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The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, June 06, 1877, Image 2

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CANTON, D. T.
CABTXR BROTHERS, Publishers.
FITZ GREENE HALLECK.
At the dedication of the Halieck statue in New
York, May 16, Mr. Whlttier contributed the follow
ing poem:.
Among their graven shapes to whom
Thy civic wreaths belong,
0, city of his love I make room
For one whose gift was song.
Not his the soldier's sword to wield,
Nor his the helm of state,
Nor glory of the stricken field,
Nor triumph of debate.
In common wars, with common men,
He served his race and time
As well as if his clerkly pen
Had never danccd to rhyme.
If,
in the thronged and noisy mart,
The Muses found their son,
Could any say liis tuneful art
A duty left undone?
He toiled and sang and year by year
Men found their homes more sweet,
And through a tenderer atmosphere
Looked down the brick-walled street.
The Greek's wild onset Wall street knew,
The Red King walked Broadway,
And Alnwick Castle's roses blew
From Palisades to Bay.
Fair city by the sea! uprise
His veil with reverent hands
And mingle with thy own the praise
And pride of other lands.
Let Greece his fiery lyic breathe
Above her hero urns
And Scotland, with her holly, wrcatne
The flower he culled for Burns.
0, stately stand thy place walls,
Thy tall shpis ride the seas!
To-day thy poet's name recalls
A prouder thought than these.
Not less thy pluse of trade shall beat,
Nor less thy tall fleets swim,
That shaded square and dusty street
Are classic ground through him.
Alive, he loved, like all who sing,
The echoes of his song
Too late the tardy mood we bring,
The praise delayed so long.
Too late, alas!—Of all who knew
The living man, to-day
Before his unvailed face, how few
Make bare their locks of gray I
Our lips of praise must soon be dumb,
Our grateful eyes be dim
O, brothers of the days so come,
Take tender charge of him!
New hands the wires of song may sweep,
New voices challenge fame
But let no moss of years o'ercreep
The lines of Halieck's name.
The Trevanion Crescent.
A TALE IK FIVE CHAPTERS.
CHAPTER I.
Julia, you know you love me!"
The speaker was a handsome, proud
faced youth, wearing the garb of a mid
shipman the scene, a long stretch of
grassy lawn, sloping downward to the
sea, in the north of England, and a noble
forest of chestnut on its southern edge,
beneath whose rustling shadow a young
maiden sat. She laughed scornfully as
the confident assertion fell on her ear, and
sprang to her feet.
You augh," continued the young
midshipman, a fiery glow mantling his
swarthy cheek "yet you dare not deny
it."
The girl faced him her great Oriental
eyes growing almost lurid in their bright
ness.
What do you mean?" she demanded,
haughtily.
"Just what I say—that you love me,
and it is unjust, cruel, unwomanly, to
mask your true feelings, and send me
away without one pledge or promise,
when you know that years must pass
before we ever meet again."
For a single instant the girl's scarlet
lip quivered, and her gleaming eyes
softened. The youth observed it, and
caught her hand, his own face glowing
witn exultation.
"You are relenting!" he cried "I
thought you did not mean it. Oh, my
love, my darling, my peerless, beautiful
Julia! say that you will be true to me—
give me your word that you will be mine,
when I come back to lay my name and
honors at your feet?"
But despite the quiver about her love
ly mouth, she shook her head.
"No, Maurice," she replied, firmly
"I shall make no promises uncle has
forbidden it, and I must obey him. And
it is best. True love needs no vows or
letters to keep it faithful. Go your way,
win your name and your honors, and
when you return you shall have my
answer.
"I shall return to Ravenswold tofind
you already wedded, the bride of some
fortune-seeker, perhaps," retorted Mau
rice, bitterly.
Then you'll forgive and forget ine.
Good-bye, Maurice!"
She held out her hand, resolutely
maintaining her calm self-command,
though the effort paled her very lips.
The. midshipman clasped and carried
it to his lips.
"Oh, Julia! he cried, his eagle eyes
dimming„with tears, how can you be
so heartless? We nave ioved each other
from our childhood up. Your dying
mother put your hand in mine, and gave
us one to the other and now, because
you are rich, and I am penniless, you
will cast me off. But I am a Trevanion
as well as yourself and mark my words,
the day will come, shall come, when
your gold can make no difference between
us!"
"The difference is merely imaginary
now, Maurice."
Her calm, auiet voice cooled his
throbbing blooa.
Then why will you not promise to
become my wife when I return?"
My uncle has forbidden it."
Yes, he intends to double your for
tune in the marriage market but you,
at least, can give me some little token to
assure uie that I shall not be forgotten?"
She drew a tiny jewel-handled knife
from her pocket, ana severing one of the
long, loose ringlets that streamed upon
her shoulders, handed it to him.
Now, are you content," she said, or
shall I give you this?" lifting, as she
spoke, a quaint golden crescent, set with
seven blazing diamonds, that swung
from a gold chain she wore about her
neck.
The young man seized the shining
tress, and carried it to his lips.
"No, no," he cried exultantly "I
wouldn't exchange this precious ringlet
for every jewel the house of Trevanion
boasts. A thousand thanks my beauti
ful darling. It shall be my talisman, to
inspire me with noble 'ambition. But
hark, there are the signal guns! we sail at
three! I must be off. Farewell, Julia!
