Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-10-21
MARTINsBURe VA, TUESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER q, 1851

1 laughed at, besides betraying that which b,
most wished TO conceal, conquered, and b,
| yielded, though reluctant his consent.
even exulted over my triumph. though have
often wished my lips had been struck dumt
| before I uttered these words that sealed the
| fate Of two pure human beings But in mt
thoughtlcssness | rushed heedlessly IN ID
whatever / undertook, regardless Of the con-
sequences. My wild reckless spirithad new
or been tanned
Finding that there was but one alternative
and that, to submit cheerfully to my whim,
he suffered himself to be arrayed as my
fancy suggested, with good grace, and even
laughed heartily as 1 added garment after
garment in order to make him look as fright
eul as possible; yet,after all, could see
that his mind was i'll at ease and half con-
demned myself for being the cause Of his
unhappiness.
When at length all was arranged to my
satisfaction placed the horrid mask over his
face and led hem to the mirror. He started
back and involuntarily placed his hand to
his head, as if to take it Away but my inter
fcrnec prevented. He even pleaded that the
penalty | had threatened to iufiet might
be spared him But ] was inexorable; /
was anxious to see the result and the Delay
caused by bis unwillingness vexed me.
Arcncwal Of my threats Of exposure sue
ccedcd in removing all obstacles, and we inn
,mcdiately set about our adventure eau
tiously as thieves we crept through tue yard,
aud each took his station, Robert at the door,
and at the window nearest him
The curtain was partly drawn aside, so that
/ could distinguish every object in the room
As had anticipated, she was alone
The domestic had retired, and / knew her
old father too well to believe he was any
where but in the arms Of Somnus; for he
was one Of those sensible persons whose
maxim is, Early to bed and early to rise"
Julia-and | shall never forget how love-
~ she sat beside a small table in the
centre Of the room, apparently deeply absorb
ed IN book. Her fair hand supported her
head, and her hair fell gracefully down her
neck in beautiful natural ringlets. She was
a delicate wild-fow that bulded and BIOS
somed under the shelter of fathers roof
and the sunshine of gladness and the dews
Of affection had ever lighted and cheered
her way.
st length gave the signal, and a loud
rap was given. She paused for moment,
listened attcntively and then laying down
her book, arose and approached the door
AS she opened it the mask stepped boldly
in, according to my directions How shall
describe the scene that followed Even now
| shudder to think gift. Instantly all earth
ly hue had fed from her face, and with
piercing shrek she staggered back few pa
ces and fell heavily on the floor Quicker
than lightning, sprang through the doorway
and knelt at her side. ! grasped her wrist,
its pulsation had ccascdl ! placed my hand
upon her heart; shat was also still. She
was dead.
recall but little else that took place that
night. The domestics who slept in an adj
joining room, had been awakened by the ter
rible Shrek, and came rushing to learn the
cause of the uproar. | could not have spo-
ken even had explanation been necessary
was overwhelmed with grief and selfcon-
domination. ! could only point to the life
less form of poor Julia and to the mask which
Robert had torn from his face aud dashed
to the floor He stood gazing at me with a
Cplu, NdCulL ctulc. tlidt bAt W. wei uuuSl
stood More cannot remember.
Ten days passed, and | awoke from arav-
ing delirium My first enquiry was for Rob-
ert They led him to my bedside; but oh,
what change. | stretched out my clasp
cd hands, in an agony Of grief and remorse,
to irlplorc his forgiveness, He neither mo-
we'd nor spoke, the same unmeaning stare
drove home tony heart the fearful conviction
Alas he was hopeless idiot
Fifteen years have elapsed since that new
er to be forgotten era in my life. never
have and never can forgive mysclffor having
been the cause of so much misery, though
have sought and hoped for forgiviness from
on high never can look upon mask
without shudder or hear its use denounced
without abiding to my experience. And
you, my young friends when you are tempted
to play tricks upon others, | am sure will
stop to consider that what seems SO innocent
and harmless, may perhaps. in the end, prove
fatal joke