The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-06-19

lay the victim Of the plague, in the em.
brace Of madness.
"Ah |" said Courtenay, looking At me,
without showing any surprise, "you are
come to sec us then--that's kind In you.
l was Just laughing at the excellent trick
we played he came for W, but said
we were not at home, and he went away,
aud 90 we cheated tho plague" and
Courtenay again broke into peal Of
dreadful laughter. II was a horrible
scene. Caroline--ah how changed
lay, an inssnsible corpse, upon the bed
whore she had died. Courtsray's own
arm supported her head he had raised
himself upon his other elbow to look at
mo when ! entered, and now lay In con-
vuIsions Of laughter. Yet, who could
have desired TO see that maniac Joy ex-
changed for the wailings Of misery,-.he
horrors Of reality,--hopelessness, and
despair1 liuwardly prayed Tint reason
might never return.
Suddenly he checked his laughter, and
turning towards me with grave ooun-
tenance, II will tell you, said he, "a
curious dream had; do you know ]
dreamed that Caroline was dead, and
that I, yes, / myself was sentenced by
court-martial to be shot-for what crime
think you 7"
~ cannot tell" said I.
"Why then, ! will tell you" said he
and he sprung up, and stood on the mid
die Of the foor /" Il ives for killing the
PLAGUE. ] wrestled with him, and then
! trampled upon him, and threw him out
to the dogs but they skunk away, and
so ! left him lying. Come" said he,
and see where he lies," taking me by
the hand, and leading me to the bedside.
There"
He bent over, and for moment look
ed with steadfast gaze upon the dead.
He then pressed his hand to his fore
head, and with terrific cry, in which
the fit Of insanity instantly passed away
"a cry that will ring for ever in my ears
he fell perfectly senseless upon the
couch.
When he returned to consciousness
and misery, he extended his hand to me,
and said, " Seymour, was in time to
receive her last sigh, and her blessing !;
but since then remember nothing. Is
i. near gun fire -
"'Tis only evening"" replied, "the
sun has but newly set."
"I trust" said he, {" that may live to
redeem my pledge"
! gently led my friend from the bed
chamber to the garden, and seated him
in the summer-house. IT was such an
evening as that upon which, three short
days ago, we had parted from Caroline.
At first, Courtenay was completely over
powered by the "reminiscences which it
awakened, but he gradually recovered
his wonted composure,
81 fear" said he, ''honor is less dear
to me than it ought to be, and that If she
had lived it would have been hard
struggle to tear myself from her, to meet
death there is the coast of Spain, and
there are the mountains Of Barbary-I
would not have answered for my honor,
Seymour"
"You have been mercifully spared
that struggle, at least" said !.
""Tis better as it is better for me,
perhaps even for her."
Just at this moment, q mans head
appeared above the mole it was the
face of the Spanish sailor, who had been
examined upon the trial. He climbed
up, and walked towards us. could not
guess his errand, but he soon made it
known.
81 have here" said he addressing
Courtenay, ga good boat Ill UNDER
take to land you either at Tangiers, or
Tarifa, before day-break, or, if the wind
continues fair, Ill put you aboard an A
merican in the bay of Cadiz, in twenty
four hours"
Friend" said Courtenay, / thank
you for your offer. but if you will look
a little closer in my face, / think you
will soon see that / have not the least
temptation to accept it."
The man advanced few steps, look
ed very steadfastly on Courtenay's face,
shuddered, and then returned to his
boat.
My professional duties now called me
TO town l returned to the house, brought
writing materials, and laying them be-
fore Courtenay, told him, if he wished
to address a few lines to England, J.
would be the bearer of his memorials
He was able to write (; the disease ad-
vanced slowly, and l believe that Cour-
tenay might have been cured /; but this
thought was painful neither INDUCED
it myself, nor breathed it to him. ] told