The Human Vampire; Or, The Elixir of Life — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

8 THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. THE ARRIVAL OF THE CHILD CHANGED THE CONVERSATION.—Chap. iv. think Lillian could be induced to go to my home on a yisit, and then you might force Mr. Vivian to come to terms while she was gone?” ‘Try her. She seems determined that no word shall be spoken against this man in her presence. She tries to keep up a pretense that all is well, Oall it a visit and she may be in- duced to go.” ‘T shall try my utmost. Oh, Mr. Tatnall, believe me, do believe me, thst Lam willing to do anything in the world for Lillian.” *‘T do believe you. Now, Miss Hunter, I shall leave you. Ask her to-night—do something soon, for matters grow worse every day. Good-night, and Godspeed.” He left her, and Grace made up her mind to remain up until Lillian should return home and try her utmost to win her confidence before she slept that night. The hours dragged slowly on, and at length a carriage stopped before the door. Some une alighted using a latch-key, Grace regretted that she had remained up, for she knew the master of the house, and not the mistress, had arrived. She withdrew into the back parlor, trusting to escape obser- vation. Algernon Vivian, contrary to his usual habits, walked into the parlor where the lights were burning dimly. “Well,” he said, throwing himself into a chair with an oath,’ so the queen has not returned, neither has the long-faced Quukeress, the satellite.” ‘‘No, the ladies have not yet returned,” said Gregory, who was not awure that Grace had not accompanied her friend. “Hum! Well I am sick unto death of the whole business. I am going to give the queen the shake, and let her see I am tired of her airs.” Some conversation, interspersed with oaths, followed. Grace sat in the darkened back parlor listening with horror to the foul talk of the man the proud Southern girl had given the honored name of husband. “What a vile wretch!” she said, ‘‘to speak of his wife in such @ manner to a servant.” : While she sat confused and horror stricken, another carriage stopped before the door, and a moment later Lillian swept into the room. Her maid had admitted her, and then retired up- stairs. Lillian wore adress of white satin with amber stripes, a band of diamond encircled her throat, and another row of large flashing gems her queenly head, Her trained dress lay far behind her upon the carpet, and as she stood before Vivian she looked every inch a queen, as he in his shameful mockery had termed her. “So, madam, you have come home? you enjoyed yourself or not?” Lillian’s black eyes flashed upon him such a look of contempt, that Grace from her hiding-place felt certain of one thing. She no longer loved the man who had won her hand and fortune. “It does not matter to you whether I did or not,” she said, with quiet dignity. ‘No, [don’t care much, that is a solid fact. I waited for you on one account, and no other. I wish you to sign a paper for me before you retire to your rosy slumbers,”’ “Tn order that you may squander some more of my money ?”’ May I inquire whether Vol. 1. No, 81. ‘Exactly. I wish to dispose of some rice fields on the Saltillo River.” ‘*You shall dispose of no more of my property,” Lillian said, calmly, and gathering up her light lace wraps she swept out of the room, followed by a curse from the villain to whose care she had intrusted her life’s happiness, Grace hastened after her friend, and reached the door of the room just as Lillian was about to close it. “Ah, good-evening, Gracie. Why did you sit up for me, little pale cheeks?” She spoke playfully, and seemed as calm and composed as usual. ‘‘T wished to have some talk with you. to-night?” ‘‘Certainly. Fanchon, you may go. Now, I shall be glad to know what this important communication may be.” As Grace drew the jeweled pins from her friend’s long silky hair, with fingers which trembled slightly, she ssid: “JT am going home, Lilly, and I want you to come out and make me o long visit. You usedto like Aunt Ruth and Unele Abner, and they are both fond of you. We can fancy we are schoolgirls once more, Do you remember all the fun we used to have?” *Lillian was silent for a few moments. **Why do you ask me to leave my home, Grace?” she quietly inquired. ‘‘Leave it on a visit, for the same reason I came here—because I want to have you with me.” ‘No, you think Iam unhappy; and you areright. Oh, Grace! do you not know that death would be far sweeter to me than the life I lead?” Tears flowed swiftly over Grace’s pale cheeks, but Lillian’s eyes were dry. “My dear,” sobbed the loving girl, ‘‘you need not stay to en- dure such treatment. Come home with me, and be your own happy self once more.” Lillian’s face, reflected in the mirror, was calm and still, as though the conversation wus of the most ordinary kind. ‘* And you will come? Let us go to-morrow.” After a few moments’ reflection, Lillian rose, and, taking Grace in her arms, said, calmly: **Grace, I am sorry to distress you. I was foolish when I brought you to this house. You must leave me to my fate.” “Why, Lillian! What can you mean?” “Just whut I say, dearest Grace. Iam sorry I can give yon no explanation of my conduct, but so itis. All my friends, I suppose, will desert me in time, for they cannot understand my conduct. I am content.” “But, Lillian, you have given me no answer. Will you come home with me and rest? Then I nm sure you will see things in another light. Now you are bewildered by your troubles.” “Tt is impossible, Grace. I must stay here till the end.” “And you will not confide in me?” ‘“T cannot. Forgive me, Grace. I know this mysterious talk is not satisfactory. Now, dear, leave me. I am very tired.” Two days later Grace returned to her home, leaving Lilliun, as she said, ‘‘to her fate.” Mr. Tatnall accompanied Miss Hunter to the train. “T know you tried your utmost,” he said, pressing her hand gratefully. ‘«T did, indeed I did. I tried again to-day, but she grew an- gry with me for persisting. It is useless.” Tears were streaming over Grace's cheeks, ‘*T know, I know,” said Mr, Tatnall, hurriedly. ‘‘Say no more. I suppose we must, as she says herself, ‘leave her to her fate,’ May I be your maid CHAPTER VIL STRANGE ENTRIES IN THE DIARY. Early next day Sidney Van Stretten shut himself up in his library, with the firm intention of examining at least a portion of his brother-in-law's diary. The first entry was dated fifteen years buck, and had been written in Cheltenham, England. It commenced abruptly: ‘Have experimented to-day more successfully than ever be- fore. Subject, a pensioner, Jacob Petrie. Await results.” Ten days later this entry appeared: ‘Jacob Petrie died last night. Some important ingredient still lacking.” These two entries were repeated at various dates for a period of twelve years. Then a change occurred. The next ran thus: ‘ After injecting one ounce of the new preparation, found marked improvement. Think this is the true diseovery. Shall try it on G.” Then followed, in rapid succession, a number of notes: comicbooks.com lll