As sure as God lives, and 1 live, I shall
return and woo you for my bride, and
win you too! Good-bye!"
He caught her hands, pressed them to
his lips, and against his throbbing heart,
and the next moment he was gone.
Julia returned to her seat beneath the
Chestnut shadows, and turning her face
seaward, fell into deep meditation. For
ten years this Maurice Trevanion hud
jteenhef companion, playmate, brother,
lover( all cpmbined. ffer dying mother
had joined their hands, ana bade them
love etch other but hejr uncje
guardian, possessing more foresight and
worldly wisdom, had forbidden, the en
gagement.
"'Twill be like a fetter in coming
years," he said "you are not sure of
your own heart ypt 'twill be time
enough to accept Maurice when he has
won his laurels."
And Julia had hearkened to his ad
vice, and Maurice had gone. A little
stinging thorn, of unrest remorse, pierced
her heart, as she sat there in the closing
afternoon, watching the gorgeous trail of
the sunset on the distant sea. Poor
Maurice, no one else would ever love her
as entirely as he did! Yet the world was
all before her, the enchanted, untired
world, with its honors and homage and
she was only sixteen, and the heir of a
fine fortune and a proud name. What
conquests awaited her in the future! She
lifted the cresent that- hung upon her
bosom, and let the setting sun-rays fall
upon its starry gems, striking out a thou
sand gleaming sparkles. For centuries
it bad been a talisman and an heirloom
with the Trevanions handed down, so
the legend ran, from some remote ances
tor, who fought for the Holy Sepulchre.
Her race was proud and ancient, and she
and Maurice, her cousin, were its sole
representatives. It was meet enough
that they should join hearts and hands
in wedlock. But the future was so
tempting, she could not bring herself to
relinquish all its triumphs.
CHAPTER II.
"Julia,- Julia, do come here!"
Miss Trevanion rose from her seat at
the window, as the eager voice reached
her and held her handkerchief to her
eyes. Then she took an eau-de-cologne
flask from the toilet, and bathed her
face, after which she opened the doir.
She may not have been weeping but
there was a suspicious humidity about
her handsome eyes, and just the slightest
quiver stirred her scarlet lips, as she
turned from the lone stretch of ocean
scenes she had been contemplating.
Well, Kate, what is it? she asked,
quietly.
Why we won't you to comedown and
have your fortune told. There's the
queerest bit of humanity down here you
ever set eyes on. A genuine Egyptian
seer. Do come down, Julia. Carrie and
I are going to have our fortunes told, and
you must hear yours, too. Are you com
ing?
Julia laughed, and then her cheek
flushed. With all her proud blood and
queenly hauteur, she was nothing more
than a simple-hearted, romance-loving
girl.
"I suppose so," she answered "wait
till I get my hat—but 'tis all nonsense."
That may be," said her companion,
as she joined her "but 'twill be fine
fun, at any rate. Come, now, Julia, let's
make a bargain. I'll tell you what mine
is, if you'll tell me."
"Very well I don't expect to hear
any secrets. What a silly girl you are,
Kate your eyes are dancing with ex
citement."
And so are yours. Come, now, con
fess, don't it make your heart beat to
think of of it? Suppose he tells you
you are to wed Maurice, won't you be
frightened?"
"Surprised, rather," suggested Julia
but even while she spoke, a tremulous
sigh escaped her lips, and her brilliant
eyes softened.
Poor Maurice! in the midst of all her
splendor and wealth she could not for
get him. Three years had gone by since
that autumn afternoon, when he bade
her adieu beneath the whispering chest
nut branches and he was still a wan
derer, seeking the fame and fortune
without which he would never return.
Julia heard from him only at long inter
vals, and then through the medium of
her uncle, for as her guardian, he had
forbidden all intercourse between the
two. Maurice was nothing but a head
strong boy, at best, he said, and it would
be sorely against his will to see him in
stalled master of the great Trevanion
fortune. Julia must have a better man
for her husband than a poor mid
shipman, even if he did come of her own
race.
And Julia was taken to London, and
introduced into fashionable circles, by
way of diversion. But the experiment
faiied for, when her wondrous beauty
won the homage of all hearts, and her
hand was solicited by titled suitors, to
the intense surprise and mortification of
her guardian, she refused all offers, and
avowed her intention to keep clear of
matrimonial entanglements.
And now they were down in the south
of England, making arrangements for
their departure for Italy, where it was
their intention to winter.
But you know, Julia," continued
her companion, hurrying, meanwhile,
towards the spot where the Egyptian
seer held court,—"you know you are
waiting for Maurice, and that's why you
reject so many splendid offers but you
certainly were a silly one to refuse Lord
Carnochan, for he is the most charming
man in the world."
Miss Trevanion arched her swan-like
neck proudly, but vouchsafed no re
sponse to the incessant chatter of her
volatile friend.
"Shall I go first, Julia, or will you?"
she continued, as they drew near the
little nook where the gipsy sat, with the
appendages of his enchantment around
him he will only have one person come
at a time, you see."
Then you must go first, by all means."
But, dear me, I shall be frightened to
death—I shall, indeed, Julia! But look
—look here!—here come Carrie and Mr.
Delmar—and she's as white as a ghost!
Carrie, what did he tell you?"
The young lady designated as "Carrie"
came forward, manifesting strong symp
toms of nervous excitement.
