Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-11-30

her apparent desire to conceal them Isabel promi-
sed to read them aloud if he would return them.
Morton accordingly placed the scorched papers
upon the table, and Isabel, drawing one from the
parcel commenced reading. But anxious to disarm
Col. Morton OF any suspicious to which her anxl
ETY. to the papers mi ht have given rise, she
paused and drew a most ludcrous picture OF her
poetlcal lover. She depicted his awkwardness, his
exaggerated sentiment, his morbid sensibility and
while reading the poem, which happened to be his
lament for his mother, she mimicked his nervous
gestures and peculiar tone of voice. Shocked at
her cruel mockery of the dead, [ had not thought
OF Col. Morton, but when | looked towards him.
the expression of his countenance was almost de-
monical Putting his handkerchief to his lip,
which was bleeding protusely, for he had almost
bitten 1t through, he pleaded sudden illness, and
withdrew, but the papers disappeared with him.
On the night appointed for the wedding, a large
and brilliant party was assembled. The apartments
were decorated IN style of unparalleled magnifi-
cence, and every thing displayed the union of
wealth and taste. The clergyman who was to Off
clate on the occasion was already in waiting-he
bridesmaids were attired in their costly array-the
groomsman had joined in the ante-room, and no.
thing was wanting to complete the arrangements
but the presence of the bridegroom
The hour appointed for the marriage was seven
CLOCK, but minute after minute passed, and still
Col. Morton did not appear Eight O. clock came,
and then the groomsman sprang into a carriage
and set oil III search OF him. while the minds of all
present were filled with the most painful apprehen-
slons. Isabel was almost wild with terror Illness
er death she said would alone detan him, and she
safe with clasped hands and dilated eve listening 10
every football. AT length a carriage was heard
driving with full speed to the door, and the next
moment Colonel Morton entered the apartment
Overcome by her agltatlon Isabel sprang forward
and threw herself into his arms. Dsengaging
himself bnr ba lad bar l.,
stood IN speeches. wonder he walked to the door,
and locked 1T then returning to his trembling bride,
he looked down upon her with expression shall
never forget, as he exclaimed, ''Isabel Athestan,
myrevenge is completed You love me-even now
you would forgive the shame have put upon you,
and wed your laggard lover. Yes, my debt is paid,
and leave to life of lingering wretchedness her
who doomed to the grave of a suicide my beloved
sonl Listen to mel" continued he, as with wild
cry Isabel started from her seat-''woman listen to
me lie whom your cruelty murdered was my
son, the offspring of the pure affection that filled
my heart, the child of my love,-worshpped even
as was his mother In the midst of crime. From
the pollutlons OF my dark life [ rescued them.
Ims afforded them luxuries for which princes might
seek IN vain; they knew not why the husband and
father lett so oft his home OF peace and splendor-
My wife persisted beneath the bHghting touch of
disease, and | laid her in the grave sadly but I'M
complaining; but when my son was stricken down
III tIle MIDST OF MS young hopes, SWOre to be re-
venged on his murderers. Isabel, could have
plued you-had you shown womanly feeling or
plying tenderness towards his memory could
have plued you,-but no ! you Knocked him whom
you had slam! Now go-and tell yon brilliant as
semblage that isabe Athelsan, the proud, beauti-
tul, the hlgh-bon Isabel Athestan, plighted her
faith TO Antoine Leclere the buccaner!-and was
Spurned like reptile from his path -
AS he uttered these fearful words he strobe
away, and ere cries could summon assistance
he had made good his retreat. The whole house
was, OF course, scene of confusion. Isabel was
In strong Mysteries, and too much oyer
come by the shock we had received, to use much
discretion IN our details of the catastrophe. Be
tore the next morning the whole town rang with
the tale, and while Isabel lay between life and
death, the story of her unprncipled coquery and
Its fearful retribution was in the mouth of every
one.
Col. Morton, or rather Capt. Leclere, was never
again seen in New York, but his black FLAG was
long the terror of the West India reders, and ma
ny Ill tated ship vanished in flame from the wa
tiers over which his bloodstained bark careered
What became of Isabel you ask. She never
again appeared in society. Bowed down by shame
and sorrow, outraged in her pride as we'll as her
affections, she took refuge In a distant country
town, and IN strict retirement endeavored to con-
ceal her disgrace. But 1t not until time had
destroyed her matchless beauty, and raised up an
other generation, to whom the events of her youth
were but as legends of oden days, that she could
feel herself free from the brand which stamped her
fair brow with shame, or forgot the blight which
had fallen upon her young heart