Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1850-02-01

tached Leaf which represented IN relief and col
ors the rose eglantine with an opening bud
The enraptured Edgar was looking intently
after this delicate flower, when by some motion
of his hand in hastily turning it around that he
might devour its contents, the central leaf was
disturbed in its position, and an elegant design
on mazzotint displayed itself. A Venus chastity
arranged dallying with her son Cupid.
This Edgar stopped for some moments to ad-
mire, although his suspense was overpowering
him. With a start, and trembling to his finger 5
ends, he turned his eyes to the contents. What
is it? Yes. Several stanZas of exquisite poetry
which breathed the truest tenderness and ma
tured and cultivated taste The style gave evil
dence at once Of the gentleness and resignation
of the well trained female heart; while it con-
tanned many Of the holder strokes of concentra-
It'd thought, which convinced at once that the
authors mind had felt the effects of severe study
and continued mental effort. Reader. | would
gladly trace those lines for your inspection
Depend upon it, aside from personal interest,
have read and admired them with as much ardor
as Edgar himself; but the fair author has forbid
den their use in this humble story. The di-
gression is surely pardonable
few words in French at the bottom sent a
thrill Of Joy to the very heart of young Edgar.
'ESt-ce que UOuSny anerie5 JamaiS!' Gould
you ever love me? This alone had been suffi-
cient 10 calm every fear, but on the second page
he read the following:
lf Robbespcrie could but know one half the anguish OF
heart that worshps unknown being and this when the
hoy e has been knded in its peaceful cell by the eXqu
size elsion OF his noble mind he certainly not
permit the writer of this TO remain longer in ignorance
MS irge hame she cannot and for her own happiness
would not believe his intention in her the life
long torture OF hopeless love! VIOLA"
No! 1t was no dream! lie felt too plainly
his reality in that lonely room. He gazed upon
1t long and uously-shuddered as he reali-
zed the irresistible sway ofhis heart towards the
object whose very words he was idolizing; as il
he were staring at his first crime. Again and
again he kissed the little treasure, loves first gift
and felt the sunlight of calmness shedding its
balmy influence gradually upon him. His fears
Tor his coming examination were fast vanishing
away. His mind was becoming settled his Judge
ment clear and memory was gathering up its
powers. This returning strength of memory
this calmness of mind existed only upon the
subject on which it was occupied; the triumph
over the gift of the young affections of the
young Viola. Every effort to think of any other
subject were fruitless, and he abandoned him.
self to the world Of fances, which the events of
the day brought trooping up before him. El-
tort upon effort to detect insncerity in his Val
entine, melted away into increasing confidence.
lie was happy-happy as mortality has hope
to be. While the passion which sustained him
was drinking in safety the lightningj portion OF
busy thought; the hour that passed was more
than an age of the half-vegetable existence OF
those who stihe and coke their natural sensibili-
ties.
AS his mental meanderings became very
reverie of rapture, he leaned heavily backin his
chair and as if the pride of meGitlon, laid his
hand Involuntary upon his heart. Oh what
was there in that motion to madden the happy
EdgaI? Did you not observe? His hand re-
coiled from the movement as from the thrust oil
the assassin! The charm that fellows that sim
gle action bears with it the poison of that joyous
hour. Again the hand ventures to his bosom
and is drawn forth and contains an object that
glietens in thousand fantastic reflection upon
the wall. His fingers now trembling like one
in an ague fit are busted about that object a
hurried motion as if to unclasp lockel and the
jewel fell with deadning sound upon the table.
He endeavored to raise it again, but with an
electric repulsion his hand was charmed from
that which now seemed working an intellectual
frenzy within him. He stood, or rather, leaped
upon his feet and walked the floor in silent an
guish. His step, slow, steady and unmuscal
was that of mental conflict. Around and again
around he came and approaching the table at
each return, he gazed for moment upon the
little image which had fallen from his hands
Still again and again ne paced forward and back
and inwardly prayed for power to conceal il
from his sight. Once or twice, ut length. with
an effort he raised it 10 his lips, and the relief
which he found from it gave vent to the pangs
of the moment
Forget? cried he, Forget? Oh! can l. fond
one! Has the momentary vision wronged thee?
Let my bastard heart rot in its unholy cell. Shall
it be responsible for every erring fancy? Never
Yet half the pains were not necessary 10 con-
vince me Of the change. couid not be worthy
OF all that effort to make Tne feel you were in
different to me. Creature of inconsistent pre-
tensions, there is reproof in that meaning and
eloquent eye! Oh for the power to mock that
look of calmness and fidelity"
But the thing is gone. With an effort that
exhausted him he thrust it back into his bosom
and sank heavily into his chair. With exem-
plary heTosm he seized a book that lay on the
table, and struggled 10 keep back the distractina
reflections that crowded upon him. How long
he read he knew not, but the mystic imagery Of
Sue bayed his attention to such a degree that
added to the exhaustion of continued excitement
his mental being languished and he soon fell in.
to dreamy and fitful doze with the words q
piH not yield trembling naudbly from his lips
How zlany minds like this have been rackeC
to torture by conflict of ungovernabe sensi
bilities. The teachings of duty often fall toe
| lightly upon the heart so susceptible of ten
der impression. Reason and Philosophy are
ever Intellectual as the antagonists of high
wrought sentiment. But Edgar was sleeping
through this hour of his trial, an hour that mus
have united him TO form an OF inion as to the sub
stantiality of his new born hopes. or resolu
ton as TO the propriety of cherishing them, or O.
casting them off forever.
An occasional start and the frequent move
ment of his lips told but too plainly that hi,
slumbers were those of busy and painful un
rest. a picture for the artist. His little lamE
burned but dimly, casting an ominous and fever
lsh light upon the open books and the sleeping
lover One hand, hanging over the back of hi,
chair, held the paper he had so often read. crush
ed and clenchingly The other clasped the LITTLE
locket which had dispeIled a train of ecstatiC
thought closely TO his bosom. His head thrown
back displayed luxurient growth of waving
hair in beautiful disorder
| Ay, the locket and the note! Ere his WAKING
hours comes the one will have silenced tho
other with murderous stroke
CHAPTER IV.-INTERVIENV WITH
| OUT A VIEW.
| Thou contest in such questionable shape
| Thai would speak with thee"
I