Oh, Kate!" she cried, clasping her
friend, and indulging in a little hyster
ical sob, he's told me things that no one
but mycelf knew! And he says But
I dare tell you—oh, dear! oh, dear!"
Kate's imagination was fired, and she
rushed away at once to consult the
oracle, Miss Trevanion looked on—a
smile, half-amused, half-scornful, wreath
ing her haughty lip but as her friend
disappeared behind the clump of ever
greens that fronted the seer's bower, her
gaze wandered seaward, and the expres
sion of her face turned to wistful longing
and regret. All day long the shadow of
the past had hung over. She seemed to
hear the voice of the wind among the
chestnut branches far away.
Poor Maurice!" she murmured, a sad
ness, that she could not define, filling her
•eyes with tears "I would give much to
look upon his brave, hopeful face once
more!
Just then, Lord Carnochan came up
from the strand.
What is it, Miss Trevanion?" he
asked "I saw such a cluster of graces,
that curiosity got the better of discretion,
and I am here to investigate the mystery."
"Why, we are having our fortunes
told, my lord and here comes Katie, who
will inform you in regard to our seer's
capabilities."
"Oh, he is wonderful—indeed he is,
Julia," Kate cried, her cheeks in ablaze
"he told me things that happened years
and years back—and he cast my horo
scope, and he says my future will be very
bright—and," with a conscious blush
agd Bwift glance towards the noble­
man, "assures me that I shall marry a
titled husband."
I envy the happy man," bowed Lord
Carnochan, .gallantly.
Katie tosded her head, blushing even
more vividly.
And see here," she continued^ pro
ducing a small ivory box "this is the
dream-spell. I am to put it under my
head for three successive nights."
And dream of your future husband,"
put in the nobleman "I have heard of
that spell before. What does the box
contain?"
My ring. You have to put in some
valuable article, you know and I put in
my ring—the topaz, you know, Julia?"
"Are you sure the ring is in there?''
asked Carnochan, giving the box a little
shake.
Kate looked indignant.
Of course, I am sure, Lord Carno
chan," she replied "didn't I put it in
with my own hands, and then close the
spring? You will get one too, Julia.
Come, quick! we shall have worlds of
fun."
Miss Trevanion laughed, and said,
"What utter nonsense! And yet, you
see, my lord, that I am no wiser than
the rest of my sex so I go to hear my
destiny."
The gipsy looked up from the book of
fate that lay open on his knee, with a
swift, sweeping glancc of his glittering
eyes, as the beautiful young heiress ap
proached him and there was something
so weird and unearthly about his ap
pearance, that, when he put out liis long,
skinny palm, that she might cross it with
gold, she felt aweel in spite of herself
and when, after much gibbering and
gesticulating, he told her of several
events in her past life, of whose nature
only herself and uncle were cognizant,
she felt her heart throbbing, and her
common sense yielding before the power
of a wonderful and inexplicable mys
tery. The keen son of the forest saw
his advantage, and proceeded rapidly.
Your past has been clouded, my
beautiful lady," he continued "but
your future will be bright, and your
wedded life will be very happy."
Indeed, laughed Julia, recovering
her equanimity "that is certainly en
couraging. An.d now, pray, let me have
the most important fact of all. Who is
to be the sharer of my wedded life?"
The fortune-teller appeared wholly ab
sorbed in the mystic signs before him
for several moments and then he re
plied, He seems to be far away, on dis
tant seas, I think and his face can only
be brought before you by the power of
the dream-spell. Will you try it?
Oh, of course, I wish to leave uoth
ing untried!"
The necromancer nodded approvingly,
and produced a little box similar to the
one Kate had exhibited.
"Now,,' he said, touching a secret
spring by which it was fastened, you
must put in the charm—something you
value.
Julia stood irresolute a moment and
then, with a sudden flush of excitement,
she detached the chain from her neck,
from which the diamond crescent hung.
A queer, quaint old gem, as lustrous as
an Arctic constellation.
I value this more than anything else
I possess," she said "'tis really a
charm, possessed of wondrous properties,
so the legend goes."
She dropped it in and with manifes
tations of approval, the gypsy closed the
box, and after muttering a string of in
cantations, placed it in her hands.
CHAPTER III.
Julia, Julia, do, for pity's sake, let
me in."
Miss Trevanion. was pacing up and
down her chamber, with an air of great
perturbation but at the sound of her
friend's voice, so full of sorrowful en
treaty, she paused, and unclosed her
door. Katie rushed in, her pink cheeks
discolored by tears, and her blonde ring
lets all in a tumble.
"Oh, Julia," she cried, "do tell me
what you have dreamed? I could
scarcely wait to get my clothes on, I
wanted to know so bad."
The heiress smiled sadly, as she kissed
her wayward little friend.
I have dreamed a great many things,
Katie," she said, "that I hope will never
come true but I half believe that gypsy
hits bewitched me."
Oh, Julia, what did you dream?"
"Why, for three successive nights,
the moment I touched my pillow, I
seemed to be out upon a measureless
ocean, with leagues and leagues of roll
ing billows round me, and an inky sky
overhead, on the western verge of
which hung a red, glaring moon. I was
alone, with no hope of escape from the
terrible tempest that howled behind me
but just as my despair became unbear
able, always at the same moment it
seemed, a great vessel, with fluttering
sails and streaming pennon, came in
sight and on its deck, his face brighten
ed with hope
and triumph, was Maurice!"
You love him, Julia," whispered
Katie, half awed by the girl's face "he
is your destiny."
