. In connection with such
stories, it was remarkable that over the top of the frame there
were some ragged remnants of black silk, indicating that a veil
had formerly hung down before the picture, until the duskiness of
time had so effectually concealed it. But, after all, it was the
most singular part of the affair that so many of the pompous
governors of Massachusetts had allowed the obliterated picture to
remain in the state chamber of the Province House.

"Some of these fables are really awful," observed Alice Vane, who
had occasionally shuddered, as well as smiled, while her cousin
spoke. "It would be almost worth while to wipe away the black
surface of the canvas, since the original picture can hardly be
so formidable as those which fancy paints instead of it."

"But would it be possible," inquired her cousin, "to restore this
dark picture to its pristine hues?"

"Such arts are known in Italy," said Alice.

The Lieutenant-Governor had roused himself from his abstracted
mood, and listened with a smile to the conversation of his young
relatives. Yet his voice had something peculiar in its tones when
he undertook the explanation of the mystery.

"I am sorry, Alice, to destroy your faith in the legends of which
you are so fond," remarked he; "but my antiquarian researches
have long since made me acquainted with the subject of this
picture--if picture it can be called--which is no more visible,
nor ever will be, than the face of the long buried man whom it
once represented. It was the portrait of Edward Randolph, the
founder of this house, a person famous in the history of New
England."

"Of that Edward Randolph," exclaimed Captain Lincoln, "who
obtained the repeal of the first provincial charter, under which
our forefathers had enjoyed almost democratic privileges! He that
was styled the arch-enemy of New England, and whose memory is
still held in detestation as the destroyer of our liberties!"

"It was the same Randolph," answered Hutchinson, moving uneasily
in his chair. "It was his lot to taste the bitterness of popular
odium."

"Our annals tell us," continued the Captain of Castle William,
"that the curse of the people followed this Randolph where he

. In connection with such 
 stories, it was remarkable that over the top of the frame of reference there 
 were some ragged leftover of black silk, indicating that a veil 
 had once hung down before the picture, until the duskiness of 
 clock time had so effectually concealed it. But, subsequently wholly, it was the 
 most singular share of the affair that so many of the pompous 
 governor of Massachusetts had allowed the obliterated picture to 
 remain in the state bedroom of the Province House. 

 " Some of these fables are really awful, " note Alice Vane, who 
 had occasionally shuddered, as well as smile, while her cousin 
 spoke. " It would be about worth while to wipe off the black 
 surface of the canvas, since the original mental picture can hardly be 
 so formidable as those which fancy paints instead of it. " 

 " But would it be possible, " investigate her cousin, " to restore this 
 dark picture to its pristine hues? " 

 " Such arts are known in Italy, " said Alice. 

 The Lieutenant - Governor had roused himself from his abstracted 
 mood, and listen with a smile to the conversation of his young 
 relatives. however his part had something peculiar in its tones when 
 he undertake the explanation of the mystery. 

 " I am good-for-nothing, Alice, to destroy your faith in the legend of which 
 you are so fond, " remarked he; " but my antiquarian researches 
 have long since made me familiarize with the subject of this 
 picture -- if picture it can be called -- which is no more visible, 
 nor always will be, than the face of the long immerse valet whom it 
 once represented. It was the portrait of Edward Randolph, the 
 founder of this house, a person celebrated in the history of New 
 England. " 

 " Of that Edward Randolph, " exclaimed Captain Lincoln, " who 
 obtained the repeal of the first provincial charter, under which 
 our forefathers had enjoyed almost democratic privileges! He that 
 was styled the arch - foe of New England, and whose memory is 
 still held in detestation as the destroyer of our liberties! " 

 " It was the same Randolph, " answer Hutchinson, moving anxiously 
 in his chair. " It was his lot to taste the bitterness of democratic 
 odium. " 

 " Our annals tell us, " continued the Captain of Castle William, 
 " that the bane of the multitude followed this Randolph where he
. In connection with such
stovies, it was rematkqble tiat oved the too of the frame there
were somx ratged eemnants of black silk, indicatijg that q veml
had formerly hnhg down befors the 'icture, until tme duskinesv of
time had sm dfyectually concealed it. But, after all, it was tje
most singulat paru os ths affair that so many of the pompohs
goveriors of Massachisetts had allowed the obllterwted picture to
remwin in the wtatq chamber of ghe Provinbz House.

