The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-12-31

soon lost their charm. Anxiety and disap-
pointed hope, the "hope deferred" which
<smaketh the heart sick banished the rose
from her cheek and the smile from her lip,
while two weary months passed on, bringing
no tidings of Carlton.
Tidings at last came. A package was sent
them by friend, containing several newspa
pers with the intelligence that a number OF
forgeries had been detected, committed by one
Edward Carlton, who, having eluded the pur-
suit of Justice, had escaped in vessel bound
for France. The description of his person,
the locality and circumstances. left little doubt
on their minds and even this was removed by
letter from person who was we'll acquainted
with Edward Carlton, and knew of his en-
gagement. Some of Margaret's letters, which
he said were found in Cartons lodgings after
his hasty flight from justice, were enclosed to
Mr. Leslie
The blow, sudden as it was, was dreadful
one to poor Margaret; but youth and strong
heart will resist much. Where the sting OF
disgrace, too, is felt, the struggles of therroud
spirit, terrible as they are, have power to
triumph over despair itself, Mrs. Leslie was
woman Of naughty temper, and quick
sense of honor; she prided herself, moreover,
on what she called the aristocratic blood of her
family and under her schooling the gentle
that was gnawing at her heart. Cartons
name was mentioned no more, and a perpetual
round of company and social amusements, de-
vised by the sagacious mother, ere long re-
stored the fire to her daughters eyes, and the
bloom to her cheek. 1t was not till after she
had yielded to the earnest wishes of her pa
rents, and plighted her troth to another, that
she felt how irretrievable was the wreck of her
happiness.
Mr.. Berneau was a gentleman of French
family but had lived, as he said, in America
since his childhood. He was supposed rich,
and brought letters of recommendation to Mr..
Leslie, whom he first met in the city.
The preparations for the wedding were COM
pleted, the guests were assembled in the spa
cious drawing room, which was lighted up and
decorated with garlands and wreaths of roses
the splendid supper table was laid, and shone
with rich plate; and at the doors and windows
might be seen rows of black faces glistening
with interest and curiosity; while the piazza
was Gro wded with negroes who had come up
from the plantation TO see their young mistress
married. The bride had put on the snowy
veil that hoated like a cloud over her figure,
and was seated in her room awaiting the arri-
val of the bridegroom, But he came not,
though the great clock in the hall already
pointed to the hour fixed Another hour
and yet another-rolled away. The guests
were gathered into groups, talking to each
other in ominous whispers. The bride stood
at the window of her apartment, through
which the moonlight poured. gazing listessly
upon the shrubbery and flowers that looked SO
beautif Il in the silvery light while Juliet,
pale with anxious apprehension, was at her
side.
The roll of a carriage was heard coming up
the avenue. 1t stopped before the door,
There was hustle, and strange voices were
audible in the hall. Juliet, trembling vio-
lently, chung to her sister, while the BRIDES
maids ran to the top of the stairway to see
what had hoppened. A few moments after.
Mrs. Leslie entered, evidently highly excited.
and ordered the doors to be closed. 1t was in
vain ; before the order could be obeyed they
were forced open, and a stranger rushed in
A wild shrek burst from the lips of Margaret;
she recognized in the pale and emaciated
countenance, the features of Edward Carlton.
Starting forward at the first impulse to meet
him, she recoiled suddenly, and fell fainting
into the arms of her mother.
A brief explanation will be all the reader
requires. The young man who had COM
mitted forgery and fled, though bearing the
same name, and even some resemblance in
personal appearance, was very different per-
son from the Edward Carlton who was be-
trothed to Miss Leslie. He had been long
Frustrated with one of those terrible typhoid
fevers, which leave the body and mind for
months so debilitated that the subject Is in
capable of action. Unable himself to write to
Margaret he had, as soon as consciousness
was restored, entreated friend to perform
the duty for him. That friend was no
other than Mr. Berneau Edward had met
him in different circles, where he was received
as gentleman was pleased with his bearing
and hesitated not, when Mr.. Berneau announc-
ed his intention of visiting the South, to in
vite him to accompany him. as soon as he