Miss Trevanion's white lips parted as
if a wail were about to escape them but
she resolutely kept it down.
"But, Katie," she continued, her lips
quivering painfully, "just as I seemed to
near the stately ship, she took fire and
burned beneath my very eyes, Oh, the
lurid, hissing flames, and Maurice's white
face sinking down, down! the sight will
haunt me till my death! It became so
terrible real this morning, that I took
the box from beneath mv pillow, and
hurled it across the room—1 believe it is
accursed."
"Have you opened it, Julia, asked
Katie.
"What! the box? No!"
I have opened mine, and it contained
this—not my beautiful topaz."
She extended her hand, upon the palm
of which lay a worthless copper coin.
Miss Trevanion started to her feet,
with a wild terror in her eyes, and
snatched the little box from her toilet.
"Oh, Katie!" she cried, her fingers
fluttering nervously "I can't unlock the
thing. Oh, dear, I believe I shall go
mad!"
Katie took it from her, and touched
the spring. It opened with a sharp snap.
There was a similar coin within, but the
diamond crescent was gone."
"My heavens!" moaned Julia, sinking
down and.burying lier face in her hands.
What a fool I have been! Oh, what
will uncle say?"
"Don't tell him," suggested Katie.
I shan't let papa know about my topaz.
But 'tis too bad arfd to think I should
dream of not one soul but red-haired
Tom Herries! Oh, dear! I had dream
ed of a decent man, I wouldn't have
cared so much."
Miss Trevanion smiled, in spite of
herself, at the child's simplicity.
"It were a poor consolation, Katie,"
she said, to have dreamed of the best
man in the world. If I had lost any
other jewel I possessed, I wouldn't say a
word but that' crescent has been in'our
family, for centuries, and when my dying
father placed it in my hand, he bade me
guard it as I did my honor, and repeated
he old tradition, 'With the-crescen
will depart the honor and glory of the
Trevanions.' Woe is me, that I should
be the one to lose it!"
Just then a servant entered, with the
information that her uncle desired her
immediate presence in his room and
with a beating heart and fluttering
nerves, she hurried down. He met her
at the door, with a pale and troubled
face.
My dear niece," lit! began, the mo
ment he had seated her, and resumed
his own place beside a table piled with
papers, "I have painful and sorrowful
news to communicate. I received letters
from my agent this morning, and the
latest London papers
"Go on, sir," Julia said, her voice
sounding hoarse and unnatural.
"The 'Albatross,'" he continued,
took fire on the Indian Ocean, and
every soul, except a couple of sailors,
perished. My agent had seen these men,
and assured me that poor Maurice was
certainly lost."
For at least five minutes after the
fatal announcement the silence of the
grave reigned at last her uncle cleared
his throat once or twice, and said in a
constrained voice:—" You must not take
this sorrowful dispensation too sorely,
my dear God knows best, and we must
submit to His will."
Oh, if I could have had One word—
one last good-bye," moaned Julia, lifting
her face from her hands, so white ana
changed by the few moments of agony
she had endured, that her uncle regard
ed her in pained surprise.
"I hoped," he continued, that this
news would not affect you, or I would
not have broken it so suddenly. My
dear, allow me
"Oh, uncle—uncle!" she broke out
passionately, "you hoped it would not
affect me to hear that he was gone—
dead—lost to me for ever—when every
hour I lived was a prayer for his return?
Oh, you are cold, cruel, heartless it was
your hand that parted us, and sent him
away. And I loved him—oh, I loved
him! and no my heart is broken! Ah,
heaven, that Egyptian was a wizard—
the crescent is gone—the glory has de
parted from the Trevanions."
She arose and tottered from the room,
wringing her slender hands in agony.
She takes it hard," mused her uncle,
returning to his unread letters "but she
will outlive it. God's dispensations are
all wise and just."
CHAPTER IV.
"Julia Trevanion! What a gorgeous
name, suggestive of all manner of love
liness. I should imagine the possessor of
this name a rare brunette, richly dark,
with luscious hues on cheek and lip, and
eyes like the depths of an Arctic night."
You have drawn her portrait out
and out. Are you clairvoyant, or have
you seen her?"
"No, neither—I have dreamed of
her, rather, till my very fancy grows
prescient. Shall we fight a duel, Walton
if I chance to win this fair lady's fa
vor?
For a single instant, Captain Frank
Walton's handsome blonde face dark
ened, and a sudden flash lit his eye.
So you are my rival," he said. Poor
return for my friendship, Belmore."
We'll have a fair contest, old fellow,
and he who wins may wear."
Then you're determined to enter the
lists?"
"Iam!"
If I had known as much I might
have left you to die beneath the shadow
of the Pyramids, instead of nursing you
back to life, and bringing you here to
supplant me."
His companion faced him, with a wist
ful expression in his eyes.
Walton," he said "you are my best
friend don't let this thing come between
us. I'll be frank with you. From the
moment I first heard her name, to win
this peerless woman has been the one
dream of my heart. I shall try hard to
accomplish it, you may be sure."
And you'll succeed," Walton broke
in there's*o fail in your vocabulary.
But we won't fall out, old boy here is
my hand, and here comes the heiress.
Don't you detect that odor of heliotrope?
it always preceeds her."
The two young men stood near the en
trance of a magnificent green house,
from whose dim recesses floated the silv
ery splash of fountains and the breath of
untold blossoms.