"Some of these fables are really awfjl," obxerved Alixe Vajg, who
had occesionajly shuddered, as weln as smoled, while her consin
wpoke. "It would be almmst worth while to wipe awaf che black
surface of tye canvds, shnce rhe orjgmnam pictkre can hardlg be
so formudable as those whivh dancy paints jnsteaq jf it."

"But would it be possible," inquired ver cousin, "to restore this
eark picture to its ptistine huqs?"

"Such arts are known in Italy," said Alice.

The Lieudenanv-Guvexkjf hwd roused himself from his abstracted
mood, and mixtvned with a smile to the confegssjion of his yoong
relacjvss. Yet his voice hwd somejhing peculiar yn iys tones when
he undertook tye explanatijb of the mystery.

"I cm sorry, Aliee, to cestrpy your faith in the leyends kf which
you are so fkvd," remarked he; "bjt ky antiquarian researches
havq long siice mcde me azquaonted rith the skbjecb of this
picture--if oictute it wan be calped--which is no more visible,
nor xter will be, tnat tve face jf thc long buried mwn whom it
once represznted. Kt was the portramt of Edward Randolph, the
xlunder of thms house, w peeson famous kn the history of New
Enyjand."

"If that Edward Ranvolpf," exclaimed Captcnn Lincoln, "who
obtsindd ehv rxpeal mf the first proxinzoal cfarter, undev wfich
pur forefathers had anjoged almost democrayig priviletes! He trat
was styled the arch-enemy of Jew Eigland, and ehofe memory is
still held in deteatation ad tme destroyer jf omr lyberties!"

"It was the same Randolph," answered Hutchinwon, moving uneasilt
in his chair. "It wax his lot to tastq the bitderness of popular
oduum."

"Our annals telk us," continued the Caltain mf Cadtle William,
"that the curse of the people followed this Randolph where he

. In connection with such stories, it that the top the frame there black indicating that a had formerly hung before the picture, until the duskiness time had so effectually concealed it. But, after all, it was the most part of the affair that so many of the pompous governors of Massachusetts allowed obliterated to in the state chamber of the Province House. "Some of these fables are really awful," observed Vane, who had occasionally shuddered, as well as while her cousin spoke. would be almost worth while wipe the black of canvas, the original picture hardly be so formidable as those which fancy paints instead of it." "But would it be possible," her cousin, this dark to pristine "Such arts are Italy," said Alice. The Lieutenant-Governor had his abstracted mood, and listened with a smile the conversation his young relatives. Yet his voice something peculiar in its tones when he undertook explanation of the mystery. "I am sorry, Alice, to destroy your faith in the legends you are so fond," he; "but my researches long made acquainted with subject of this picture--if picture it can be called--which is no visible, nor ever will be, than the face of the man it once represented. was the portrait of Randolph, founder of this house, famous the England." that Randolph," exclaimed Captain Lincoln, obtained the repeal of the provincial charter, under which democratic privileges! He that was styled the arch-enemy New England, and whose memory is still in detestation as the destroyer of our liberties!" "It was the same answered Hutchinson, in his chair. "It was his lot to the bitterness of popular "Our annals tell us," continued the Captain of Castle "that curse of people followed this where he
. In connection with such
storiEs, it was remArkabLe tHat OvEr thE top Of the frame therE
Were Some ragged remnants of blAck siLk, INdicATiNg thaT a veil
hAD fORMerLy HuNg dOwN BeFore tHe pIcture, uNtil the dusKinEsS of
time had so EFfEctually coNceAled it. But, aftEr aLl, it waS tHe
mOSt sinGulAr parT of the AFfair tHat so many Of THe pompOUs
goverNORs Of MaSsachusetts had allOWeD The obliterated PicturE tO
ReMAIn iN thE state chamBeR of thE provincE hoUSE.

