Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-02-09

lawns" Then the youthlM pair were so
happy in each other, and So well suited in
tastes and disposition There seemed
nothing to darken the prospect. The let
ters of Carlton were frequent, and filled
with glowing accounts, of success, even
beyond his most sanguine anticipations.
| Some time passed, and the family were
beginning to talk of visit from their cher
ished friend when his letters suddenly ceas-
ed. The Leisles had just returned from
their annual excursion TO Charleston DUR
ing the season ofthe raeesswhere Marga-
ret had mingled much ii fashionable So
ciety, and had, ,recsiy easion due to
d fepured heifess u III, Us, had fflade
her first entrance into gay life. They had
returned home weary-as they said Of dis
sipation. Margaret was enchanted to have
her music and drawing again, and her long
rides on horseback But these soon lost
their charm. Anxiety and hope, the
''hope deferred'' which ''maketh the heart
sick" banishcd the rose from her cheek
and the smile from her lip while two wea-
ry months passed on, bringing no tidings OF
Carlton.
Tidings at last came. A package was
sent by friend, containing several news
papers, with the intelligence that number
Of forgeries had been detected committed
by enc Edward Carlton, who having elu-
ded the pursuit of justice, had escaped in
vessel bound for France The description
of his person, the locality and circumstan-
ces, left little doubt on their minds; and
even this was removed by letter from a
ward Carlton, and knew of his engagement.
Some Of Margaret's letters, which he said
were found in Cartoons lodgings after his
hasty flight from justice, were enclosed to
Mr.. Leslie. -"
The blow, sudden as it was, was a
dreadful one to poor Margaret; but youth
and a strong heart will resist much. -
Where the sting Of disgrace, too, is felt,
the struggles of the proud 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 the schooling the gentle
Margaret soon learned to hide the anguish
that was gnawing ut her heart. Carlton s
name was mentioned NO more, and per-
petual round Of company and social a.
musements, devised by the sagacious moth
er, ere long restored the fire to her daugh-
ter's eyes, and the bloom to her cheek. 1t
WASH not till after she had yielded to the
earnest wishes of her parents, and plighted
her troth to another, that she felt how ire
trievable was the wreck Of her happiness.
Mr.. Berneau was gentleman of French
family, but had lived, as he said, in Ameri-
ca since childhood. He was supposed
rich, and brought letters Of recommends
ton to Mr.. Leslie, whom he first met in
the city.
y n n
The preparations for the wedding were
completed; the guests were assembled in
the spacious 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 crowded
with negroes who had come up from the
plantation to see their young mistress mar
ried. The bride had put on the snowy
veil that hoated like cloud over her fig
ure, and was seated in her room awaiting
the arrival 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 win
dow of her apartment, through which the
moonlight poured, fazing lisllessly upon
the shrubbery and flowers that looked SO
beautiful in the silvery light; while Juliet,
pale with anxious apprehensions, was at
her side. ... Esd. So.
The roll Of carriage was heard COM
ing up the avenue. 1t stopped before the
door. There was a hustle, and strange
voices were audible in the hall. Juliet
trembling violently, clung to her sister,
while the brides maid ran to the top of the
stairway to see what had happened. A
few moments after, Mr.. 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 stranger rushed in. A wild
shrek burst from the lips Of Margaret; she
recognized in the pale and emaciated be-
ing the features of Edward Carlton. Start
ing 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
person from the Edward Carlton who was
betrothed to Miss Leslie. He had been
long prostrated with one Of those terrible
typhoid fevers, which leave the body and
mind for months so debilitated that the SUBJ
ject is incapable of action. Unable him.
self to write to Margaret, he had, as soon
as consciousness was restored, entreated a
friend to perform the duty for him. Tha,
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 announced his intention
of visiting the South, to invite him to &C
company him, as soon as he should be able
to travel.
Not few will remember the sensation
l.s..