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

| S A B E LIS BRIDAL.
BY MP s. EMMA C. EMBURY.

Preparations were Immediately commenced for
celebrating the nuptals in a style of unwonted
magnlhcence. Invitations to a large number of
friends were issued three weeks before the evening
appointed for the wedding and all that money
could procure of rich and rare for the occasion
was put IN requsltOn for the occasion. | was Sc
lected for one of the bridesmaids and Isabel pre-
sented us with our dresses, which were of white
brocade embroidered with silver roses. During
the short time which elapsed previous to the mar
rage, Isabel exhibited an almost childlike iov
which called forth the censure of those who CON
sldered such EMULATION unwOmany and ndeli-
cate. But the conduct of Colonel Morton was
perfectly inexpllcable. His moody and restless
manner was i'll suited to a bridegroom and once or
twice l caught his eye fixed upon Isabel with an
expression of such dark malignity as made me
shudder.
One evening we were gathered round cheering
fire, and Colonel Morton, at Isabels request, had
taken his guitar, when, he stopped over his in
srument IN the act OF turning it, his vest fell partly
open and a slender black chain, which he wore
about his neck, became entangled in the screws
Not percelvng it, he raised himself suddenly, and
by this movement threw from it's cOncealment
small miniature, which was attached to the chain.
lie at first seemed dscompOsed and was about to
replace the picture hastily but upon hearing Isabes
exclamation OF surprise, he turned and held it to-
wards her. With trepidation strangely in con-
trast with her former compOsure Isabel agery
grasped the picture. 1t was the face of a delicate
woman, with little beauty, but great sweetness of
expression, and as gazed on it, the features SEEM
ed not unfamiliar to me. With a merry lest |
looked up to demand the name of her whose mag
thus lay upon the bosom of bride groom, but as |
did so, caught glimpse of the same dark re-
vengetul expression in his countenance as his eye
fastened with scrpenthke fascination upon his bride.
IsabePs lip quivered as she returned the picture,
and family repeated my question.
I" 1t is the image of one whom have loved as
shall never love again." replied Morton passion
ately; ''ot one who is now an angel in heaven-of
my wife -
''Your wife !" exclaimed Isabel.
Eyes, my fair Isabel said he, while a sheer
passed his lip with the rapidty of lightning
chad you asked me of my past life, you would
have learned that when you were but a babe in the
cradle, was a husband and a father
Isabel started, but strove to smile as she replied,
Z" am older than you suppose, Walter you could
scarcely have been welded many years ago, or
else time has forgotten trace his characters upon
your brow"
Morton smiled gloomily as he said, " Shall tell
you of my past history, Isabel Methnks you
should learn something of him to whom you have
phghted your faith, though prudence should have
preceded your promise"
There was half concealed sarcasm in this re-
mark which cut Isabel to the soul, but she only
shuddered and was silent. Colonel Norton fixing
his eye on her agated countenance, resumed:
:" know what you read upon my brow Isabel
out II Is certainly lOTly-INe years since frSt be-
held the light of day. | born in a wigwam :;
my father was a Canadian trader, my mother an
Indian.
At these words both Isabel and myself gave an
involuntary start, which could not escape his no.
tee.
eyes, he continued, % the blood of the red
man the first possessor of the soil, runs in my
veins, and am proudcr of that title to ative no.
biy, than If like my gentle bride, | could trace
my descent from one of the great Norman robbers
My father sent me to Paris for my education but
soon wearied of books and sought to study men,
life of adventure such rarely falls to the lot of
individual in modern times has been mine. |
married when scarcely more than mere boy, and
my wife and son lived in luxury and splendor on
rich estate in of the West Indian Islands, while
| - no matter: this is not the time to speak of
my course of life. My wife and son are both gone
TO better world | am now a lone and solitary
man, but there is debt due me which you, my
gentle bride, must pay" His eyes glared fercey
upon her as he spoke, but when Isabel raised her
fearful eyes his face, he banshcd all trace of his
emotion as by single effort, and with the sweet
looks and honied words of love- like blandish-
ments, sought to soothe her troubled feelings
Now tell me, Isabel said he, after pause,
care you still willing to wed the stranger, with
the faint of Indian blood in his veins. and, for
aught you know, the stamp of Cain upon his browl"
"Walter Morton, replied Isabel solemnly, as
she stopped her lips to his broad forehead, eff the
brand of Cain were written upon that brow in cha
racters of blood, would not believe your crimes
had stamped ii there"
For a moment Morton seemed touched and soft
ened. "Come, my Isabel" said he, "we are
growing too serious; let us seek a gayer theme
Tell me of your early days did you never meet
with one whom You once loved even as You now
owe Walter Morton! -
"Never."
'If this little cabinet of yours could be unsealed,
Isabel, would 1t not tell some tales of lovers
vows?" asked Morton as he laid his hand on her
writing desk.
q Look for yourself, Walter" said Isabella smi-
ling, as she touched a spring and opened the desk.
Glad that the conversation had taken a gayer
turn placed the cabinet the table, and insist
ed that Isabel should examine and burn her love
tokens in the presence of her lover. With a gay
laugh she consented, and tossed over many
letter which contained the genuine outpourings
of affection, Isabel sketched many an amusing pic
turc OF the writer's. We had already given many
to the flames when Col. Morton took up bundle
OF papers tied together and labeled "Poetry. -
They were the verses of the unfortunate Ernest
Leclere, and fearing least the painful story should
be revived, hurried them into Isabes lap, but not
before Morton had seen the handwriting AS
Isabel flung them into the blazing pile, Morton
darted forward and snatched them from the flames.
Seriously alarmed and veXed, Isabel strove to OBJ
tam them, but he was as resolute in retaining pos
session, until, dreading to excite his curiosity by