The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-06-07


serving as she bent over her guitar,
the most exquisite shoulders and the
prettiest shaped head in the world
She rose with such graceful confusion
and her long eyelashes fell over black
eyes-black as Gulnare's when their
light wakened the slnmbers Of the
Pirate. She was now dressed in
white, her rich dark hair vas gather.
ed up by combs of gold, her girdle
was Of gold also, and so were the
massive bracelets on her arm, whose
symmetry sculptor might have
modelled. They sat down to dinner,
and all embarrassment foated away
on the champagne: coffee, liquors,
and confidence all came together
'My name is Allegra,' said the beau.
tiful stranger, Il was born at Naples,
and the revolution which deprived
Murat Of his crown, deprived ny ia.
ther, also, from his country. He fed
to America, carrying with him, how.
ever, the best part of his wealth,
which, from his solitary habits, accu.
mulated from year to year. AS my
evil fate would have it, when on the
verge of womanhood, he formed an
acquaintance with Englishman, Sir
George Walsingham, who soon ac.
quired unbouded influence over him.
My father died God forgive my sus.
picion if unjust--bnt his death was
strange and sudden. On opening his
will, it was found that all his proper
ty was left to me--but on condition
that | married Sir George Walsing.
ham. who otherwise inherited, to my
exclusion. l implorcd his mercy;
told him I never could return his of.
fcction; and, at last, finding refusals
and approaches in vain, l fed hither
with what money and jewels Ishad.
Alas, even here he has pursued me +
Sir George Walsing CHAM was the off!
Ger who urged the Northumberland.
to the dangerous trial of today; III d
few hours heewill be here; he will
claim me as his wife, and I have no
resource. Will you save me from
fate more horrible than death p
with my life; only tell me what to
do said Eugene, gazing on face
lovely as dream. You must stay
here: / will 60 to meet him, and be-
the first to propose reconciliation.
We will send for the priest who will
marry u.s. Marry me and Sir
George 2 Yes you will follow US
to church, and as we come out, you
will kill him. Kill him?' Well !?
But it will be an absolute murder-an
assassination Murder and him it
is q justcc-a duty; are you cowardF
She sprang to her ieet-the veins dark
ened on her white brow, her cheek
coiored crimson, and her eyes flashing,
Us if she at least knew not the meaning
of fear. But said the Partisan, pale
with contending passions, what needs
this marriage? ? What? let him revel
in my fathers wealth, which can only
inherit as his widow?' He caught the
earnest gaze Of her large bright eyes,
the pleading of her beautiful mouth,
the sweetness of whose breath was
even on his check;-he caught her
small white hands, and swore upon
them to do her will. You must leave
me now said she; it is late She led
him to the door; and as it closed, be
again met those radicnt eyes, and sure.
ly love was in their long and lingering
look. That night the hotel was dis
turbed by an arrival. The wind had
changed, and the packet entered the
harbor. Next morning he learnt that
Sir George Walsingham had come; he
learnt too, that orders had been sent
to prepare the chapel for a marriage.
In vain lie sought another interview
withAllegra. ~ carriage at length drove
up to the door. Supported by . tall,
dark, slcrn-looking man, Allegra was
borne to the vehicle; Eugene followed
it, and arrived just as the ceremony
was concluding. Sir George held his
victim by the arm, and fixed his fierce
eye upon her with cold and cruel ex.
preston; She was almost hidden by
her veil; but she was trembling. and
the little of her face could be seen was
white rs the marble of monuments
around. The ceremony was ut an end
and they left the chapel. Instantly
the young Partisan sprang forward
and struck the bridegroom in the face
Liar. murderer, and coward do you
dare follow mel' The Englishman
started, and then struck him in return
For life or for death-yours or mine {!
cried Eugene, offering him one of two
pistols. They rctreated few PAGES
fired, and both tell-Sir George sho,
through the healt-the Partisan dan
gerously wounded. He was carried
to his hotel, where he lay for some
hours insensiblc. AT length no wa,
able to speak. His last recollection
was of seeing Allegra tnintin5 in tht
arms ofthe attendants. Where is she7
exclaimed he looking round the room