The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-10-01
Number 23.

hand!'
Edward Fletcher then himself for the
first time perceived red spots on The white
ness of one of his gloves, and more of the
same crimson horror on lis bridal vest
and he then knew that Alice had burst a
bood-vesse at the moment when she fell
forward into his arms. We need not lin.
ger longer with the wreiched author of so
much ~re!chedness. 1t suflices 10 say,
mat when he that night crossed the thres.
Hold ot his nuplial chamber, he had rather
II mad been the portal Of hell.
The Baronet found Alice lying inanimate
on the ground, supported by her maid who.
together with the clergyman and one or
two oihe,s who remained by her, was en-.
deavoilng to revive her. The whieness
of her dress wss here and there heckered
with light crimson stain, while the blood
continued TO ooze slowly from her mouth
and noslrils. hasten to conIude so mean-
choly recollection. With great care ard
difficulty they were able TO reach the II all
that night with their burIhen of blighted
and heartbroken loveliness borne on lit
ter. The sgonies Of father and brother I
need not attempt to depict
On the following morning, though feeble
and Ia nj, she was considerably restored;
and while conscious that she had but few
hours yet to live, was in full possession Of
lacullion.
Supported by The pillows of her bed she
wrote with trembling hand the following
lines, which she sealed. and begged that
they might be Immediately despsched:--
IA. ,,to H. 4 r..
1t 1t is for your happiness, it is willingly gi.
ven. l would see you, Edward. once more
before 60. But if you would receive
my farewell blessing yet from my own lips.
hasten. or it will be in vain. II notiake it
by this, for yourself and your fair bride,
from ALICE.
Informing her father and brother of what
she had done,sh claiming for them all per.
sonal forbearance and respectful treatment
fNr Edward when he sb-n.iL -so'ne. uo
crushed in spirit, and with
the ortures of the damned at his heart
Yel had he not repeated ,he full fruilion of
his vengeance. even beyond the measure
of his hope or his aim!
His interview with her was long ard pri-.
vate. She spoke 10 him as an angel might
speak to the human wrechedness and guilt
which its own pure essence fled FROM back
10 heaven, at the same time thai il wept over
il. would comfort and purify IT, She at
las, touched silver bell that lay by her
IN the white covere,, and her father and
George entered the room, and stood on the
opposite side of the bed from that q. which
the miserable man was kneeling, his face
ioI nd ba1a
heaving with fearful sobSings to issue from
the breast of great strong man.
i bring you together, before co. the
dying girl thus spoke, in voice low and
though sweet as some dim spir-
lusl music borne family 10 the ear from the
world on whose threshold she was standing
and whose light seemed already reflected
upon The unear.hIy beauty shining on her
countenance, Il bring you here together,
father Georga-Edward-to unite YOU
thus all in my las, prayer and my last bIes.
slng-so that it will be sacrilege 10 nv
memory aud my grave if ano further cnmi,y
continue between you. We all suAer IN
a common reiribuliun-you all for yonr
wildly loving any Thing below my God
anu most JusHy lOr my want Ot perfect
ru,hlulness to you, dear father. Edward,
you have acted awlully, but you stand now
more awfully blighled Than your vicim;-
and ia,her-George 1T was YOU !ha, mad
lened him to it, and turned to bitterness
and poison heart which nature filled with
ali sweet and noble things, though il had
me elemen, of evil which | knew not. a,
east in itsierribie force. do not bid you
rot to mourn me. bu, | would have you
pingle your tears and your hearts. now
:has ened. trust, not fruilessslv lhouyh so
'oely. Edwards, as you wnuld have be-,
o me. be To her who nov fills the placc
which was 10 have been mine Father. /,
hardest Ia leave you!' sank back
by the effort she had made, and
he intensity of her own feelings. Una
weei spell Of her words, and the looks
hat gave them their eloquepce, fell upon :
he hearts of her listeners with power
Ike The descent of the dove of the holv
piri,; and before parted, al her reqaest. and
n her calm sight--sO solemn is ,he sway
{ the presence of death over lhe wildest
age OF human passlons!-so almighty the
owei oi divine forgiveness and lo,e-i.
redhle as il might .i,anst seem, Edward
fletcher had been locked in the arms oi dc