The true Democrat., 1855-01-03

as sne stopped her lips to his forehead, eff the a nano o1 Gam were witten upon that brow in characters of blood 1 would not believe your crimes had stamped it there"
 q aor moment Morton seemed touched and SoiVeneo "Come my Isabel" said he, i've are M growlngtoo serious; let us seek gayer theme Ieil me ot your early days; did YOU never meet wl'll one whom you once loved even as you now love Walter Morton?,
 "Never"
 "If this little cabinet of yours could be un- sealed, Isabel, would 1t not tell some tales of ioVers VoWs," asked Morton, as he laid her hand on his writing desk
 Look for yourself Walter.n said Tsabol emil ing, as she touched spring and opened the desk. Glad that the conversation had taken 2 gayer turn, placed the cabinet on the table and insisted that Isabel should examine and burn her love tokens in the presence of her lover With gay laugh she consented, and as we tossed over many a letter which contained the genuine out-pourings of affection, Isabel sketched many an amusing picture of the Avri- ters. We had already given many to the flames, when Morton took up bundle of pa pers tied together and labelled "Poetry'- Ihey were the verses of the unfortunate Thad. Gray, and fearing lest the painful story should De revived, hurrledly threw them into Isabel,s lap, but not before Morton had seen the hand writing.
 As Isabel flung them into the blazing pile, Morton darted forward and snatched them from the flames. Seriously alarmed and vexed Isa- bel strove to obtain them, but he was as reso- Iute III obtalng possession, until dreading to excite hls curiosity by apparent desire to con- ceal them Isabel promised to read them aloud Ii he would return them. Morton accordingly placed the scorched papers upon the table, and Isabel drawing one from the parcel commenced reading. But anxious to disarm Morton of any suspicious to which her anxiety to secure the papers might have given rise, she paused and drew most ludicrous picture of her poe tical lover. She depicted his timdity, his awkwardness, his exaggerated sentiment, his morbid sensibility; and while reading the poem, which happened to be his lament for his mo- ther, she mimicked his nervous gestures and peculiar tone of voice. Shocked at her cruel mockery of the dead, 1 had not thought of Mr. Morton, but when l looked towards him, the expression of his countenance was almost demoniacal. Putting his handkerchief to his lip, which was bleeding profusey for he had almost bitten it through, he pleaded sudden illness and withdrew, but the papers disappear ed with him.
 On the night appointed for the wedding a large and brilliant party was assembled. The apartments were decorated in a style of un- paralleled magnifcence, and everything dis played the union of wealth and taste. The clergyman who was to Officiate on the occasion was already i'll waiting, the bride and brides maids were attired in their costly array, the 9roomsmen had joined us in the ante-room and nothing was wanting to complete the arrange ments but the presence of the bridegroom- FNbo bpur oJ +bo . clock, but minute after minute passed, and still Mir. Morton did not appear. Eight o'clock came, and the groomsmen sprang into carriage and set off in search of him, while the minds of all present were filled with the most painful ap- prehensions. Isabel was almost wild with ter TOT. Illness or death she deemed would alone detain him, and she sat with clasped hands and dllated eyes listening to every foot fall. At length, a carriage was heard driving at full speed to the door, and the next moment Mor- ton entered the apartment Overcome by her agitation Isabel sprang forward and threw her self into his arms Disengaging himself from her, he led her to seat, and while we stood in speeches. wonder, he walked to the door and bolted 1t, then returning to his trembling bride, he looked down on her with an expression I shall never forget, as he exclaimed
 Isabel, my revenge is complete! You love me-even now you would forgive the shame I have put upon you, and wed your laggard To- yer. Yes, my debt is paid, and I leave to a life of lingering WretchednesS she who doomed to the grave of a suicide my beloved son!-- Listen to me.'' continued he, as with wild cry, Isabel started from her seat-"woman, lis- ten to me. He, whom your cruelty murdered, was my son-the offspring of the only pure af- lection that ever filled my heart-the child of my InIyp- yO.shI rNaI bic tlo~ in the midst of crime. From the pOlutions of my own dark life 1 rescued them. They ne- yer knew whence came the wealth which af- torded them luxuries for which princes might seek in vain; they knew not why the husband aud father left 50 oft his home of peace and splendor My wife perished beneath the blightlng touch of disease, and laid her in the grave sadly but uncomplainingly; but when my son was stricken down in the midst of his young hopes, l swore to be revenged on his murderess. Isabel, 1 could have pitied you had you shown one womanly feeling or pitty- ing tenderness towards his memory. 1 could have ptied you; but no! you mocked him whom you had slain! Now go, and tell yon brilliant assemblage that Isabel-the proud, beautiful, the high-bo Isabel-plighted her faith to Antoine Gray, buccaneer, and was spurned like reptile from his path"
 AS he uttered these fearful words he StrOde away and ere our cries could summon assist ance he had made good his retreat The whole house was of course, scene of confusion.- Isabel was in strong mysteries, and we were too much overcome by the shock we had receiv- cd to use much discretion in our details of the catastrophe. Before the next morning the whole town rung with the tale, and while Isa- bel lay between life and death the story of her 'lnprincipled coquetry and it's fearful retribu- ton was in the mouth of every one.
 MT. Morton, or rather Capt. Gray, was never again heard of.
 What became of Isabel? you ask. She ne- &,,r again appeared in society. Bowed down bS shame and sorrow-outraged in her pride as well as her afect;ons-she took refuge in dis tant country town, and in strict retirement en- deavored to conceal her disgrace But it was \ hct until time had destroyed her matchless lNsyauty, and raised up another generation, to Wpom the events of her youth were but as le-