It was at Ravenswold, the old country
seat of the Trevanions, at an entertain
ment given in honor of Miss Trevanion's
return from Italy. She had been trav
eling for over live years, in company
with her uncle and at last, grown weary
of rambling and sight-seeing, she had
comc back to take possession of her old
home and fortune. Bonifant, the house
keeper, had received orders to make
ready for an entertainment on the night
after her return and now the invited
guests were awaiting their hostess.
"Hist! here she comes," whispered
Walton, drawing back into the shadow
of an aloe-tree. "Now, Belmore, open
your eyes and look upon a goddess for
amid womankind, Julia Trevanion has
no equal. I met her in Rome last win
ter, and she was divine. Heavens, she is
lovelit-r than ever! Look, Belmore!"
A queenly form, royal in every curve
and motion, clad in jet black velvet,
with creamy laces at the throat and
wrists, and a single solitary diamond
burning on the clasp that held her girdle
a face, dark aud Drilliant as a tropic
rose, crowned by massive waves of blue
black hair, amid whose dusky splendor
glowed a ruby star. That was Julia Tre
vanion!
She came down the saloon with the air
of an empress, receiving and welcoming
her guests right and left. Walton seized
his friend's arm, and struggled through
the crowd until he reachedTner side. She
recognized him with a flattering smile,
and held out her hand.
I am glad to see you, Captain Wal
ton," she said, her voice as sweet and
clear as the note of a thrush. It is
both flattering and gratifying to meet
you in the foremost ranks of the friends
who are here to welcome me."
"You overwhelm me with kindness,
Miss Trevanion. And here is my best
friend, whom I have brought all the way
from Egypt to make your acquaintance,
thereby securing for myself a most dan
gerous rival. I am not a selfish man,
you perceive, Miss Trevanion? Shall I
present him?"
The heiress bowed cordially, at the
same time flashing a rapid glance over
the new-comer.
He was a very prince among men and
as her eye swept his noble, firmly-knit
figure and handsome face, a faint flush
deepened the rose-hue on her cheeks, and
something like real interest brightened
the depths of her magnificent eyes.
Miss Trevanion, my friend, Mr. Ran
dolph Belmore."
The gentleman bowed deeply over the
exquisite hand that lay for a moment in
his own.
I am very happy to meet you, Mr.
Belmore, I hope you will find the even
ing pleasant. Do, Captain Walton,"
make your-friend acquainted with some
of these charming ladies. See they are
streaming in by dozens you cannot fail
to be pleased, Mr. Belmore, no matter
how fastidious your taste may be."
Begging your pardon, Miss Trevan
ion, Mr. Belmore, like myself, is sworn
to the worship of but one idol."
The lady laughed merrily, shaking her
jewelled fan at the audacious gallant.
Your admiration is a trifle too noisy
to be sincere, Captain Walton," she said
however, we will accept it as the genii'
ine article.. But remember the condi
tions, gentlemen—unto the man who will
restore to me my 'diamoud crescent,"
will I give my hand and heart, and all
my earthly possessions otherwise, I shall
go down to my grave in single blessed
ness. But my duties as hostess summon
me away. Au revoir!"
Waving her hand, she passed on, leav
ing the two young men gazing after her
in rapt and breathless admiration.
What a splendid creature!" murmur
ed Walton "she reminds me of a
beautiful desert steed, with her flashing
eyes and haughty fearlessness! But,
after all, a less perfect woman would
make a more comfortable wife don't you
think so, Belmore
But his friend made no answer lie
stood like one bewildered, a burning
crimson mantling his swarthy cheek, ana
an exultant light in his eyes that was al
most dazzling. But Walton failed^ to
notice this unusual excitement, for just
at this moment a light touch on his
sleeve called his attention in another di
rection. He turned to look down upon
the freshest of faces framed in blonde
curls, and to hear his name called in the
sweetest of tones imaginable.
Why, Miss Katie!" he cried, with a
start of genuine pleasure. "I thought
you were in London. What an unex
pected pleasure to meet you here!"
I was in town," replied Katie,
smiling and blushing "but I coaxed
papa to bring me down in time for Julia's
party. I could not bear to miss it, she
always gets up such exquisite affairs.
Isn't she looking superb after her pro
longed tour?"
Not a whit better than another lady
of my acquaintance," said Captain Wal
ton, smiling down upon her with the
familiarity of an old friend, though she
is very magnificent. I have just been
presenting her to my friend Mr. Bel
more, ana I believe her charms have
dazed him. Look at him he hasn't
winked his eyes for fifteen minutes.
Belmore, come, wake up, man, and let
me present you to my friend, Miss Katie
Somers, whom you have heard me speak
of so aften."
Mr. Belmore turned, and smiled down
with the kindness and gallantry of a
gentleman, upon the little figure beside
him and then his eyes wandered to a
distant part of the room, where the heir
ess stooa surrounded by her friends.
What could she have signified," he
said, half addressing his friend, and half
communing wish himself, about the
diamond crescent? She must have lost
it?"
I'm sorry I can't enlighten you," re
plied Captain Walton. "I know she
used to have such a gem. Do you know
anything about it, Miss Katie?
Katie laughed, and blushed to her very
finger-tips.
I should think I did," she answered
"she lost it when we were down in the
South of England, and I lost my beauti
ful topaz, but I won't tell you how, you
are such a tease, Captain Walton. But
Julia has almost broken her heart about
that queer old crescent and she declares
she will marry any man who will restore
it to her."
