The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-07-14
A Marriage on the Scafold.
From TILE FRENCH OF ALEXANDER DUMAS.
by ELIZABETH o'nARA
(CONCLUDED.)

servant appeared, WIFI paper Ill Ills
hand otis full and entire PARDON he
exclaimed, signed and sealed My moth
er's shrek Of joy was as Of one in despair;
even Joy has its anguish; she was running
to the door--'My daughter she cried.
run to the prison. said the lacquey, 'your
daughter will be at your house, My
mother darted forth, mad with joy. sPar-
doned, pardoned,' she screamed, as she
brandished the precious parchment; she
reached the prison gates; she had been twice
repulsed, but the paper opened all locks to
her. She gained my fathers cell; he
thought it was the executioner-it was life,
not death that came to him. There was a
moment of inexpressible joy in that gloomy
dungeon. He soon required to know all
the particulars-where they had heard of
his accusation, and how they saw the count;
in word, all that had happened. My
mother began her tale-my father inter-
rupted her by his frequent EXPLANATIONS.
They soon ceased; he was silent; he hid
his face in his hands; the sweat of agony
rose to his brow; and when my mother
spoke of her repulse, and how Costanza
had gone to the count, he bounded with a
cry like that ola wounded lion to the door
1T was shuttle threw the stone that
served for his pillow tit; he had right
to demand its opening, 4 must go out this
very instant Impossible,' said the jailer.
'But am pardonej-the pardon is here
see, take it, Eyes, but read it; you see it
retains you here till tomorrow My
father swore terrible oath; he read and
re-read the parchment; it was true either
from chance or calculation, it would have
no effect till the next day. The prisoner
was silenced he sank speeches. on his
bed. My mother knelt before him. sWhat
is it?' asked she. Nothing he answered.
sWhat do you fear?' 'But little-I fear
that Costanza is unworthy Of her father,
that is ALL My mother started up pale
and trembling. 1T is impossible she cried,
'they told me she was coming that she was
coming; that l should find her at home.'
go home, then; if she be there bring her
to me- My mother left the prison; she
ran home; it was deserted. She few to
the castle, she asked for her daughter;
they said they knew not what she meant.
She returned to the cottage CostanZa had
not appeared. She waited till evening,
still she came not; then she remembered her
husband, and went again to the prison; but
this time she walked as slowly as if she
were following her daughters bier. She
found her husband seated in the same posi-
ton he knew her step, but he remained
motionless. She knelt at his feet and laid
her head on his knees. Can you imagine,
madam, the night of hellish torment that
they passed 1.-The next day they set their
prisoner free. Il have already told you,'
said the stranger with a terrible laugh,
that count Carracciolo is slave to his
world The old people left the prison,
leaning on each other; that night had
brought them nearer to the tomb by ten
years. AS they turned towards their home
they saw Costanza kneeling on the TIRES
hold ; they did not quicken their pace to
greet their daughter; she did not advance
one step to meet them; but when they
We're near, she clasped her hands and muir
mered, sForgive!' Instinctivcly my moth
er extended her arms between her husband
and her daughter: he softly put her on one
side. sForgive.' he cried sForgive,'
what have to forgive my child! Are
you not an angel, a saint7 are you not vet
more, a martyr?' lie raised her to his
arms. My mother drew her to an inner
chamber; when they were gone, he took
his gun, and proceeded to the castle. He
asked to thank the count. He had left for
Naples an hour before. He asked to thank
Raymond he was with his brother. He
returned to the cottage, and placed his gun
in its accustomed nook; then, Costanza and
her mother heard the noise of heavy fall =:
they rushed in, and found the old man
senseless on the floor. They placed him
on his bed, they sent for doctor-he bled
him-towards night, he opened his eyes;
he neither saw my mother or sister, he on
ly saw me. sMy son! my sonn he cried,
sheaven's vengeance sends YOU I was in
his arms-he babe them leave us. My
mother obeyed-my sister lingered-he
raised himself on his bed, and pointing to
my mothers distant fgure-sFollow your
mother, Costanza,' he said, 'if you would
have my blessing follow you.' Costanza
kissed his hand, and hastily embracing me,
left us. laid my arms on the table, and
knelt by his bed. Eyes, divine vengeance
sends you here,' he repeated: 'listen, my
son, and do not interrupt me, for ] feel I
have not many moments to live He then
told me all; and as he spoke his voice
strengthened, his face flushed, his eyes
sparkled with anger you would have said
he was full of strength, life, and health;
but when he told how, on returning home,
and replacing his gun, he had thought that
revenge, too, was lost, he gave stifed
proan and fell hack on his nilloU Thia