Graham's Magazine, Vol XXXIII, No. 6, December 1848. Various

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ – hist, Pedro!" and a tall, swarthy Creole, obeying the finger of Perozzi, glided stealthily behind a large tree, where stood the Spaniard, both screened from observation by the thick drapery of ferns and parasitic plants clinging around its trunk. Eyeing the man keenly, Perozzi said, in a low tone,

      "Hark-ye, Pedro! I have a job for you; here are thirty pistoles as an earnest, and when it is finished, you shall receive thirty more."

      "By St. Jago, signor! I am ready – what is it? This?" touching the handle of his knife.

      "Corambre, knave! No. Listen to me. Do you see yonder mansion, with the green verandas stretching itself out on the hill-side like an anaconda at play?"

      "The Scotchman's – Donaldson's?"

      "The same. Now look, and tell me what you see at the open jalousie on the right, that is, if you can see through the heavy screen of jessamines which droop over it."

      "Ho, ho! I have eyes at any time for a pretty girl, signor; she is an angel, that fair English girl!"

      "Very well – you know her, then. Now do you remember the thick pimento walk between this and the hospital?"

      "Si, signor."

      "Now, Pedro, hasten thither, and conceal yourself. This fair Signora will soon pass that way. Now mind me, knave, when she reaches the middle of the grove, do you rush suddenly upon her – seize her in your arms, and – "

      "Ho-ho! a pleasant job, signor!"

      "Peace, knave! Seize her, I tell you, and draw your knife, as if about to plunge it in her white bosom. Now, mark me, at that moment I rush upon you and rescue the lady – do you understand?"

      "Si, signor; but will your honor please to remember I am but flesh and blood – don't strike more than skin deep, signor."

      "Tush, knave! and remember – no violence; by the Holy Mother! if you so much as breathe upon a hair of her head, you taste my dagger!"

      "Ho-ho, signor! methinks to snatch a kiss from her sweet lips would be worth more than a thousand pistoles."

      "Villain, to your work!"

      "Ho-ho! a pleasant job, signor – a pleasant job!" And with a hideous leer, the lesser villain parted from the greater, and concealing himself within the deep shadows of the grove, awaited the coming of Mildred.

      It was not long ere, little suspecting the terrible scene which she was to encounter, Mildred set forth en route to the hospital, to visit an old faithful female slave. This was a favorite walk, and soothed by the quiet of the scene, she lingered long in its delightful depths. As her foot pressed the summit of a gentle slope, enameled with many-colored flowers, and over which frown the blood-tinged foliage of a stately mahogany-tree, pendent garlands of the passion-flower, and delicate white jasmine swung in the soft breeze, she paused for a moment, as if to prolong this happy reprieve from the presence of the Spaniard.

      Suddenly, the wretch, Pedro, sprung in her path, and while with one hand he seized the trembling girl, with the other he drew his stiletto, and muttering a horrible oath, raised it as if about to strike at her innocent bosom. Mildred did not scream, she did not faint, but he eyes closed, and all power of speech and motion seemed paralized. But the threatened blow was arrested; a violent struggle ensued, during which she was clasped still more tightly to the breast of the ruffian, who seemed to be defending himself from some superior arm. Oaths and curses mingled with the clash of weapons; she was dragged, as it were, several paces through the grove, and then, after another struggle, she felt the arm of the assassin relax its grasp – she was caught to the breast of her deliverer, and then placed gently on the soft turf.

      "Mildred – my angel – my life – O, speak to me!"

      That voice! Mildred knew its hateful tones; and a cold shudder crept through her frame, as if some venomous reptile had touched her, as she felt the villains lips press her brow. Recoiling, she slowly opened her eyes.

      "Thank God!" exclaimed Perozzi, "you are restored to me. Holy Virgin! can it be – so near death, and yet living and unhurt, I now hold you in my arms! O, blessed moment, when love guided me hither!"

      "I owe you my life, signor," said Mildred, freeing herself from his embrace, "but it is a thankless boon; methinks death would have been sweeter! Leave me – I am better – I am well – leave me, signor!"

      "Sweet angel! leave thee – leave thee thus exposed to new dangers! No – lean on me, my beloved – let me guide your trembling steps!" and he passed his arm around her.

      "Away!" cried Mildred, springing from him. "Away! touch me not! Monster – fiend! I hate you! Begone from my sight forever, or, in mercy, kill me!"

      Perozzi became livid with rage, and his eye-balls gleamed like fire in the deepening shadows, as they rested on Mildred, never more beautiful than as she now stood before him in all the majesty of outraged purity. But masking the hell in his heart with a well-feigned air of desperation, he fell on his knees before her.

      "Would that the assassin's knife had reached my heart!" he exclaimed. "Better for me to die than endure your scorn. Yes, die! By heavens! why not end this miserable existence – here – yes, here, at your feet, cruel Mildred! It shall be done!" and drawing a pistol from his breast, he placed the muzzle to his temple.

      "Hold – hold – for God's sake, miserable man, hold!" shrieked Mildred, springing forward.

      It was too late – the pistol exploded.

      "Ha – ha – ha!" shouted Perozzi, wiping his blackened brows, "that was well done!" And raising the now senseless girl in his arms he bore her to the house.

      When, after a long and death-like swoon, Mildred opened her eyes they rested upon the anxious countenances of her mother and Mr. Donaldson bending over her couch.

      "Where am I?" she cried, starting up wildly – "how came I here – what has happened? Ah, now I remember – or was it some dreadful dream?" She pressed her hand to her forehead – "no, no, it was no dream – tell me," she added, with a convulsive shudder, closing her eyes as if to shut out some horrible vision, "is he dead – is Perozzi dead?"

      "Compose yourself, my dear Mildred," replied Mrs. Donaldson, "he lives – fortunately the ball but slightly grazed his temple – yet, my child, such is his despair – to such a state of frenzy has your cruelty brought him, that we dare not trust him alone even for a moment, lest he once more attempt to end his misery by self-destruction."

      A heart-rending groan was the poor girl's only answer.

      "Mildred, my daughter," said Mr. Donaldson, "I had decided to say no more to you upon a subject so painful, but duty to my friend compels me to make one more appeal to your compassion. Can I stand calmly by and witness the wreck which despair has wrought in that beloved friend – can I behold him resolutely rushing upon death to end his misery and not speak! O, Mildred," falling on his knees, "save him – for you can – Mildred, behold me thus imploring your pity for Perozzi!"

      Mildred burst into tears, and placed her hand within that of Mr. Donaldson.

      "You will relent, my sweet child, will you not?" said her mother, throwing her arms around her – "yes, you will, and make us all happy – see," she added, drawing a letter from her bosom, "here is a letter from my beloved father – let his words plead with ours – shall I read?" Mildred assented, and breaking the seal Mrs. Donaldson continued:

СКАЧАТЬ