The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-06-21

les OF MIR. Wallingford and Lord Leslie
were found llfeless beneath the tree, which
was shivered by the lightning from the top
to the root, while the horse with broken
bride and reeking with sweat, stood trcn,-
bling at little distance.
The storm was still raging, though with
abatcd fury, when hurried to Elmw wood
bat what scene awaited me The first
object that met my gaze, was the lifeless
form of the young bridegroom, maneled i'm
the most shocking manner. JUDGED from
an examination ,of, the body. that bi. horse,
partially injured by the lightning, ind fallen
upon him, and that his death had been oc-
casioned by the kicks and struggles of the
terrified animal. But Mr.. Wallinglord had
passed through the ordeal of fre.-A deep
black furrow, as if made by the impression.
of hot iron rod, was visible from his left
temple down to the left ancle. To the dead
my services were useless, and TO the living
| could afford but little aid. Anna, COM
pletely overcome by the dreadful shock, lay
Ia tain.ing fit; while Isabel was in that
awful state of living dealh, called catalepsy.
Anna was soon restored TO consciousness,
and with returning strength came her bab-
'tual trmness, but Isabel bafiled the skill.
OF every one. For three days. she lay thus
insensible-her eyes wide open, but seeing
nothing, her lwid lips parted, but unable to
utter sound. If we moved her limbs,
they retained the position in which we
placed them; if we raised her head, il re-
manned elevated, and as it were, gazing on
us; it was indeed an awful scene.
At length she slowly recovered from her
lethnrgy, and we felt that the utmost eau
ton was necessary to restore a mind which
had almost abandoned its earthly habita,ion,
bat triiling accident rendered our cares
useless. A little dog, gift from Lord te..
lie TO Isabel, made its way into the room,
and sprang upon the bed. 1t eagerly sought
the hand which had been accustomed to
caress it, and Isabel, feeling its touch, slow
ly opened her eyes, which she had now ac-
quired the power Of using, and looked ear
nestly nt the little creature. The moment
she appeared TO recognize it, long, loud
shrek burst from her lips, the whole horror
Of her situation seemed TO force itself upon
her recollection, aud before another hour,
she wns raving maniac
And how think you the desolate Anna
endured these Affections Lord Leslie was
borne away to lie in the tomb of his noble
ancestors; her fathers body, blightcd by
the lightning, was laid beside the mother,
who had entrusted his happiness in her
keeping, and Anna was left alone will, the
worse than dcad--ihe maniac sister. For
severnl years, Isnbel remained in this dread
fol state, even though she did not recog.
nize her. Anna's check grew pale and
thin, but she swerved not from her duties.
The lover of her early days came TO plead
again for her hand, and this was n fearful
trial, for it taught her how dearly he had
loved her, how muc, Of his happiness she
had sacrificed with her own. But, still her
way wns plain before her. know that l
relinguish happiness forever, but it must be
done. They parted; and il she wept when
she afterwards heard of his marriage with
another, her tears flowed in secret.
After remsining in q state of hopeless in
sanity for twe0ty-four years, Isabel sud-
denly recovered her senses, but, strange to.
say, ON oDc subjec. she was still erra,ic. A
sort of monomania took possession of her,
and she is still subject to its influence.
Thirty years have passed since the calam-
ity which, prosiratcd her reason, but the
lapse of time has been unheedcd by her,
md the period Of her insanity appears to
her but rs a single night. She believes
herself to be surrounded BY strangers, and
even Anna's face is no longer familiar.
She seems perfectly rational on ali other
subjects, bur persists in her own remcm-
brances Of her bereavement. She supposes
herself to be about twenty -four years of age
though she is in fact forty y-eigI,t, aud con-
'iders the change in her appearance, and
he silvery whi,euess of her once beautiful
hair as the effect ofgrieE Hour after hour
'he will sit before her mirror, braiding those
ong white locks, and signing, so young
and yet so utterly berevcd !"
Anna still wotches over her with aiicc-
thousl, the ln6rmi,ies of approach
ing age (sbe is now upwards OF 5O) are,
added to the sorrows of her lot and tho
Isabel cannot recognize her sister, in the
nged woman who sits by her day after day,
yet Anna has the consciousness Of duty tn
support her. and when did that ever fail to
strengthen the suffering spirit.
Three years after when visited Eng
and, my. first inquiry was about these Sis
ers of Elmond. 'They arc gone to their.
est" was his reply. A sudden illness Of
me week carried Of the haplcss Isabel.
Anna survived her and give her estates to
he children Of her early lover.