Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-12-02

my friends that our drama was now ap-
preaching its conclusion. related all
that passed: they embraced me with de-
light and bestowed such praises, that with
out good share of vanity, | might have
thought they were ridiculing me. Their
conduct, however, convinced me they
were sincere. Their desire for revenge
upon the naughty girl, seemed to become
more eager and extravagant as il was
about to be grati6ed. In order TO confirm
the delusion of both father and daughter,
they Immediately sent, in my name, to my
mistress, beautiful bouquet, accompa.
MED by a watch, bracelets, jewelry and
lace of the finest quality. Towards the
end OF the week the marriage contract
was drawn up, to which took care to
sign my true name, precaution which
was in the end Of the greatest service to
me.
had deceived Aurora, shamefully de.
ccived her, it is true; but Heaven is my
witness, it was not without the deepest re-
morse When at her side, could think
only Of hei. When with my gay friends,
their good humor, their wit, and agreea-
BILE manners, and the state Of dependence
in which they held me, the instructions
and favors they had so freely bestowed
upon me; the many kind services had re.
ceived from them; oil combined 10 take
from me the power of reflection. could
scarcely realize the present, or look for
ward TO the future. But in the solitude
ofmy own chamber, passion and sophs-
Try gave way to despair and remorse !;
and looked with dismay upon the fright
ful prospects before me /! When pic
tured to myself my beautiful Aurora, un.
deceived and conducted to my wretched
abode, the only one possessed when
thought of those fair and delicate hands
condemned to perform the most mental
offices, and prepare the scanty meals for
our daily support; when ! felt that so
much grace and beauty, fit to adorn a
palace, was doomed henceforth to be
buried in my fathers miserable hut, ]
started with horror from the contempla.
ton OF the scene; a death. like coldness
paralyZed my senses. | was ready to
throw myself at her feet, confess my
crime, and declare myself ready to bear
the shame and degradation so truly de.
served. But, alas self-love, and the
madness Of my passion, withheld me.
intoxicated by the feelings of the present,
Imagination cast ray Of hope over the
obscurty of the future. "The unhappi-
ness Of Aurora" | said to myself, "will
only be momentary," Love will soften
all the bitterness of her misfortunes and
when the thirst for revenge which now
blinds her enemies, shall have passed a
way, she shall again be happy IL shall
have some money remaining, and by my
own industry, can procure her comfort
and easel should indeed be contempti-
BILE, if were not willing to devote all en-.
ergy Of my character, and every hour Of
my life, TO shed ease aud conteniment on
the pathway of her existence. When
sh. first discovers the truth, her resent
mcnt will doubtless be terrible indeed
but the evil being irreparable, reason
will in time reconcile her to it love will
compensate her for the loss of fortune;
and we shall at last be happy"
Such were the reflections which occu-
pied my mind, during the few days pre-
ceding our marriage. When at the holy
altar, Aurora pronounced the vow to live
and die with me, cold shudder shook
my whole frame. Never before had the
odious part was acting appeared in so
appalling light. turned as pale as
death, and should have fallen upon the
floor, had not tears come to my relief.
This last act of expiring virtue was mis-
taken by the surrounding crowd for an ex-
cess Of sensbiliiy. Aurora was herself
deceived and felt, by the expression Of
her tenderness, that this proud and haugh-
ty beauty shrank not from evincing to-
wards me all the feelings Of q devoted
and afiectionate wife.
The engravers, willing to reward the
address and good fuith with which had
executed their project, permitted me to
continue the deception for some days;
during which tire gave myself up to the
happiness Of the moment, and cndeavored
TO Danish from my mind the fatal period
when the delus;on must be dissolved.
But, alas! could not ward it off for
ever.-They al length became impatient;
and after many iruitless entreaties TO spare
my Aurora, her implacable enemies in
sisted upon the completion of their tri-
umph, and baoe me prepare to conduct her
TO my miserable home. When | pro-
prosed to my wife a journey, of which |
knew the cruel termination, could not
suppress deep sigh, which she heard
with surprise for, 10 her lively imagna-
ton, the prospect Of travelling with me,
in a handsome equipage, with attendants,
was qualification both of her affection
and pride, to which she could only look
forward with delight; and she flew with
to prepare for our departure,
the near approach Of which caused me in
grief. Again and again | i'm
plored the pity of my friends; but they
were inexorable, and only replied by
placing the bond of our agreement before
my eyes. ! found my doom was inevita-
BILE, and ceased to struggle against fate.
Two of my employers acted as our cou-
riers, and Aurora's rejected suitor with
the aid OF a wig. and black patch over
one eye, which so completely disguised
him that no one could have recognised
him, insisted upon being our coachman.
Three others, dressed in gay liveries
mounted as footmen behind the carriage,
- l.