LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2306, 25 August 1881, Page 4

LITERATURE.

THE FOETUNB-TELLEE. Arr American Story [By Francos E. Wadleigh, in the ' Argosy.’] ( Concluded ) ‘ Yes, Philip, ’ answered Minnie, after much sweet pleading from her lover, ‘ I do love you, and for that reason I must say no to you.’ Pressing her yielding form to his manly faiart, he whispered—- ‘ But you cannot mean both yes and no, my darling ! You have owned that yon love mo ; why may I not ask your father for you ? He does not dislike me, I think. ’ ‘ Oh no ; he esteems you very highly. Bn; you know my misfortune.’ * Your misfortune ?’ echoed ho, mystified ‘Yes; there is a dark fate in store for me, and I c nnot let you link your life to mine, lest the curse fail on you too.’ ‘Nonsense, Minnie. Yon don’t really place any faith in that wretched old Indian’s ravings, do you ?' asked Philip with loving raillery. ‘ Hash, hush! Pon’b apeak so of her ’ ‘ What harm can that old hag do to me —or to you either?’ answered Philip, kissing and again the sweet red lips which trembled with fear fo« him. and the gentle eyes that moistened with tears on his account. * Don’t Philip !' cried Minnie, as she tried, nether feebly it must bo confessed, to draw from his embrace. ‘lt is of no nsa for you to love me ; I shall not live to be twenty 01 to marry.’ ‘ Yes you will, if the unremitting care of your attending physician can prolong your life,’ laughed he. When Judge Harnett was appealed to by Philip, he readily gave his consent to the proposed marriage bat his wife was n t so cordial. When alone with her husband she said —

‘ I do not aee how you could have said yes to young Kenwick without any proviso whatever. Just think how little we really know about him ! Perhaps this curse is to croe through him.’ ‘Oh hang that curs’! For a sensible woman, Minerva, you do harp most abomiuably on one string I’m sick of it,’ said the judge ; but his tone was not as cross as his words.

‘So am I; sick of hearing of as well as thinking of it You are incredulous, I know, hut at lea>.t you can go to his former home, and enquire ail about Philip’s past Ufa.’

As that was only common sense, enrsj or nr. cu’ae, the Judge agreed to it, and his enquiries brought to lignt nothing unfavorable te his would bo son-in-law. tio the e gagemsat was a settled thing. With his usua! iurpetuoslty, P ilip began at once to talk of the wedding day. but Minnie would not, for a -ong time consent to even discuss the possibility of marriage. ‘ Can .1 rover norsuade you that you are m.'.rbiil on this subject ?’ said he one day. ‘ N’o,’ replied Miunio, sadly ; ‘ and what is more, you cannot convince mo that your icrredu’ity is genu'ne.’

‘ 1 think I can ! You believe, don’t you.

