The Slave Sculptor — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

22 THE SLAVE SCULPTOR. ferent from me. His disposition, sentiments, and, in fact, every © feeling, are directly opposed to mine. I could never consent to such © an alliance;’’ and Mazina began to weep. “You will!’ he exclaimed, quickly; flying into a fierce passion — » You will marry Toluca.' That is settled. I give you my word, © that you shall; and I mean what Isay. Away! Leave me, ere | ay ke a Mazina did not wait a second command. She left the saloon, im- mediately. There was a smile and a frown upon Meztli’s face, as she crawled cautiously away from the window. , Mazina ascended to the corridor, and walked onward, until she reached a secluded corner, screened by vines, which had clambered i Here she sat down, and for a while gave free expression to feelings, in a copious flood of tears. She was completely screened from vation, by the thick inter- mingling foliage, with which she was surrounded. As the calm suc- ceeds the storm, sodid Mazina’s grief settle down into a quiet reverie, broken only by an occasional sob, the subsiding throes of an over- grieved heart. The past came up before her like a panorama, whose pictures were drawn from life. pope Rg eh er ently compelled to perform menial serviee. , her mind expanded, and reached out for somethiog which it dil not a void in her heart, a feeling of doubt, of suspicion. In her dreams she fancied associations and scenes different from those around her, they were exciting, and made her heart bound with jey. From these dreams she awoke to the stern realities of her slave life. Years one The slave became a nobleman’s daughter by adoption. ith one step she had passed from poverty and toil to ease and dis- tinction. Still, she was not happy. The change did not suffice to remove that fecling of oppression and isolation which had ever exist- ed in her heart. It was a happiness to think of the playmate of her childhood, Maxtla. He wasaslave. Ob, how many hours of pure peace and joy had they enjoyed together! Their childish loves had given way to the more enduring affection of maturity, and this sen- timent had grown with their growth, until their hearts beat like chords in harmony. In her prosperity, she did not forget him. He was ing for his freedom, and she secretly aided him. With her assistance, he succeeded, became a free man, and renowned in his profession. Vow what a sorrow was it which threatened her hap- piness and the life of one she held so dear! She was startled from her reverie by the sound of footsteps ap- proaching along the corridor. Toluca stood before her. A smile hit up his features, and, dropping upon one knee, he canght her hand, and pressed it fervently to his lips. She quickly withdrew it end started suddenly back. Her cheeks became pale, her eyelids quiv- ered, and her heart sank within her. ** Dearest Mazina!’’ he exclaime], his attitude that of the most conniclbooks.conn