Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-01-08
NUMBER so.

Ernest as If chained to her chariot wheels; and it
seemed to afford her infinite qualification to expose
him to the railery> of her less sensitive lovers
But Ernest had wooed her in the language of song,
and he now demanded in plain prose an answer to
his suit-scarcely doubling That it would ensure
his future happiness. What was his surprise,
therefore, when he met with prompt and decided
refusal Half maddened by such an unexpected
downfall of bis hopes, the passionate boy poured
forth the most earnest entreates which were cold
ly and almost insultingly checked. A torrent of
reproaches, such could only issue froma bitter
~ outraged heart, burst from his lses, and the
response was series of those keen and cutting
sareasms which sometimes have power to sever
the very heart-strings. He went out from her
presence in state of mind almost approaching to
insanity. Too weak winded to struggle manfully
against the pangs which assaed him, unsupport-
led by that moral courage which can teach brave
man to endure life even in the midst of torture
dreading the ridicule and modification to which
she had threatened to expose him by means of his
passionate verses, and conscious how entirely he
had put it in power to make him mark for
the finger of sc6n among the volatile foplings of
the day, he madiy threw away his life. The
morning after he parted with Isabel Athelstan he
found dead in his room. An empty vial on
his table and the sickly odour impaired by the
deadly drug, alone told the manner Of his death.
cause Of this rash act. 1t was proved on the in
quest, that late in the evening he called up SER
want, and gave him letter to take to the post of
fee. The letter was for his father, and the SER
want when he entered the room observed him
busted in burning letters and papers, but there
was nothing in his manner which indicated insani-
ty or distress. This was all the information that
could be elected for not scrap Of paper was
found which could throw any light upon the mat
tor f1,11-y 4h,.-., ! -
confidence of Isabel could Surnlise the truth, but
Of course it was never allowed to become SUBJ
ject of public remark, and it was impossible to
judge from her demeanor whether she really felt
herself guilty.
Soon after this event. the illness Of my dear
mother confined me to her chamber, and finally
rendered change Of air necessary, so that before
her health was sufficiently restored to permit me
to mingle in society again nearly year elapsed.
TO my surprise l found Isabel Athelstan again alb
sorbed in the conquest of new lover Mr.. Nor
ton had been introduced to her by some casual ac-
quaintance, and he too attractive prize to
be easily dropped. He was one of those men
sometimes met with in society whom time seems
to forget or else to spare for their pre-eminent
beauty. Tall and finely proportional, with fig
ure sufficiently inclined to embonpoint to denote
that he had passed the earliest prime of manhood;
but with check as unfurrowed, brow as smooth,
and locks as raven black as ever boyhood wore, it
was quite impossible to conjecture his real age.
Whether he was too well practiced in female
wies to be gained by such lures as Isabel spread,
or whether he was of too cold temperament to
be excited by woman's charms, | know not, but
soon perceived that he not likely to be easily
cnsnared. His Indifference towards her even APP
preached contempt and the sarcastic remarks
which occasionally dropped from his lips as he
watched the frivolous beings tluttering around her.
were well calculated to arouse her pride. Resent
ment now became powerful auxiliary to vanity,
and Isabel determined that, cost what it would
Mr.. Morton should yet be made to feel her power
But for once she had met with an equal match
Morton understood the arts Of coquetry as well as
herself, and it was amusing to an unconcerned
spectator to watch the movement of the opposing
parties.
Isabel'S arts at length recoled upon herself
The interest she had so often fegned she at length
really felt, and while attempting to entangle the
affections of the impracticabe Morton involved
herself in an inextricable maze. Softened, as it
should seem, by the unaffected tenderness of Isa-
bel be, at last seemed to throw aside the GOODNESS
in which he had enwrapt himself, and it soon be-
came evident that the game of coquetry would
probably end in serious attachment between the
players. Naughty to fault, and entirely regard
less of censure, Isabel did not hesitate to evince
her Partially for the stranger by every possible
method, while his growing regard for her was APP
parently repressed, and he seemed constantly
struggling to overcome it. This was the MASTER
stroke of his policy, for his fine person and atrac-
tive manners were scarcely more winning to Isa-
bells heart than his mysterious bearing, his un-
conquerable coldness and his reluctant submission
to the irresistible power of affection. She loved
Morton, and she was proud to exhibit her affection
in every mode which her ingenuity could advise:
In his presence her wonted calmness was exchang-
ed for restless and feverish excitement; she
watched his every look and listened to the accents
of his voice as if her very existence depended on
them. At length l learned that Mr.. Morton had
offered himself to Isabel, and been accepted
/ No inquiry had been made respecting his charae-
ter or his fortune Heartsick with hope deferred.
Isabel had oyfully listened to his suit and ere he
had half urged his claims to her hand, had glad
lily yielded it. Isabel was orphan, and the
widowed aunt with whom she had always resided
had no power to control her hayward viii. vIts8s
Preparations were Immediately commenced for
celebrating the nuptials in style of unwontsd
magnifcence. Invitations to very large number
of friends were issued three weeks before the eve
ming appointed for the wedding, and all that mon
ley could procure of rich and rare was put infe-
quisition for the occasion. was selected saoae
/ of the bridesmaids and Isabel presented us with
Z our dresses, which were of white brocades efA-
! broidered with silver roses. During the short
time which elapsed previous to the Marriage lsa<
= bel exhibited an almost ehdke Joy. which called
: forth the censure of those who considered such
: oxidation as unwomanly and indelicate. But the
conduct of Morton was perfectly inexplicable. HIS
: moody and restless manner was ill-suited To- a