The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-05-07

\ might 10 OF see III ulul HlSht . oufch-
/ ture.
/ She then led me cautiously on, apparently
through large garden, for the cool night
breeze bore the perfume OF orange, cItron
pink, lemon and spice blossoms to my cheek
! We soon arrived at another door, which
creaked rustily as it opened before us; and
then our way seemed up winding stone
staircase, through passage so still, so SOL
EMMY Silent, that it even echoed eight foot
| fall of my companion, while my own heavy
tread rang like groans in cavern, through
the still, damp air.
Until now, the lady had not spoken since
we had stepped from the volante; but as we
arrived at the top of the stairs, and passed
into warmer atmosphere, she whispered
that the hour 10 test my courage and love
had arrived. We stepped across soft car
pet, and she seated me on a yielding cushion.
could see nothing through the thick veil
which she had thrown over my face. yet
kind of blueishness in the darkness before me
convinced me that was in lighted room.
No sound could hear, save the suppressed
breathing of my trembling companion, and
the beating of my own heart. After remain
for moment on the ottoman, which shook
from her nervousness, she again addressed
me:
You are armed with pistol and dagger7'
Il am said !, inwardly praying that /
might have no occasion TO use them.
You will please give me those weapons
said she.
sAhr thought |; i am betrayed; and she
asks my weapons of defence, that may be
made an easier prey! Let mesask,' said |,
your reasons tor this strange requestP
"A true lover never asks for reasons from
in fTH ;ar fha. cly ,
adding-'The business have in hand for
you has need of courage calmness and pru-
dence: but yonr weapons could avail you
nothing. They will not be required She
shudGered as she spoke; adding quickly:
Such as they have already done too muchn
She paused moment and seemed to be
schooling herself TO some dreadful task.
Again she addressed me:
! i have tale to tell you, sir: no, not a tale,
but some questions TO ask. Had you an only
sister, one who was young fair, innocent, and
ignorant of the worlds wickedness, and thus
unprepared 10 cope with vile art and sin
! iulness; and should she meet with one who
was in appearance all full OF nobleness, pu-
+ rity, generosity, and true manliness; and, in
her own full-hcartedness,s should she love him
only as woman in natures simplicity can
love; and should he by taking foul advan-
andhaving succeeded, then scornfulfy leave
her without reparation, an outcast from even
( his bosom dark thing upon the world !;
unwilling to live, unprepared to die; and
should she, in the hour when he spurned her,
! a dishonored thing, from his feet; even when
size was pleading for the love and protection
of one who with hellish art had wrought her
ruin; should she in that dire moment OF
crowded miseries strike poinard 10 his heart
she would nobly do her Gutyp cried !,
excited TO madness by the painful picture.
Would you aid her in removing all the
proo of crime q continued the mask would
YOU assist that poor girl to place beneath
The dark earth all that was earthly of her de-
filerF
Iwould If thou art she, lead on. am
, ready; all, ready 10 do more! Would that
my hand instead of thine had sent the re-
creant's soul to its kissing home! love thee
now better than before. True, thou hast
| been dishonorad but thou art avengedp
'Be'not too basty, SIR said she; let me
sketch you one other picture, before call on
you for action. Again will suppose you
have an only sister. | will suppose her, with
: your full knowledge and consent, 10 have
riven her affections and her hand 10 one
: whom YOU believe TO be noble, manly, and IN
every way calculated 10 make her know the
true hiss ofeXistence. She loves him, even
ore,.the bounds of this worlds alteration;
r watches for his smile as the flower beaten
down by the rain waits Cor the sunshine
! signs and droops when the clouds Of sorrow
cast their shadows over him; joys when his
hopes brighten; administers TO every comfort
and seems being as closely bound 10 him
as light is to the diamond. Suppose that he
TO whom you have entrusted her, the iner-
most heart-jewel of yourself. the bright cor
ner of your domestic fre-side; imagine thai
; he should grow cold and unmindin. of her
: peace; that his love for her should fade
J that her smile should fall upon him cold as
torch-lght on funeral pail; that her voice
should be no longer musicto his ear, that he
= should seek for other smiles, and give &c
: other ears words which were alone her due
when you saw her dropping, fading, dying
beneath the shadow Of his neglect what
would you dog
} Stay him by the HAND which made me
would slay him as Dog that had bitten oil
! a Serpent that had stung mep
Even as spoke, thought OF my own De
serted wife, ana Conscience Htook a pull al
l the billiards. of my heart and wrung it tc
= the very core felt as if could have given
4 a world, had it been mine TO give, if could
be placed alongside the couch Of my lonely
| bride; and l vowed in my soul never tc
7 erieve her again, should | return unframed
from the dreadful scenes ofthat night.
LADY, said /, if your first tale be, as fee
Y it is,true: If you have slain him who wrought
e your ruin, and chosen me to aid you in your
t dreadful task, pray you hasten the deed
E Let there be no delay
4 Then follow me p said she; you need moi
follow far
= She led me on few steps, into what
d supposed to be another room; here she bade
9 me 10 pause, and calm myself must ac-
d knowledge that felt greatly agitated; but
: mastering all my selfpossession and pres
! ence of mind, prepared 10 cast aside the
veil, at her bidding and determined not ic
: shrink from the horrible duty which lay be-
s fore me.
/; She lifted the veil from my head. A blaze
, of light forced me to close my eyes; and
!, then dared not open them. Imagination
\ painted a scene before me which feared
e 10 gaze upon. At last shame Enclosed my
eve-li6s and pazed around Sur