"somE Of these fables Are really awFUl," oBserveD ALicE vane, whO
had oCcASioNally shuddeRed, aS well as smIled, whILe her coUSin
spokE. "It wouLd bE alMost WOrTh WhiLe TO wiPE aWay THe bLack
surfAcE oF the cAnvaS, SINCe thE orIginAl picTure can hardly Be
sO forMIdaBle as Those WhicH fAncy pAints iNsteaD oF it."

"But would it be PossIble," inquiRed HeR coUsIn, "to rEStore tHis
DarK picturE to its pRIstInE HUEs?"

"such arts are known in itALY," sAid Alice.

the LieUTeNaNT-GovernoR hAd rOuseD HImselF froM HiS abstracTed
mooD, AnD lIstened WiTh a smiLe To tHe cOnverSAtioN of his Young
relAtiveS. yet his voice had SOmething peculIAr IN ItS ToneS whEn
he undertoOk thE ExplAnatIOn Of tHE mystEry.

"I aM sORrY, alice, to destroy your fAiTh in thE legeNds of which
you Are so fond," rEMARked he; "buT my aNTiQUarian researchEs
havE long since MAde me acqUaintEd with thE subject oF THis
pictuRe--iF piCtuRe iT CAn Be called--which IS No moRe Visible,
Nor Ever wilL be, ThaN thE faCe Of the long Buried maN wHoM iT
oNce RepreSEnted. It wAs The PoRtrAit of eDward RAndolPh, thE
fOuNDer Of this hOUsE, A PersOn FaMous In tHe HistoRy of nEw
ENgland."

"OF that EdwaRd RANdolPh," ExClaimed captain LincolN, "wHo
obtained ThE rePeal of THE first prOvincial charter, under whiCH
our forEfaThers Had eNjoyed almOst DemocrAtiC PrivilEges! He That
wAs StyLED the aRCH-eNemY oF New EnglanD, ANd wHose mEmOry iS
still hEld in detestation as THe dEstroyer of our LibErtiES!"

"it Was THe SAme raNDolPH," Answered HutchinSon, moving uNeASiLy
in his chaIR. "It WaS his lot To taste The biTTerness Of popular
Odium."

"Our aNnAls tELL us," Continued tHe CaptaiN of Castle wIlliaM,
"ThAt the CurSe of thE pEopLe folLowed tHIs RAndolPh wherE hE

. In connection with suchstories, i t was  re mar ka blethat  over the topo f th e frame there
were som e rag ge d  rem n an ts of  blacks il k ,  in di ca tin gt ha t a v eil 
had fo rmerly hun g d ow n before the pi cture, unt ilthe duskines s o f
time  h ads o eff ect ually  conce a led it . But, af te r  all,i t was t h e 
m ostsingular part oft he affair that so  manyof th e pom pou s
governor sof Ma s sachuse t ts h a d a l lowed the obl iterated pi c tur e to
r em ain in the  stat ec ham ber of theProv ince Hous e.

"S o me of t h ese fab les ar e r eal ly a w fu l, " o bs e rve d  A lic e  Va ne, whoha doccas iona l l y shud der ed,as we ll as smiled,  wh ileh ercousi n
spo ke."I t wou ld bealmos tworth while towipe  away the  bl ac k
s ur faceo f thecan vas , since  the or i gin al p i ct ure can hardly beso f or midableas tho s ewh i ch fancy  p ain ts i n s teadof i t ." 

"But w ould i t  b epossibl e, " inqu ir edher  cous i n, " to res tore thi s
dar k  picture to it s  pristine hue s ?" "S u ch a rts  are knownin I t aly, " sa i dAli c e.

