Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-03-18

it scorches mine The eagle mates not with
the dove, and only Irene Cadell is fitted to be
the mate of Henry Browning Away remorse
Il will not feel it. He shall be mine."
Day after day passed, and stA silently and
surely, the tclnptresS was weaving her tolls
about the heart of the man whom she had sworn
to bring to her feet. At first, Annie accompa'
MED them in their daily rides, as Henry desir-
ed it, but they always left her to return alone
and soon any slight pretext was sufficient ex-
cuse to them for her remaining at home. Irene
was very affectSnate in her department to-
wads her, but now the young wife shrank with
a secret dread from her carcsses, and felt as il
one hour of uninterrupted communication with
her husband-such as she used to enjoy
would ease the weary pain at her heart more
than all things else.
But even that was denied her; for when
Irene was not present. Henry seemed moody
and sad, so utterly unlike his former self, that
the little time Annie passed alone with him
only increased her suffering She begged OF
him to tell her what troubled him if she had
in any way offended him but he turned from
her with impatient words that deeply wounded
her gentle spirit, and she dared not again ap-
proach him.
The summer was wearing away, and still
Irene Catlcl remained at Browning Hall. But
the fulliment of her schemes and hopes was
rapidly approaching; she knew that Henry
Browning loved her, though in words he had
never told her so. But even this last barrier
of silence must be broken, and she resolved to
hasten the crisis. Day by day young Annie
Browning was failing before her eyes; day by
day her step grew slower, and her sweet eyes
heavier with tcars but the proud woman's
purpose flltercd not.
1t was an evening lovely as those we some
times dream of when good angels watch about
us-thc anniversary OF the night when Henry
Browning had first said to sweet Annie Earle,
(" I love you," and gathered her bright head for
the first time to his bosom. Annie had retired,
| suffering from Il violent headache, the conse-
ouence of many sleepess night and anxious,
suffering day.
Alone in the spacious parlor, by the open
window, sat the master Of that beautiful home,
looking out upon the sparkling, glancins waters
of the Hudson, as they hurried on beneath the
moonlit sky. lie was trying to think, but amid
all his revcries, only one impression was distinct
\ radiant form seemed throncd within his in
most heart, and flashing, glorious eyes from
shrub and tree, and singing wave, looked deep
into his own.
"Hwy" a.
He turned atyhe low-sB2ksh name, and Irene
stood before him. NeveraHad she looked so ra-
diantly beautiful as now, when her deep eyes
met his own, with passion-kindled glanceS, and
the splendid head SEmed crowned with dia-
dem of light, as tsale moon kissed the shin
ing braids Of hetMir.
:. t" Irene'n.:kc said, eagerly, extending his
hand, ~ have not seen You before to-day
Why have you kept yourself so secluded?"
"I stayed in my room, that might complete
my preparations for departure. 10 morrow,
with the dawn, leave Browning Hail."
"Ircne, why such haste? Surely, you are
but jc>tlng.'
"Why such haste, Henry ?n And her voice
was low and thrilling, as she spoke. "Surely
it is a useless question. Better for my own
peace would it have been had l never set foot
within these walls; better for me had never
seen your face!'
She covered her face with her hands, and
leaned against tho window for support, her
whole frame quivering with suppressed emotion
1t was the last movement in the desperate game,
and if she failed the thought sent all icy
shivcr through her frame.
"Irene Irene !" lie laid his hand upon her
shoulder as lie spoke, and his face grew white
in the moonlight. Honor and duty were strug-
Cling with the unholy passion which he lad ad-
United into his bosom, and the iie.ce conflict
ragged like consuming fire.
{" / go from you" she said, at len2th, i'll bro
ken tones. :beca,lSc can no longer stay; your
dwelling must henceiorth be Il forbidden place
to me. Henry Browning ] came 10 say " iare-
well, 1--WE par. forever!'
/" rene Irene! it must not be; we nerer
part again And thus seal the pledge! !"
Throwing his arms about her yielding form
he drew her to hlm, and covered checks, lips
and brow with burning kisses.
alt is done, Irene; the long struggle is over;
| love you dcepy-paSslonatcly; L cannot live
without YOU
Hours passed, and still she lay in his arms,
with but the silent night about them, and the
watching stars above.
She lad triumphe,l! All else was forgotten
in this one brief, guilty dream OF bliss, TILL the
waning nours warned them that action was nc
cessary, and then Ircne'S strong will prevailed,
and he promised, for her sake, TO leave home
and country, and seek in other lands for that
! uncloutled happiness which they could not hope
to enjoy i'll this.
4 week later anu Henry Browning's arrange
ments were perfected, and when nights veil
was shruuding nature, he and his guilty partner
| left Browning Hall.
And did no thought Of the tender flower he
had blghted bring remorsc TO his spirit! 1t
may be; but he was like one in wild dellrlum,
conscious only Of his engrosiing passion for
Irene, whose impcrouS nature ovcrcame every
objection, and left him but one course to pursue,
if he would hope to possess her.
When Annie arose the following morning,
she found a note addressed to her upon the
drcssinc-table. Such were its contents:
"W6en YOU read this, Annie | shall be far
away. am going with Irene where we shall
be at liberty to enjoy our mutual love undlSturo-
ed am sorry to cause you pain, but you do
not, YOU cannot love me as deeply as Irene does,
and cannot live without her. You have been
n good wife to me, Annie, and perhaps sometime
YOU will pray for him who was your husband.
leave q large part Of my property subject to
YOUR disrosal, and you will never want. There
will be no bstaclc in the way OF your obtain
inn divorce from HENRY BRowNINC."
Not sigh nor a groan escaped the young
creatures lips as she comprchended this evidence
of her cruel dcsertion, but white and statue'like
she sat, as if frozen, or turned to marble. AT
length, when hours had passed, she rose and
went mechanically about her duties but she
often pressed her hand to her head, and there
was strange expression in her. eyes, which IN
dicated that reason was tottering upon hei
throne. So the long day passed..
At evening messenger came i'll haste to con
vey to Mrs. Browning tidings that her HUSBAND