Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-05-19

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close. and the sound tell on her ear
like the first fall Of the damp clods
on the coffin, the signal Of mortal sep
aration. She remained pale as stat
ute, gazing on the withered flowers,
counting the quick beating of her
lonely heart, believing herself doomed
to widowhood more cruel than that
the grave creates. Ceci's simple ex-
PLANTATION, stamped with the dignity of
truth, had reused her from the deliri-
UNI Of passion, and seeing her conduct
h its ne light, she shuddered at the
review. Her head ached to agony
one moment she shivered with cold.
the next the blood in her veins seemed
changed to molten lead. 81 feel very
strangely" thought she-"perhaps I
am going to die, and when I am dead.
he viii pity and forgive me-" She
had barely strength to seek her own
chamber, where, throwing herself on
the bed, she lay till the shades Of night
darkened around her, conscious of
but one wish, that her bed might prove
her grave, and Cecil, melted by her
early fate, might shed one tear Of for
giveness over the icy lips that never
more could open to offend. The bell
rang for supper-she needed not the
summons. A servant came to tell her
that Mr.. Dormer was below. Her
herat bounded, but she remained i'm
movable Again the servant came.
"Shall make tea for Mr.. Dormer?"
she asked; "Miss Eugenia is gone
OUT
"Rosomond started up, and leaned
on her elbow. "Gone repeated she,
wildly-"when? where?"
81 don't know, Ma'am," replied the
girl; "she put on her bonnet and shawl
an hour ago. and went out through
the back gate"
"Does Mr.. Dormer know it," asked
Rosomod, family.
81 don't know, Ma'sm-he has Just
come in" was the reply-1 saw him
reading note he found on the table
in the hall. and he seemed nightly
flustered"
There was an insolent curiosity in
the countenance Of the girl. who had
hitherto been respectful and submis-
sive. She placed the lamp near the
bedside and left the room; aud, almost
simultaneously. Cecil entered. with
an open note in his hand. which he
threw upon the bed without speaking.
She seized il mechanically, and at
tempted to read it, but the letters
seemed to move and emit electric
sparks, flashing on her aching eye
balls. 1t was with difficulty that she
deciphered the following lines, writ
ten evidently with trembling hand:
Farewell. kindest, noblest and
pest Of friends! May the happiness
which l have unconsciously blighted.
revive in my absence. Igo, sustained
by the strength Of yirtuous resolu-
ton. not the excitement of indignant
passion. The influence of your boun-
ty, remains, and viii furnish me an
adequate support. Seek not, l pray
you. to find the place Of my abode
The Heaven in which l trust will pro-
tect me. Farewell-deluded. but
still beloved Rosomondl Your injus-
tice shall be forgotten, your benefits
remembered forever"
Rosomond dropped the letter, cast
one glance towards her husband. who
stood with folded arms. pale and i'm.
movable. at the foot Of the bed, then
sinking back upon her pillow. a mist
came over her eyes. and all was dark.
ness.
When she again recovered the con.
seriousness of her existence, she found
herself in u darkened chamber, the
curtains of her bed closely drawn,
saving a small aperture, through
which she could perceive neat. mat.
ronly figure. moving with soft, careful
steps. and occasionally glancing anx.
iously towards the bed. She attempt
ed to raise herself on her elbow, but
she had not strength to lift her head
from the pillow; she could scarcely
carry her feeble hand to her forehead
to put back the moist hair which fell
heavily over her brow.
"How weak ami" said she family
"How long have slept?"
''Be composed" said the stranger.
approaching her gently, land do no
speak. You have been very i'll. Ev-
erything depends on your keeping per
fectly quiet"
Rosomond began to tremble VIC.
lently as she gazed up in the stranger
face. Why was she committed to hei
charge? Was she forsaken by hin
whom awakening memory brough
before her as an injured and perhap
avenging husbandg
where is hc?" cried she, in voic'
so low, the woman bent her ear to he
lips. to hear.
"The doctor?" replied she. "0h
he will soon be here. He said il yol
walked, no one must come near you, an'
you must not be allowed to speal
one word. Il might cost you you
lifc."
Rosomond tried to gasp out her hus
bands name, but her parched lip
were incapable Of farther articulation
Her eyes closed from exhaustion, an
the nurse supposing she slept. dre'
the curtains closer, and moved tipto
to the window. At length the doc
slowly opened. and the footstep of
man entered the room. Rosomon
knew it was not her husbands ster
and such u cold feeling fell on he
heart. she thought It the precursor {
heath. She heard a whispered cor
versation which set every nerve throt
bing with agony. Then the curtain
were Withdrawn, aud she felt a strar