True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-10-08
sTEUBENyILLE OHIO, WEDNESDAY OCTOBER s: C8556- -

that she would not only wed the Untitled !
younger s9pJ but even degrade herself by |
a clandesIine marriage
On the night following this unlocked
for interview, yelled and lnuHied figure
stole silently. from roslern gate, which
opened upon aby-path through Folkalohe
park. The clock was strik ing midnight
as the disguised lady approached the
trysting-place. Herbert Beienden was
already therc--the- carriage was in wait
ing. and, with a silens embrace, the lov-
ers hurried to enter it. Ere the next
days sun had set, the whole neighbor.
hood knew that Herbert BelIenden had
robbed Folkstone of one of its flirest
ornaments. The slosy was widely dilfus-
ed, but, strange to say, half the world
had made RoSamond The partner of his
flight, while others said that Lilias was
the bride. The gossips were only sails
fed when Rosamond, looking pale and
sorrow(ul, but still as proud and queenly
as ever was seen accompanying her faith
er in his daily rides. 1t was strange,
passing strange. @.gt tN
Time passed on and wrought its usual
changes as he winged his silent way.
Five years had elapsed since the eventlul
night which had thus far decided The fate
Of the sisters, The old lord of Folkstone
was gathered to his fathers--the stately
and beautiful Rosamond dweIt alone in
the ancient hall, for excepting her sister
there were none of her kindred left upon
earth. Herbert BelIenden had inherited
the title and fortune which had once be-
longed to his elder brother, who had re-
cenely died childless, and the beautiful
Lilias who to the eyes of the world, had
sacrificed ambition TO love when she
welded, now ;reaped her reward in her
newly acquired rank and wealth. At the
dealh-bed Of their aged father. recon
cilialion had taken place between the es
tranged family, The old man who could
not forgive his daughters, cIandesline mar.
riage with younger son, was induced to
bestow his blessing on the richly DOVER
ed countess, and RoSamond whose cold,
proud demeanor had now become habiiu.
al, did not refuse 10 acceede to the prof,
lered peace. But though there might be
peace between them, there could be no
affection. Rosamond's heart had received
"A wound which was yet unhealed, and Lii
lias was hiding within her bosom secret
which she dreaded lest her very thoughts
should reveal. Jealous of every look and
word which her husband bestowed upon
another pining, ,torlhe affection which Her
bert neither would nor could bestow, and
continually trembling lest something
should occur 10 break the frail bonds
which seemed to hold her husband to her
side, she had indeed reaped her reward
in utter disappointment and misery.
But her puniShmen, was not yet come.
Lilias was preparing for her first winter
in London, where she had resolved to ap.
pear in all the splendors Of her beauty
and her fortune, wien a fearful accident
overthrow all her hopes. While in the
act Of stepping out of her carriage. the
horses took fright, aud the fair countess
was thrown violently 10 the ground, while
her dress becoming entangledin The steps,
she was dragged some distance over The
ruggid road before assistance could be af-
forded, She was taken up apparently
lifeless, and so lrightfully dIsfgured that
she was scarcely to be recognized.
Medical skill was immeditely procured,
but for many hours she lay between life
and death, and it was not until the second
day that the doctor pronounced the crisis
to be past.
'" Every thing depends upon care now''
said the man OF wisdom, "the slightest
change may prove fatal 10 her. the most
trivial negIect is death. ,. ---...
Then leaving draught, 10 be taken
at regular intervals, the doctor sought the
repose which, during her most imminent
danger, he had denied himself an1u
That very night as Rosamond watched
beside the bed of her unconcious sister
in the very presence Of the helpless sui:
ferer, who knew not Of what was passing
around her--tbat very night, from the
lips Of him whom she still loved better
than aught else on earth, did Rosamonj
listen TO a tale which almost maddened
her. 1t was her love thai Herbert Bel
lenden had sought---it was her hand he
had tried to whit was her whom he
(anCied he was bearing to a clandestiue
marriage and not until the hurried and con.
fused ceremony was over--not until the
veil was removed from the face of her
whom he claimed as his wife, didh learn
that Lilias, and not Rosamond, was his
companion. ss ,ts, tr ,o....i p
"From that hour, Rosamond,'' said
he, "I have loathed the very air she
breathed, and The very earth she trod.
She has been as serpent in n-my path,
and yet her tears, her agony, her blan-
dishments have won me 10 treat her some
times with tenderness that has seemed
almost like love. Yes" he added bitter.
ly, she has been as serpent in my path,
as deadly addor whose sting feel in
my very heart Of hearts; aud now she
lies like clushedbefore being me-thus to
drag out perhaps years Of misery
fearful and humble sight to AHA heavy
and wrstehsd burden 70 ny sxistsnss. Y