Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-08-17

Hefei i1oIe tHali HeT HlaluueHIy uluueSl)
might well beseem her conduct. Now
knew-God forgive me for the rage tha
tugged at my heart-stripgs as | thought il
why has she talked of Frederick, oh foo
that was, not to comprehend; she smiled
on me because had ever some sweet re-
collection 10 tell--some comely virtue t,
praise, and blinded by my own blindness, i
may so speak, ! fancied she loved me.
How did command myself enough still
to stand motionless, even till | learned the
day and hour that the very wedding woulc
take place, for every nerve in my body seem
ed changed to an instrument o! torture
Fortunately they did not pass me; bat re.
traced their steps, and |, bending low, with
an almost breaking heart, slowly left the
grave yard and walked towards home, toe
wretched to think or tell all the crushing
weight of my disappointment. The mex
day bo{e1u SUI. :se, was III my 79sy 10
the ncighboring city; was in a strange tu.
mult, that | knew not but would prove fatal
to me; was ready for almost any desperate
deed, and had more than once-l shudder
when think of it--contemplatcd seli-de.
structon; but called philosophy, nay,
something higher, holicr to my aid--religion.
and in time, became soothed if not com.
fortrd that is, after knew May was IRE,
vocably married.
Two months passed deemed myself
sufficiently fortified with good resolutions,
to return home to my chosen place of resi-,
dence it was high noon when drove up
to the Main-street carriage dashed by
me, light vehicle in another moment il
had turned and Frederick was abreast.
involuntarily drew my reins, his face de-
noted suffering.
"For Gods sake, Doctor Lane. my early
friend, do not stop till you reach Mrs. Ken
daI's; my May lies there--sick, dying" he
gasped how ashy pale he was. My face
blanched-I felt singular kind Of tremor ;
we dashed ahead neither speaking, and in
fifteen minutes | stood by the couch Of the
young l.ride. That was an awful hour thus
spent; at its close, | pressed down her
white eyelids over her dull, glazed eyes
ah, heaven thought |, how can such beau ::
be dead! And still, for all, there was
triumph at r.---=ls--.-"n.lL l."L- >;
aTluf grief 81 the husband, saw the =
droops like blood bead his broad, wL''
forehead; almost forced him from the III.
ANIMATE body, that he would hold claspcd
10 his bosom, kissing the white lips, The
whittier cheeks, even the golden locks that
laid damp and uncurled over her shoulders.
And when left the house of mourning,
was it not strange the calmness felt SET
Ting down over my spirit Could thought.
even in its faintest tracery, swell through
my mind at such tine-she is not mine,
and neither is she his; | am glad that as she
could not lie mine only, that death can claim
her now! fear had conscience applied
her torch, she would have read those scatch-
ing words written on the crimson portals Of
my heart; but must hasten.
The next day went over to be present
at the funeral services; and still | felt that
sorrowful happiness. Poor Frederick was
at times raving, then stupid with great woe:
the muurners assembled, the beautiful dead
laid robed in satin in her cotfin already the
large parlor was filed with weeping friends.
took my station by the coffin; with
unutterable tenderness | gazed upon that
heavenly countenance--it looked not like
stern death, but, soft, smiling slumber.
There were all her young companions
around-village maidens, whose sivery
voices joined in a simple burial songg---but
oh how these voices wavered, and trembled
until tears and sobs choked down their
music, and one mournful h :art-rending 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 to call her
Just as she was standing OIL the threshold
of happy life, and looking through to the
rose colored future | still kept my place
by the head of the coffin, my eyes full o
tears, never once moved from that holy
face.
fancied the features grew dim. | though
my sight failed, and bent closer to the
corpse; l. drew back, wiped my eyes
looked again; God Of mercy, what thrill
sent wild shock through my frame ane
smote my brain as with FIRE! | reeled
| fell over almost on the coffin; there was
a moisture in the glass--moisture that CONF
not off when l,appled my hand--moistur'
upon the inside!
My knees trembled, my heart beat agains
my side till my body swayed like pendu
um ;.all my serenity was gone; the voice
of the pastor whistled in, my ear each mo
ment was an hour; and yet | knew no
what to do. The conflict came again.
was awful-awlul! If kept my silence
she was still the bride of death, and a
much mine as another's; if spoke, sh
was again the wife of my rival. dare no
think of my emotions now; [ could no
have been myself when that horrible temp
taton beset me, and whispered me to lie
the dark grave claim her, if might not
Oh that was the great sin of my liIe;
hope am forgiven.
The perspiration weited out from ever
+ pore, but the agony was passed; | coul
have throttled tue pastor that he did no
, cease, yet | feared for the life of the poo
husband, should he know the truth too SUD
denly there was tinging from my head t
my fingers ends; l shook like all aspe
! leaf
Amen oh, how thanked God for tha
' sound still clung to the coffin /! | veal
5 weak as a child.
1t was the custom for the chief mourner
, to be called first that they might be spare
tho shock of seenu the dear one borne vi