"Do you hear that, Belmore? Do
you think, my fine fellow, you will be
able to comply with her conditions?"
I think I shall," he replied, his firm,
bearded lips quivering like a woman's.
"But do you think she would really
keep her promise, Miss Somers, inde
pendent of any preference her heart
might feel?"
I think she would never break her
word but there is not the least hope that
the crescent will ever be found, and
Julia's 'conditions,' as she terms it, are
merely a subterfuge to conceal her de
termination never to marry. I don't
know that I ought to be speaking of my
friend's affairs, but her suitors are num
berless, and not one finds favor in her
sight. When the Albatross was burned
three years ago, her cousin was lost, and
she will never love any other man."
Mr. Belmore turned sharply, without
a word, and walked away.
Now, see what you've done," laughed
Walton the man will go out and hang
himself."
Little tender-hearted Katie Somers
looked after him uneasily.
Oh, dear, how sorry I am I said it,"
she cried but he may as well know it
now, for Julia will let him hear it soon
enough. Poor fellow!"
CHAPTER V.
Weeks had passed away, and there was
another grand entertainment.
Miss Trevanion, the rooms are heat
ed will you walk with me to the green
house? You will find the change re
freshing, and I have something to say to
you, if you will be good enough to hear
me."
Mr. Belmore placed her in a seat, a
rustic chair, above which trailed a creep
ing plant, raining down showers of in
cense and painted petals. Her dress of
Susky
old-colored silk gleamed strangely in
moonlight, and her -expectant,
drooping face, crowned by its coronet of
raven hair, had never before seemed ha^f
BO
wondrous in its beauty. He folded
his arms across his breast, and stood gaz
ing down upon her, his eyes full of an
indescribabfe mournftllness.
"Miss Trevanion," he said, at last,
the words I am about to speak may
banish me forever from your presence,
yet they cannot remain longer unsaid. I
love you—will you be my wife?"
Simple, short avowal, yet it thrilled
the proud beauty's heart as long and
flattering declarations had never done.
For a few moments she was Silent, her
face hidden in her hands, her bosom
heaving convulsively beneath its waves
of costly lace. But when she looked up
at last, her eyes were clear and calm, her
voice without a quiver. No matter how
this man's love moved her, she would
cast it aside like all the rest.
"Mr. Belmore," she said, "a true
woman always feels honored by receiv
ing an avowal of love from a good man.
I beg of you to accept my thanks for
the honor you have done me but I can
only give you my friendship in return."
But, Miss Trevanion," ne continued,
struggling to maintain his composure,
if I have been correctly informed, you
made a promise in regard to a lost jewel
—a diamond crescent, I believe."
She looked up with sudden terror.
I did but in all human probability
the diamond crescent will never be
found."
"But supposing it should be found,
would you keep your word, Miss Tre
vanion, and marry the fortunate man
who had found it?
For a moment die was silent, and then
she said, "I have never broken my
word, Mr. Belmore."
Then," he cried, placing a small
package on her lap, "I am a happy
man. I give you back your crescent,
Miss Trevanion."
She unfolded the package with flutter
ing fingers, and the famedold Trevanion
jewel flashed before her eyes like a newly
risen constellation. She caught it up
and pressed it. to her lips.
Oh, I am so glad, she cried—"so
glad! I thought it was gone forever.
Oh, Mr. Belmore!"
Then meeting hiB ardent gaze, she
paused, dropped her burning face in her
hands, and finally burst into a passion of
tews- fad, 5 TO
The strong, noble hearted man stood
gazing down upon her, his face expres
sive of conflicting emotions. At last,
he put out his hand and stroked the
shining bands that covered her stately
head.
"Beautiful, queenly head." he mur
mured, "I would give my life for the
privilege of holding it one moment, on
my breast. Ah, Miss Trevanion, you
will never be loved by mortal man as I
love yeu. But I give you back your
crescent, and with it, freedom from your
promise. I would not force your heart,
though I would die to win it."
She raised her lovely face, all bathed
with tears.
"Oh, God bless you!" she sobbed
"you are as generous as you are noble
and gifted. Mr. Belmore, if I could
love any man, that man would be your
self, but my heart is buried fathoms
beneath the sea and if I should wed
with any man, the dear, dead face of
my girlhood's love would rise like a
spectre between me and happiness. I
snail never marry, Mr. Belmore 'I've
lost my corner by the household hearth,
behind the heads of children.'
No, heaven forbid!" he cried, going
down on his knees before her, kissing
her hands, her hair, the very hem of her
golden robe. Oh, my darling—my
peerless, beautiful Julia this is the very
extreme of both bliss and pain. You
love me—you are true to me and yet
you do not know me. I am Maurice,
your cousin the sailor boy who parted
from you under the chestnut trees,
seven weary years ago. When the Al
batross was burned, I was saved by a
miracle. I have had dangers and ad
ventures that would fill volumes but
through all I have kept my vow, and ac
complished my purpose. I have won
both wealth and renown, and I am here
to lay them at your feet. A year ago, I
started homeward, but a fever struck me
down in Egypt, and the friend who
nursed me talked incessantly of you.
