last the time is here. | want
you. Lose no time.''
That was all it said, but chill foreboding
seized him. He reached forth his arms, and
suddenly drew his sweetheart to his breast.
Darling" " he said, passionately, 81 cannot
let you go.''
Aida burst into tears.
''She is dying-I know it, | am confident of
it," she cried.
He led her into the dainty small parlor.
Again he said:
II cannot let you go. Oh, we were so
happy. Why need this thing have come to us
now? Do not leave me-"
She looked at him reproachfully.
"And she dying, poor girl. she exclaimed.
'Think how the slow, sad days must have
passed to her in that horrible place. Oh,
Sake, you do not know what a horror have
of those old scenes-it seems as though it
would drive me mad to think of them. And
yet fancy her dying there alone-the still
rooms, the moaning forests, the dark waters,
the graves and damp and mist-Saxe, should
have gone to her long ago."
She was of peculiarly emotional tempera-
ment; that she was agitated now to the ut
termost was eyinced by her trembling form,
pallid face and wild, staring eyes. Secretly
Spencer was terrified.
''You shall not go, he said "my darling
if you have such dislike to the place-it is
no fit spot for you at all. Twill go and attend
to the poor girl as faithfully as you could.'
mo, no; she sent for me, and, oh, SAKE,
my heart goes out to her in perfect agony of
worship, Fear my old home as l may, yet
feel as if | cannot wait to get to her-as
though must fly to my darling. Sake
her voice growing hushed and awed-''I re-
member so well how poor Elinor looked-do
not you? have no doubt En- is very like
her, and she was so beautiful when | left her.
Oh, heaven r'-finging herself outstretched
upon a sofa in sudden abandonment of woe
'shall l, is it possible for me to ever grow
like them?''
Spencer used his utmost endeavor to soothe
her. At last, she grew comparatively COM
posed. 1t was then that she lifted her white
face and propounded a question that made
SAKE Spencer shudder.
'Saxe,' she said, "was there not something
. about curse? 1t seems as though happy
years had interviewed between that time and
this-you have done SO much for me and made
me so happy-yet am sure we were born to
dark inheritance. Oh, my darling, there
} "Hush,n interrupted Spencer, harshly,
'You are talking madness. After these years
of civilization are you as much of savage as
your sisters ~
After more mature reflection both Spencer
and his mother felt that they had no right to
keep Aida from the sister whose heroic re-
, nunciation had been of such benefit to the
younger girl. She was dying now, and it was
meet that they should be together. Aida her
{ self was consumed with the most feverish
longing for the reunion; accordingly the ar,
rangements were speedily made; in spite of
: the girls earnest discussion, Mrs. Spencer
: resolved and arranged to accompany her on
her perilous trip, and SAKE decided to accept
the offer which had that very day been laid
, before him by the firm, viz, to take a flying
trip to Europe on business for his employers.
1t would not consume over three months,
and it would be the most endurable mode of
passing the dreary siege of separation from
his loved ones
If the dying girl were to go to her rest be-
fore his return, they were Immediately to
come North and establish themselves in the
little home to meet him.
Spencer accompanied the ladies as far as
was possible; then came the bitter agony of
actual parting.
''In three months shall come for you, he
cried, straining Aida to his heart, sand though
you be dead or live, | shall take you. Oh,
darling, live for my sake-wait for me; look
for me. 1t will be Easter about that time-I
shall come for you on Easter Eve, beloved, as