Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-01-14

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waiting permission to go"n.
"Well," repliad -yron, turning 20 hInI
without the least surprise, an locking
closel, into his face by the light Of the
street lamp.
81 c,me to you with an errand which
EperhaPs-"
"a strange one, am sure; but | am
prepared for i'll have been iorewarneI
of it. What do you require of me? for |
am ready"
"Thls is strange!" exclaimed the man.
"Has another messenger, then"
"None except a spiIit-ior my hear,
alone tod me should be wanted at this
hour. Speak at once"
"My lord,a dying girl has sent for you"
"Do know herr"
s'She has never seen you. Will you
come at once, and on the way will ex.
plain 10 YOU what | can of this singular
errand; though indeed, when il is told you,
you know all that comprehend"
They were at the door of the hackney
coach, and Byron entered il without fur
ther remark.
"Back agalnw said the stranger, as the
coachman closed the door, sand drive
for dear life, for we shall scarce be in
time, learw
The heavy tongue Of ST. Pau's struck
IL as the rolling vehicle hurried on thro'
the now lonely street, and though so far
from the place whence they started, nei-
Their of the two occupants had spoken
Byron sat with folded arms and bare
head in the corner of the coach; and the
stranger, with his hat crowded over his
eyes, seemed REFRESHING some violent
emotion; and it was only when they stop
ped before a low door in the street close
upon the river, that the latter found utter
ance.
sis she allve2" he hurriedly asked Of n
woman who came out at the sound Of the
carriage wheels.
"She was, moment since--but be
quick!"
i Byron followed quickly on the heels Of
his companion, and pnssing through a
dimly lighted entry % the door of back
room, they entered. A lamp shaded by a
curtain of spotIess. purity threw faint
light upon bed, upqif which lay a girl,
watched by physician and nurse. The
physician had just removed a small mir
ror from herlps, AID holding it to the
light he whispeIea that she still breathed
AS Byron passed the edge Of the curtain,
however, the dying girl moved the fingers
of the hand lying on the coverlet, and
, slowly opened on him her lnnguid eyes
eyes of inexpressible depth and lustre. No
one Ind spoken.
"Here he isl" she murmured. s'Raise
me mother, while have time to speak t.
him!"
Byron looked around the small cham
Der, trying in vain TO break the spell OF
awe which the scene threw over hiu An
Iappartion from the other wor uI n {
have checked more earthly AMI comp ETC.
| ~ the moro worldly and scurnful nnter-
current Of mis- nature. lie sttod with his
heart beating almost audit ly,and his knees
trembling beneath him, awaiting what he
prophelicaiv telt t, be warning from the
very gate of Heaven.
Propped wi,hpillows, and le'tby her al
tendanls, the dying girl turned her had
toward the proud poet and n"ble st nd
!, ing by her bed side. and slight usi'
overspre I'd her ie itu e., whiie smllc Il
angelic beauty stole through her Ips Ia
that smile the face re-awakene TIT, for
mer loneliness, and seldom had he VIII
now gazed brealhessly upon her, locke
on such spiritual and Incompatible beau
1 ty,--The spacious forehead and the no.
: bic contour, still visible, OF the emacidted
g Hips, bespoke genius impressed upon a
tablet ali feminine in its language, and in
lthv ,rytiolI vr her huuds, anu even IN the
. slight movement of her graceful neck
g There was something that still breathed o.
surprising elegance. 1t was the shadowy
!, wreck of no ordinary mortal passing away
humble as were the surroundings, ant
4 strange as had been his summons 10 hel
| bedside.
: "AnI this is Byron!" she said at last il
ayoice bewiIderngly sweet even thro' il
e weakness. "My lord! | could not die with
: ont seeing you--wiihout relieving my sou
b Of. a mission with which it has been Ion,
/! burthenea. Come neareT--for | have n
time left for ceremony. and | must say wha
Have 10 say--and dle!"
n She hesitaied, and as Byron took the thi
7 hand she held to him, she looked steali
l. upon his poble countenauce.
a "Beauuful!" she saij; "beautiful as III
Il dream OF him which has 50 long haunte
me! the intellect and the person of
spiritof light Pardon me. my lord!-
re Pardon me, that at moment spimportai
10 TO yourself, the remembrance of an cart
40 ly feeling has been betrayed into expire
G. sion'
She paused moment,and the bright c
%. lar thai had shot through her cheek al