Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-05-27

looking pale and sorrowful, but still as
proud and queenly as ever, was seen &C
companying her father in his daily rides
1t was strange, passing strange.
Time passed on and wrought his usual
changes as he winged his silent way. Five
years had elapsed since the eventfu night
which had thus far decided the fate of the
sisters. The old lord of Folkstone was
gathered to his fathers--the stately and
beautiful Rosamond dwelt alone in the
ancient hall, for, excepting her sister, there
were none of her near kindred left upon
earth. Herbert BeIlenden had inherited
the title and fortune which had once be-
longed to his elder brother, who had re-
Gently died childIess, and the beautiful
Lilias, who, to the eyes of the world, had
sacrificed ambition to love when she we'd
ded, now reaped her reward in her newly
acquired rank and wealth. At the death
bed of their aged father a reconciliation
had taken place between the estranged
family. The old man, who could not for
give his daughters clandestine marriage
with younger son, was induced to bestow
his blessing on the richly lowered countess,
and Rosamond, whose cold proud de-
meanor had now become habitual, did not
refuse to accede to the proffercd peace.
But though there might be peace between
them, there could be no affection Rosa
mond's heart had received a wound which
was yet unhealed, and Lilias was hiding
within her bosom a secret which she
dreaded lest her very thoughts should re-
veal. Jealous of every look and word
which her husband bestowed upon another,
pining for the kindness and affection which
Herbert neither would nor could bestow
and continually trembling lest something
should occur to break the frail bonds
which seemed to hold her husband to her
side, she had indeed reaped the reward in
utter disappointment and misery.
But her punishment was not yet come.
Lilias was preparing for her first winter in
London, where she had resolved to appear
in all the splendors of her beauty and her
fortune, when fearful accident overthrow
all her hopes. While in the act of STEP
ping out of her carriage, the horses took
fright, and the fair countess was thrown
violently to the ground, while her dress
becoming entangled in the steps, she was
dragged some distance over the rugged
road before assistance could be afforded.
She was taken up apparently ifeless, and
so frightfully disfgured that she was scarce
ly to be recognized. Medical skill was
Immediately procured, but for many hours
she lay between life and death, and it was
not until the second day that the doctor
pronounced the crisis to be past,
That very night, as Rosamond watched
beside the bed of her unconscious sister
in the very presence of the helpless sufferer
who knew not of what was passing around
her--that very night from the lips of him
whom she still! loved better than aught else
on earth, did Rosamond listen to tale
which almost maddened her. 1t was her
love that Herbert Bellenden had sought
it was her hand he had tried to whit
was her whom he fancied he was bearing
to candestine marriage, and not until the
hurried and confused ceremony was over
not until the veil was removed from the
face of her whom he claimed as his wife
did he learn that Lias, and not Rosamond
was his companion.
From that hour. Rosamond," said he,
Il have loathed the very air she breathed
and the very earth she trod. She has beer
as a serpent in my path, and yet her tears
her agony, her Establishments have wor
me to treat her sometimes with tender
ness that has seemed almost like love. Yes
he added, bitterly, "she has been as ser
pent in my path, as deadly adder whose
sting | feel in my very heart of hearts
and now she lies like a crushed worm be
fore me--thus to drag out perhaps year!
of misery-a fearful and humble sight tc
ala heavy and wretched burden TO nay
existence"
What were the feelings of Rosamonc
when she listened to this strange talel TIL,
loodgates of passion were thrown down.
the barriers of pride and principle gave
way, and in that fearful hour the secret o
her long boarded passion was revealed Il