Then and there I resolved to return
under an assumed name, and if you had
had forgotten me, to try and win back
your love. The very gods favored me,
for in Paris, when I went one day to a
renowned jeweler's to purchase some
fitting gift for you, to my infinite sur
prise, I stumbled upon the old Trevanion
crescent. I persuaded the lapidary to
let me have it, and there it is. Julia,
you have heard my story look into my
face, and tell me if you know me—if
you can trust me."
She was sobbing like a child, but she
put out her hands to clasp his.
Oh, Maurice," she cried, letting her
queenly head drop upon his breast, "I
know you, I trust you, and I love you.
Thank heaven, you have come back to
me again!"
A week later, the two friends stood
together.
"Well, Walton, you won't refuse to
congratulate me, will you?" said Mau
rice, extending his liana.
Not I, my dear fellow," cried the
young man, seizing the hand, and giving
it a hearty shake. "You are welcome
to your queenly cousin. I have found
some one that will suit me better, and
must claim your good wished in return."
Why, old friend, this is good news,
indeed the one bitter drop in my cup of
bliss, wns the fear that my success might
cause you pain. Who is the fortunate
lady?
Little Katie, of course. She won me
in spite of myself. She is the bosom
friend of your beautiful intended, and we
are all to be wedded on the same day.
So says the programme."
And a brighter day never dawned.
The double marriage was celebrated lit
Ravenswold, the old home of the Tre
vanions, and with the restoration of the
diamond crescent was revived the waning
glory and renown of that time-honorea
race.
A Chinese Bath-House.
A Shanghai correspondent of the San
Francisco Chronicle, writing of a visit to
a Chinese bath-house, says: Within we
were accosted by a damp-looking spec
imen of humanity, with a face shrivelled
up like a washerwoman's thumb, who
proved to be the proprietor, who con
sented for a consideration to allow us to
examine the .workings of the establish
ment. Pulling aside a dirty curtain we
were ushered into a large room, in which
a half-dozen tallow dips made feeble ef
fort to illuminate the surrounding ob
jects. A tank some fifteen feet long and
ten wide was sunk in the floor to the
depth of four feet, and possibly contined
500 gallons of water, heated by means of
underground furnaces to quite a high
temperature, and in which I counted
fourteen bathers at one time, while at
least twenty others were either preparing
to enter or completing their toilet prior
to departure. The proprietor seemed
quite proud of his accommodations, and
after politely inviting us to take a bath,
which we reluctantly declined, gave us
the following information: The tank is
refilled with clean water every midnight,
and is not again changed for the twenty
four hours succeeding. His customers
arrived at any hour between daylight
and midnight, and usually numbered
about one hundred and fifty aday. None
were refused admission on anv account,
of filth or disease. I tried to impress on
the keeper what a great advantage he
would nave over rival establishments if
he would introduce a tooth-brush on the
end of a chain, but he was inclined to re
gard it as an innovation calculated to
en
gender too luxurious ideas, and there
fore declined it. Seriously speaking,
this frightful system of bathing is the
cause of propagating more disease than
any other met with in this pestilential
land, if we except epidemics, which can
hordly be regarded as causes.
Refinement.
Refinement is not fastidiousness. It is
not luxury. It is nothing of this kind.
It is far removed from excess or waste.
A person who is truly refined will not
squander or needlessly consume anything.
Refinement, on the contrary, is always
allied to simplicity and a judicious and
tasteful employment of the means of the
good and happiness which it has at com
mand. It seeks to divest itself of super
fluities, and aspires continually to the
utmost purity. Refinement leads to
personal cleanliness and elegant neatness,
good taste and simplicity to dress. All
"loudness" or flashincss is repugnant to
its spirit. In its home and surround
ings, the same chasteness and natural
grace are maintained. The abode of
.genuine refinement and a mere pretend
er to it are very different. In the former
you will find no excess, gaudiness or
false glitter but the latter abounds in
them. In personal manner, refinement
is most conspicuous. A man of refine
ment is always polite without effeminacy
and considerate without stiffness. Dis
play and ceremony are identical without
refinement like that of the heart, which
impels its possessor to show on all occa
sions a regard for the feelings of others.
No adherence to etiquette can compare
with it for the spontaneous observance
of true and gratifying politeness.—Ntw
Yorker.
PRESIDENT GRANT draws the sword
as he is about to embark for Europe.
The sword was a present to him, and
stored in the Treasury, and now be feas
taken it oat for safe-keeping,
..-THE PUJfMHED.
BY SLIiA WHEELER.
Not they who know the awful gibbet's anguish,
Not they who, while sad years go by them, in
The sunless cells of lonely prisons languish,
Do suffer fullest penalty lor sin,
'Tlsthey who walk the highways unsuspected,
Yet with grim fear for ever at their side.
Who clasp the corpse of some sin undetected,
A corpes no grave or coffin lid can hide
'Tis they who are in their own chambers haunted
By thoughts that like unwelcome guests intrude,
Ana sit down uninvited and unwanted, ».
And make a nightmare of the solitude.
—Galaxy
WIT Aim HUMOR.
SONG of the period—"Sprig, sprig,
beautiful sprig!"
THOSE glorious summer nights ar&
coming when a lover whispers impassion
ed words in the dreamy ear of a favored
maiden, and feels his undershirt sticking
to him closed than a brother.
WHEN a man reaches the top of a
stair and attempts to make one more
step higher, the sensation is as perplex
ing as if he had attempted to kick a dog
that wasn't there.—Oil City Call.