that I am In a hurry to be married 7 that I’d go for ring and licence this very honr if yon would permit to?’ Minn-e laughed aa she replied demurely, ‘ I think yon have hinted as much once or twice.’ • I certainly shall be neither happy nor contented until you are my own dear and so strong is my belief that that old Nushbawun is a humbug, that I hereby solemnly appoint the 21st of Jane next, the day after fho Awful Unknown is to take place (according to the squaw), aa our wedding day. Now do yen behove that I really scorn the prediction ?’ • Oh, Philip 1 you did not see her and hear her as I did that day ! Child aa I was. she frightened mo; her tones were awful ; the cast fierce looks at me ’ • You have heard “II Trovatore, have yon not ?’ . Surprised at his apparently irrelevant question, Minnie responded in the affirma- • Then perhaps you remember the first scene, where Ferrando sings and Philip, in a rich baritone voice, sang with mock tragic gestures—--11 Abbietta Zingara, fosca vegliarda ! Cingevai slmboli di railiarda ; E sui fanciullo con vice arcigno, L’ocohio affiggea torvo sangaino !” • Bat Philip, that old witoh did no mischief,’ exclaimed Minnie. ‘To her own child, not to the count’s, yon remember. Now, to remind you that even first-class operatic, Spanish gipsies’ curses are not infallible (and so, of course, an every day half civilised American Indian’s drunken ravings cannot be), every time I hear you allude to Nushbawun I shall sing “Abfcietta Zingara,” no matter where we are.' Philin kept his word, and Minnie so dreaded to hear Ferrando’s song, knowing that it was intended as kindly mockery, that she rarely alluded to her own terrors. But Philip could not be always with her, nor could she readily overcome the fear of years. So as the dreaded day drew near, both Minnie and her mother became pale and sad. The morning of the twentieth dawned clear, balmy, and beautiful. Up to this date no shadow of evil had fallen upon Minnie. But then, argued the incredulous, old Naflhbawun had said that it was to be on, not before, the twentieth that Judge Harnett was to be punished through his child. In accordance with the judge’s orders, all was ready for the morrow. Guests were bidden from far and near to witness the marriage in the morning, to join in the sumptuous wedding breakfast at noon, and to while away the afternoon —evening too, if they choose —with music, dancing, and merriment. Every one who was invited had accepted with seeming alacrity ; seeming, for in their hearts moat of them felt that it was all a mookery, a vain braving of fate. The bridal dress and veil were marvels of fineness and beauty ; but Mrs Harnett gave a tearful assent to Minnie’s whispered request that she might be robed in them for her coffin. The day—oh, how long it seemed I —crept slowly by. One relative after another arrived from distant towns, so that before sunset the house was full. By sunset, too, Minnie and her mother were so nervous with excitement and apprehension, that Dr. Barton drew Judge Harnett and Philip aside, and said—- ‘ Those two are almost crazed ! We are the only ones who do not look and apeak os if death were already in the house. My advice is to give each of them a soothing draught, a strong sedative that will tide them safely over the rest of the day. If we don’t do something poor Minnie will reaMy go crazy; her brain is half on fire now ; and so the old witch—or demon—will see her prophecy fulfil itself ’ His listeners agreed with him, and he added — • In the breast pocket of my linen drivingcoat, Philip, you will find some powders that I brought over for this very purpose. Mix two of them in two tumblers half fall of water, and administer them to Minnie andfMra Harnett.’ Philip hastened to execute his uncle's command, and when he handed the glass to Minnie, he said—- • Here, dear, drink this; it will quiet your nerves ; yon are worn out, and X don’t want a ghostly bride to-morrow.’ ‘To morrow 1’ echoed Minnie, sadly, drinking the opiate. • Yes, to-morrow,’ repeated he firmly. ' Now lie down on this sofa for a few moments, and you, Mrs Harnett, settle yourself comfortably in this big armchair Go to sleep, both of you’, and when yon wake up, you will be happier.’ So, taking no notice of the clinging fondness with which Minnie returned his kisses, as if saying farewell, he darkened the windows, and left the room. The evening passed and -midnight came, but the sleepers remained secluded. • Twelve o’clock ! ’ cried Philip, aa the last stroke died away from the clock on the mantelpiece. ‘ Let’s wake them, and have a langht at their expense.’ ‘ No, no 1 let them sleep a little longer,’ answered the doctor. 'My dose was a strong one, and they may not waken for some time. Send the visitors to bed, and we will doze here in our chairs until morning.’ So the three gentlemen »at by the open windows in the library, smoking, dozing, and occasionally talking ; and watched the sweet June night, the shortest in the year, turn fiom semi darkness to the glorious twilight of an early midsummer’s day. At last the sun shot hla beams athwart the sky, and then showed a broad, amiliog face in the east. ‘Sunrise 1’ cried Philip. ‘Now It is day. my wedding day I The twentieth is past and gone ; lot us rouse the sleepers.’ And, followed by Philip and his uncle, Judge Harnett led the way into the darkened room, threw open the shutters, and Hooded the apartment with daylight. Kneeling down by Minnie, Philip clasped her hands In bin. ‘ Wake up, little wife!’ he cried. ’You have slept over the twentieth; the sun of another day greets yon !’ Minnie and Mrs; Harnett both started uj) quickly, crying in alarm- ‘ What has happened ? What is the matter?’ ’ Matter ? Nothing, thank God !’ replied the judge. Philip could not speak; hia lips wore otherwise engaged; bat the doctor, with tears in his ojea, growled—‘The matter Is that Nuahbawan is a humbug and you have been two dear, deluded fools. The dreaded day is gone, and in jnst six hours there will be a wedding in this house.’ There w-s no disputing facts ; it was indeed the twenty-firs*. And such a merry wedding as it was ! If Nuebbav un had ever returned (but she was never again seen in that vicinity) she Would have been town prophetess no longer. No one would have had faith in her after this egregi us failure.