True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-04-14

. and Just as she had sci foot within the
door, she beheld Craven Lely, in travel,
ling dress, standing by an old desk, and,
once more, gazing wistlully at the AOw-
ers.
For the last time he kissed the poor
wilhered tiowers--fors slhe last lime he
waiered the faded bovaue, viii his tears,
"It is over n he Anuuered as he held
itin bis hand. "The last pang is passed!
No more tears; no raore regrels, no moro
agony and anguish of beart, but, alas. no
more love II that be not now trampled
out Of my heart. tits because | am a
soulless slave! Adieu farewell! aa-
otheFday, dawns not upon me here!"
aud he was turning to leave the chamber.
"St6p! stay i-Crsven Lely, a word
withyou !" and the voice, which sounded
in his ears, for all it was so soft and low,
was as impelious in its effect as if a
queen had spoken.
The insane glare was in her eye-her
very heart might be OoEing blood, Cor il
seemed to mingle redly with the the gath
ering foam on those lips now all Of a
deep purple hue.
81 am come to ask you favor ~ she
said.
"a favorl I!-well, speak % replied
Craven, appalled, at her look.
II have already spoken 10 my lord
you have heard that our anioh is settled {:
1.-The favor is-and he, my lord, wishes
ii, because 4 wish it-.hat you will be
his groomsman!" - ia sst
rf'IIis -greemsman Woman! would
you so coIdly murder me r'"saaa, og
"You will do it, howeverp' Her face
was ghastly in the expression that tor
nred it. She seemed to have bent up
herself to inAict Gin him those unprovoked
tortures, as il, by this, she was also in
aicing upon herself punishment pro-
porlioned to the pain poor Craven Lely
must suffer; out which, also, she herself
snust, at some future time or ether, work
as an expiration. ...
Almost to his own surprise, Craven
Consented; aud, in fact, the nuptials were
intended to take place, in three days, in
the chapel of the caslle. a . s.
It did take place, with all the pomp
and pageantry natural to the occasion and
10 the rank and wealth of the principals.
It look place, and Craven Lely s0as the
groomsman on the occasion. He looked
remarkably handsome, il is true; but the
beauty Of his fare had taken a weird and
haggard cast. He was thin and pale
not paler, however, than the bride, whose
face was like snow, and whose lips con-
tinuei to wear a strange tremble during
the ceremony. yl' rl
1t was over the guests returned to
their apartments in the castle, prepara-
tory to ieasting and departure. .
Suddenly loud shrek from the library
brought them in tumutuous masses. .e
There, OIL the floor, they beheld the
young bride kneeling, passionately clasp
ing to her bosom the dropping head Of
Craven, who was holding TO his purple
lips the faded, withered violets. He was
himself as dead and cold as were its dead
leaves. Blood flowing over his lips
showed that bis heart had burst asuuder.
"It is broken--it is broken--it will
beat no more y murmured the lady,
whom they bore shrieking AWAY. . j..
She lived long after, feVerish life oI
splendid dissipation; but she was never,
never seen to smile. Perhaps rocollect.
ion haunted her too deeply. Nevertheless,
she, too, is quiet now : and our record is
ended, a.