Beulah

ist. The orphan hovered on the confines of eternity's ocean, and its silent waves almost laved the feet of the weary child. The room was darkened, and the summer wind stole through the blinds steal

d broad-chested, his head massive and well formed, his face a curious study. The brow was expansive and almost transparent in its purity, the dark, hazel eyes were singularly brilliant, while the contour of lips and chin was partially concealed by a heavy mustache and board. The first glance at his face impressed strangers by its extreme pallor, but in a second look they were fascinated by the misty splendor of the eyes. In truth, those were strange eyes of Guy Hartwell's. At times, searching and glittering like polished steel; occasionally lighting up with a dazzling radiance, and then as suddenly growing g

kered and painful career. Yet the calm, frigid smile which sat on his lip, and looked out defiantly from his deep-set eyes, seemed to dare you to an investigation. Mere physical beauty cannot impart the indescribable charm which his countenance possessed. Regularity of features is a valuable auxiliary, but we look on sculptured marble, perfect in its chiseled proportions, and feel that, after a

at agony seemed to possess her, for she moaned long and bitterly. He tried to arouse her, and, for

n, Beulah? Why

it would be so,

Beulah?" He put hi

ered, then raised her hand for the glass, and, looking fixedly at him, said: "Did Mrs. Grayson say I must take it? Is it poison that kills quickly? There; don't frown, Eugene, I will drink it all for you." She swallowed the draught with a shiver. He laid her back on her pillow and renewed the iced-cloth on her fo

stal of a marble Flora, and a cluster of the delicate purple blossoms peeped through the fingers of the goddess. Further off, a fountain flashed in the moonlight, murmuring musically in and out of its reservoir, while the diamond spray bathed the sculptured limbs of a Venus. The sea breeze sang its lullaby through the boughs of a luxuriant orange tree near, and silence seemed guardian spirit of the beautiful spot, when a whip-poor-will whirred through the air, and, perching on the snowy brow of the Aphrodite, began his plaintive night-hymn. In childhood Guy Hartwell had been taught by his nurse to regard the melancholy chant as ominous of evil; but as years threw their shadows over his heart, darkening the hopes of his boyhood, the sad notes of the lonely bird became gradually soothing, and now in the prime of life he loved to listen to the shy visitor, and ceased to remember that it boded ill. With an ardent love for the beautiful, in all its Protean phases, he enjoyed communion with nature as only an imaginative, aesthetical temperament can. This ke

ed to thy divine beauty! Starry nights, and whispering winds, and fragrant flo

. Chilton stood near the window, and the moonlight flashed over her handsome face. Her brother frowned a

your meditations, but

ent fo

ly don'

good enough

glided graceful

s died away, the master sighed, and returned to the bedside of his charg

y sick, and you are

rossed the room a

e that girl has n

t question at least twice

th a mother's anxiety. I drea

er remain w

home, if I could feel assured

there is no scarlet

glass, which he placed on a stand by Beulah's bed; then, turning to Harriet,

shall stay with the child to-night." As she sp

ll." She did so; and, as her master to

if you are wanted." He waited until she was out of hearing, and, walking

an I tr

njust." She covered her fac

, ind

n my veins, and it will not always tamely bear insult, even from you." She removed the handk

n the unvarnishe

ly, and it was apparent tha

shall re

have made me re

mean to

t her emaciated face. She put her fingers on the burning temples and wrist, and counted accurately the pulsations of the lava tide, then bent her queenly head, and listened to the heavily drawn breathing. A haughty smile lit her fine features as she said complacently: "A mere tempest in a teacup. Pshaw, this girl will not mar my projects long. By noon tomorrow she will be in eternity. I thought, the first time I saw her ghostly face, she would trouble

, then threw her arms restlessly over the pillow, and slept again. Mrs. Chilton drew up a chair, seated herself, and

ent? Not dangero

is now ten minutes past ten; ho

swered sh

I will relieve yo

m not. Let me sit up. I will w

table in the hall. I need nothing but moonlight. Leave the door open." As t