The Davenport gazette., 1852-04-08

but never more than maidenly modest,
might we'll beseem her conduct. Now
knew-God forgive me for the rage tha
tugged at my heart-strings as thought it
why she had talked Of Frederick; oh
fool that ] was, not TO comprehend: she
smiled on me because was his friend, be
cause ] had ever some sweet recollection
to tell, some comcly virtue to praise; anc
blinded by nv own blindness, if may SC
speak, fancied she loved me.
How did command myself enough, still
TO stand motionless, even till learned the
day and hour that the wedding took place
for every nerve 10 my body seemed chang
ed to an instrument oftorture. Fortunate
ly they did not pass me; but retraced theil
steps, and |, bending low, with an almos,
breaking heart, slowly left the pIeasan,
graveyard, and walking towards home, toe
wretched to think or feel all the crushing
weight Of my disappointment. The next
day, before sunrise, was on my way to
the neighboring city; was in strange tu
mutt, that know not but would prove IA.
tai to me; was ready for almost any des-
pera'e deed, and had more than once-l
shudder when think Of it-eontemplated
self destruction; but | called philosophy
nay, something higher, holier. 10 my aid
| religion, and in time became soothed If not
comiorted; that is, after knew May was
rrevocably married.
Two months passed; deemed myself
sufficiently fortified with good resolutions.
dence. 1t was high moon when drove up
The main street; a carriage dlshed BY me.
a.igh, vehicle; in another moment il had
turned, AID Frederick was abreast. in
voluntarily drew my reius; his face demo
ted suffering.
"For Gods sake, doctor Lane. my early
friend, do not stop till you reach Mrs. Ken
daIl's: my May lies there-siek, dying
he gssped; how nshy pale he was. M
face blanehed; ] felt a singular kind of tre-
m,r; We dashed ahead; neither speaking.
and in fifteen minutes stood by the couch
of tho young bride. That was an awful
hour thus spcnt; at its close, ] pressed
down her white eye.ds over her dull. glazed
leyes-ah! heaven! thought |, how can such
beauty be dead? And still. for all, there
wns triumph n, nv heart--nn,il | beheld
The awful grief Of the bcrcnve1 husband.
saw the big drops like blood bead his broad
white forehead; almost forced bim from the
inanimo'e body. that he would hold clasped
to his bosom, kissing the white lips, the
whittier cheeks, even the golden locks, that
laid damp and uncured over her shoulders.
And when left that house Of mourning,
was il not strange the calmpess fe!, set
Ting down ovor my spirit? Could this
,honghi, even in its fantest trncery, swell
through my mind al such iime-she is
no, mine. and neither is she his; am glad
that as she could no, be mine only, none
but death can claim her now? fear had
conscience applied her torch, she would
h,ve resd those scathing words written on
the crimson portals OF my henrt; bu, must
| hasten.
The mex, day ! went over TO be presen,
al the funeral services; and still felt that
sorrowful happiness. Poor Frederick was
al times rnving, then stupid with his gren,
woe; the mourners assembled, the beautiful
dead laid robed in satin in her coffin, al.
ready the large parlor was filled with
weeping friends. took my station by the
| coffin; with unutierable tenderness Razed
upon that heavenly countenance--it look
ell not like stern death, but soft, smiling
sIumber.
There were all her young comps Mons
around, village maidens, whose silyery
voices Joined in simple burial song; but
oh! how those voices wavered, and trem-
bled, until tears and sobs choked down
lhcir music, and one mournful, hear, rend
ing wall sounded through the room.
The pastor arose and began his PRAYER;
never heard more affecting petition;
how gently he spoke Of her youth. her
beauty and goodness; the circumstances
under which God was pleased 10 call her.
Just as il were standing on the threshold
Of happy life, aud looking through to the
rose -coIored future. still kept nv place
by tho head Of the coffin; my eyes fall Of
tears, never once moved from that holy
face.
fancied tho features grew dim; thought
nv sight failed, aud | bent closer to the
corpse; drew back, wiped my eyes-look-
ed again: God of mercy, that look sent
wild shock through my frame and smote
my brain AZ with fire! reeled; fell al
most over upon the coffin; there was mos-
ture upon the glass, moisture that came not
off when applied my hand; moisture upon
The inside. My knees trembled, my heart
beat against my side till my body swayed
like pendulum; all my serenity was gone !;
the voice of the pastor whis,ed in my ear;
each moment was an hour, and yet knew
not what to do The conflict came again
lit was awful, awful; il kept my silence,
she rras still The bride of death, and as
much mine as dnother's: ii spoke, she was
again the wife Of my rival. dare no,
think of my emotions now-I could no,
have been myself when the horrible temp
ta,ion beset me, and whispered me TO lei
the dark grave claim her, il nigh, not
o! that was the great sin Of my life; hope
| am forgiven.
The perspiration weled out from every
pore. but the agony was passed; could
have throttled the pastor that he did no,
cease--yet ! feared for the very life Of the
poor husband, should he know the truth
too suddenly; there was tinglng from
49,, ba,J ~ ,,,, G,rores op1c ahoak like