BOY," said an ill-tempered old fellow
to a noisy lad, "what are you hollerin'
for when I am going by "Humph!"
returned the boy, "what are yougoin' by
for when I am hollerin'
IN some parts of the world the days
are four months long, and when a lively
boy of twelve years. accompanies his
parents to church for the first time, he
thinks he has struck one of those days,
sure.—Norristown Herald.
WHEN you hear a mother calling to
her son to "Come and shut the shut
ters," and hear him respond," It is shut,
mother, and I can't shut it any shutter,"
do you ever pause to analyze the delicate
beauties of our language?
AMID the clash of arms and roaring
of cannon on the Danube it is, indeed,
refreshing to hear the good old period
ical announcement that "Nicsic has
been revictualled for six weeks to come."
Nicsic is death on victuals.
A MAN may be brave enough in day
light for a major general, but let the
dish-pan fall down the cellar stairs, and
he will set up in bed holding his breath,
with his eyes sticking out like pot-feet,
wondering which way the ghost is com
ing.—Easton Prm.
JEAN PAUL said Rachel was the only
woman he ever met who had any humor.
He would never have said it if he could
have seen a Jersey woman put a scuttle
full of coal in the middle stair and sit up
till her husband came home from the
lodge.
STICK a ginger snap on the end of a
knitting needle and you have the latest
style of parasol."—Herald, P. I. And
wrap a sheet of foolscap around the neck
of a mineral water bottle and you have
the latest style of gent's collar.—Noiris
town Herald.
A YOUNG lady on Embargo street re
cently received the following note, and is
heart-broken: "You needn't 'spect me
to yewr hous no more sunda nites a girl
wat leaves gum a sticken on the parlor
chares for a feller to sit on ain't the girl
for me. JIM."—Rome Sentinel.
WERE you a member of the army?"
asked the traveler of the wooden-legged
man from West Hill. Yes sir," was
the reply "I was membered by a re
cruiting officer, dismembered by a rebel
artillerist, and remembered by a peg-leg
manufacturer.—Burlington Hawheye.
TIIEY have kissing fairs out west—
forty cents a kiss—Exchanye. We knew
there was something we were suffering
for. Bring us along a couple of fairs—
the fairer the better—and we'll invest,
if we have to do without a straw hat all
summer.—Easton Free Press.
THE wheat has been beaten down by
rain, the peaches have been nipped in
the bud, Colorado beetles are after the
potatoes, grasshoppers are consuming the
hay crop, and altogether if the war con
tinues, poor people will be compelled to
live on pie and ice cream.
THE man on West Hill got up the
other night to see a dose of anti-bilious
Eoy's
ills. By some mistake he got into his
box of marbles and swallowed half
a dozen of blood allies and commies, and
now as he walks about the streets he
rattles like a pasteboard dice-box.—
Haw
hey*.
THEoldest mason in the United States"
is making arrangements for a re-union,
with a view to effecting a permanent
organization of himself. The re-union
will be large, and indeed, if all the oldest
masons get there, will be the largest
gathering of the kind ever held in this
country.—Hawkeye.
IT is marvelous the vitality there is to
Cuba. Here it has kept up a war for
years with a.powerful nation, and at the
same time kept up the manufacture of
its staple article, Havana cigars, sup
plying nearly all America and a good
part of Europe. If one-half of the
cigar makers should lay off their aprons
and take up arms, the Spaniards would
be swept from the face of the earth, and
their things sold by auction in less than
sixty days.—Danbury News.
GOOD John Wilkins, of Stafford, used
to say of billiards: "it seemeth to me
if a mannehave no better use for hys
time than to sprawl upon a table with
one of his legges indecently in the air,
striving to make one balle upon a green
cloth to strike another, it were better
that he practyse standing on hys head,
the which not only needeth the greater
skill, but -withal doth make the breaking
of a worthless back more likely."
WHEN a man is laid up with a broken
leg, (remarks the Norwich Bulletin), and
there is no flour in the house, nothing
pleases him so much as to have the mem
bers of the society to which he belongs
present him with a series of resolutions
expressing their high appreciation of
his fine moral character.
MRS. HAYES is a very particular lady
about the house. Mr. Hayes has to go
out DU the well curb when he wants to
smoke, as the flavor is disagreeable to
her, besides making the lace curtains un
pleasant. The Secretary of the Navy,
Mr. Thompson, when he calls of an even
ing, leaves his cigar on the stoop, and
when the wind is high it is quite fre
quently carried oft the stoop into the
grass, and the Secretary is sometimes oc
cupied ten or fifteen minutes in hunting
-it up. One very dark night last week he
devoted a half hour to a fruitless search,
and went away muttering, "Curse this
style!"—Danbury News.
IT is no longer a stove, but a range.
And a very handsome and convenient
article it is, to be sure. It takes up about
one-third of the kitchen, but its company
is better than its room. It has a hot
water chamber, an tush-sifter and a re
frigerator attachment. There are holes
enough for a skate strap, and the ovens
are merely the catacombs in a reduced
form. It is a real comfort to do work
With it, and it is a genuine pleasure to
just stand around and look at it. As a
piece of scenery alone it is well its price.
It is graceful in form and imposing in
appearance, and weighs about two tons,
ana when a man gets hold of one corner
with a view of luting it, he feels as if
one ol the chief gods in mythology were
slapping him right across the spine with
ft petrified Oodflsh.—New*.||g|

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