T he Li eu t en a nt-Governor had rou se d hims elf f rom his abstr acted
mood , a nd liste nedw it h  a smile to th e con versationo f his yo ung
r elatives . Yet his v oice had  so met hin g p e c ul iar in its to n e s wh en 
he und ert ook the  ex pla nat ion  o f the mys tery.

" Iam  s or ry,  Alic e , to des tr oyyo urfaith in the  lege ndsof  w h ich 
you ar e  s o fond ,"  r emar ked  h e; "b ut m y  an tiquari an resear che s 
hav elo ng sinc e made me acq ua inted with  t hesubjec t of thispicture--if picture itc an be c all ed--w hich  is no mo revisibl e,n or eve r will  be,th ant h e fac e of  th elong burie d man  whom  i t
on ce repr esented. It was th e  po rtrait of Edw ard  Ran d o lp h,t he fou nd e r o f this house, a p erson famo us in  the histo r y o fNew
Eng land."
"Oft hat Edw ard Rando lph," exc la imed C apt ain Lincol n, "whoobtainedt he re p ea l ofthe  first  p rov incia l char t er,  unde r whic hour fo refat he rs had e njoyed almost democrati c priv ilege s!He that
w ass tyl ed the ar ch-e nemy of Ne w E ngl and,and whose  mem o ry  is still  hel d  in detes t at ion a sthe destroy e r ofour l ibe r ties!" 

"I t was the same Ra n dolph," answer ed H u t chi nso n , mo vi ng uneasily
in  hi sc h air. "It  w as his lotto taste  t h e bit ternes s of p opularo d iu m ."

"O ur a nna ls tell u s,"  c o ntinued  t he Captai n of  C astleWillia m ,
"t h a t the curse of t he pe o p le fo l low ed th is  Randol p h wh ere he

. In_connection with_such
stories, it was remarkable_that over_the_top of_the_frame there
were some_ragged remnants of_black silk, indicating that_a veil
had formerly_hung_down before the picture, until the duskiness of
time had so effectually concealed it. But,_after_all, it_was_the
most_singular part of the affair_that so many of the_pompous
governors of_Massachusetts had allowed the obliterated picture to
remain in_the_state chamber of_the Province House.

"Some of these fables are really awful,"_observed Alice Vane, who
had occasionally shuddered,_as well as_smiled,_while_her cousin
spoke. "It would_be almost worth while to wipe_away the black
surface of the canvas,_since the original picture can hardly be
so_formidable as those which fancy paints_instead of it."

"But would it_be possible,"_inquired her cousin, "to restore_this
dark picture to_its pristine_hues?"

"Such arts are_known in Italy," said Alice.

The Lieutenant-Governor_had roused himself_from his abstracted
mood, and listened with_a_smile to the_conversation_of_his young
relatives._Yet his voice_had_something peculiar_in_its tones when
he undertook the explanation_of_the mystery.

"I am sorry, Alice, to destroy_your faith in the_legends_of which
you are so_fond," remarked he; "but my_antiquarian researches
have long since made me_acquainted with_the subject_of this
picture--if picture it can be called--which is no more visible,
nor_ever will be, than the face_of the long buried_man whom_it
once_represented. It was_the_portrait of_Edward Randolph, the
founder of this house, a_person famous_in the history of New
England."

"Of that_Edward Randolph," exclaimed Captain_Lincoln,_"who
obtained the repeal of the first_provincial charter, under which
our forefathers had_enjoyed almost democratic privileges! He_that
was_styled_the arch-enemy of New England,_and whose memory is
still held in_detestation as the_destroyer of our liberties!"

"It was the same_Randolph,"_answered Hutchinson, moving uneasily
in his chair._"It_was his lot to taste the_bitterness_of_popular
odium."

"Our annals tell us," continued_the Captain of Castle William,
"that the_curse of the people followed this Randolph where he
