Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-04-01

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to avoid conversation, shook his head with
smile, and laid his hand on his heart
My attempts to ascertain the cause of his
illness were in vain but as it struck me he
was not dangerously i'll, ventured to pre-
dict speedy recovery.
Lisette seized my hand and pressed it,
fervently thanking me for the consolation I
offered. The invalid only shook his head
with faint smile
Soon after he glanced towards the win
dow, fixing his eyes wildly on one spot
He then looked at me. his countenance still
paler than before, and said trembling. and
in so low voice that neither the old wo-
man nor Lisette could hear him, ''It will
soon be over!'
There was something very mysterious in
the young mans conduct, and [ hardly knew
what to make of it myself. was too tired
to think so I begged my venerable host to
show me to my room. A bed and a ward
robe wasa all it contained. Before l retired,
the old man told me he had taken the youth
into his house after the death of his parents,
and brought him up with Lisette; of their
subsequent attachment, and that, as soon
as William should get well, they were to
be married.
In answer to my question about the young
mans illness, he could only reply that few
evenings before he had returned home un-
well from the chamois hunt. Before my
host left me. he entreated me so earnestly
to remain with them until William should
be better, that unable torefuse, [ consented.
was too sleepy to keep wake long but
I had scarcely closed my eyes. however,
when frightful storm arose, which. beating
through the open panes of the window, a.
woke me. [ looked up, the moon was no
longer clear. Heavy clouds were rolling
over it, and just then the door softly OPEN
ed. knew perfectly well I had bolted it,
and could not comprehend how it had been
opened from without. started up in bed,
but all was dark
Soon observed tall figure approaching
cautiously, clad in a white robe. The
countenance was pale, the eyes fixed and
staring.
.'t"iao 8 no is there T. cried. s.5z..-.s.szTs
Paying no attention to my question, the t.
gure walked slowly up to the old wardrobe,
opened it, seemed for long time to be seek
ing something within it, and at last brought
out white bundle She-for the appear
ance was that of a woman-unfolded it;
and | perceived distinctly that it was wind
ing sheet She looked at it some moments,
bowed her head three times, refolded it.
placed it again in the wardrobe, which she
locked, and then left the room as softly as
she had entered.
was not afraid, for fear was sensation
I had never experienced but must say |
felt sort of cold shuddering creeping over
me. Indeed, was not certain but that |
was dreaming all the time.
Finally got up and went to the ward
robe. 1t was bolted. However, I opened
it and looked in, but it was dark, and | saw
nothing that could give me any explanation
of what had passed.
Nonsense p' said I to myself, cit was
nothing bat dream" So laid down "a
gain to sleep:~bu I found this i'm possible.
Early next morning my host came to my
room. [ told him what had seen and ask
ed him if any one had been up during the
night. The old mans countenance chang
ed suddenly. Tears came into his eyes
he folded his arms together, and I saw his
lips move as if in prayer. At length he
said to me trembling, "Alas my dear sir,
it was the Bride of Death that you saw u
am afraid it is bad sign, some of US will
soon die.
''This is a warning, then" said I. shak
ing my head, and accompanying the old
man into the room of the sick youth.
He appeared somewhat better than when
| last saw him. He was sitting up and
Lisctte near him but there was something
unaccountable and peculiar about his eyes,
which were constantly turned towards the
window. After all but the young man had
/ left the apartment, he called me to his bed
side, and made me sit down near him.
Il want you to be kind to LisetteY' he
said, "for my time on earth is short To-
day the Bride of Death will carry me a.
way!"
1.-The Bride of Death!' I exclaimed,
in astonishment, and the figure I had seen
the night before at once rushed to my
mind.
Listen" said he. after a pause. Il
will tell you all. You are the only one
who will ever know it, for [ would notI
grieve Lizette and her aged parents, until
it is necessary.
I drew near to his bed in order not to lose
a word, and after short pause he began
"a few days ago" said he, Il got separat-
ed from my companions at a chamois hunt.
It was dark as midnight. when perceived
I was on frghtfully high glazier. looked
round to see which way should take to re-
turn home. Suddenly most beautiful girl
stood before me, more beautiful even than
Lisette. How she had ascended the glazier
I could not understand For several min
utes she looked at me without speaking a