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THE FATE OF KLAAS.
her one of Nature's fairest flowers. Reclining upon a. fauteuil, she drew from a lute sounds so soft and sweet that every sense was held in thraldom ; and anon, when she joined her liquid voice, and sang of other days, few were there who would wish to break the spell. But the spell was ordained to be broken—broken in a sudden manner. The door opened hastily, and a negro, darting into the middle of the room, exclaimed, in a voice of terror—" Massa, me must speak with you!"—" What's the matter?" returned our elder acquaintance, rising up, " what's the matter, Cuffee? You frightened us by your sudden entrance, and sent my Marien's roses back to her heart."—" Beg your pardon, massa, and yours, young missis, but me have something to tell you make your ears ring again : but, massa, where's Julio ?— please let him come in." And without waiting for an answer, he left the room in search of the boy. " Marien, dearest," said her father, take your cousin's arm, and retire for a little, until I have heard what the mad fellow has to say : his foolish nonsense has frightened you more than I like to see." And fondly pressing his daughter's hand, he led her to the door. In a few minutes Cuffee returned with the boy Julio, who wore the same downcast look as he did on the evening of the storm ; and, holding the boy by the hand, gave his master the following narration. Julio, who, from being deaf and dumb, appeared to possess the other senses in a higher degree, had one evening observed a strange negro loitering about his master's estate, and hiding behind the bushes when any one passed. Thinking this peculiar, the dumb boy determined to watch his proceedings, and if he discovered anything wrong, to endeavour to acquaint his master with it. After spending more than an hour in this employment, the stranger departed, and Julio, unable to comprehend his motives, and fearful of not being understood, kept his discovery to himself. Some weeks had elapsed, and he had almost forgotten the circumstance, when, on the