The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-11-25


were soon formed, and favorable opportunity
occurring, determined to repair Immediately
to Charleston, in defiance of every danger The
image of the lovely Mary pale and weeping as
when she bid me farewell haunted my magma
ton, whether sleeping or waking. l had suffered
SO much during my residence amongst the mo-
rasses of Cuba, and my complexion had by con-
slant exposure become so sunburnt, that was
confident, should secresy be necessary on my ar
rival, / stood little danger of detection. But
be that as it would, there was no danger that
would not have cheerfully encountered, to have
listened to the sweet accents and enjoyed the
delightful company of Mary I left Havana
and reached Charleston in safety. The vessel
anchored in the bay, and with palpitating
heart proceeded In the boat for the city It
was dark when | presented myself at the door
of Mr.. Morntons residence, and with q faltering
hand knocked for adrnittance
The door was opened by the same servant
who attended when I had before resided with
Mr.. Mornton / was shown into the same room
where had so often sat, but on enquiry for Mr..
Mornton / was informed that he was out on
business, but would return in an hour told
the servant I would await his arrival - took
volume which was lying there and seated my
self with apparent composure Every thing in
see a beautiful full length portrait of her was
suspended over the mantle piece, and on open
ing the book, the first thing that met my eyes,
were the following lines, in the well known hand
of Mary
g All why delay his wished returned? Forgive nae,
Q, forgive me- Mortimer, but joys deferrd
Make my heart sick, and hope, with all its pow'rs
Can scarce suppress the anguish of my bosom.
But peace each murmur fate itself may strive,
But cannot sever thy faithful heart from mine.''
The agony Of suspense was intolerable; /
longed to enquire for Mary, but prudence forbid
perceived that the servant had entirely for
gotten me- and waited impatieiltly the arrival
of Mr. Mornton / walked the room: I lis
tened to every step, with the hope of catching
the sound of the light and fairy football of the
lovely Mary. The hour passed away, and Mr.
Mornton arrived. spoke he knew my voice
instantly, and seized me by the hand.
"Good heavens Mortimer, can it be you p"
exclaimed Mr.. Mornton, or is it only an ilu
sion to mock my senses and aggravate my mis-
fortunes ("
" 1t is no illusion-I am your own Morti-
mer,n I replied 90. where is Mary? for heav-
ems sake let me see her let me fly to her y
Good God!" answered Mr. Mornton, grasp
ing my hand conyulsiyely, are you yet to hear
the fatal story are you yet to learn that Mary
is in Heaven yes, she is gone gone f6rever!"
added he, as the tears trickled down his cheeks,
and felt warm upon my hand
/ could not weep; could not speak; and it
was with difficulty could support myself from
sinking to the floor The agonies of expiring
nature, am convinced, will never exceed those
Of that moment, when every prospect of happi-
ness was at one fell blow destroyed, and hope,
the last anchor of the wretched, torn from its
moorings.
30 God I" / cried, when my agitated feel
ings permitted the power of utterance, why
was spared to endure this extremity of wretch
edness why was preserved to suffer the ago
MES of living death
!" Ny dear Mr.. Mortimer, accuse not omnipo-
tence rashlyp said Mr.. Mornton, II loved her
as well as you. All | feel too well loved
her; my heart was bound up in the happiness
Of Mary but nothing earthly could save her
from the conquerer's arms Oh Mortimer,
these hands closed her eyes; this bosom received
her last sigh and her dying exclamation, Ny
dear father, am fastening to the company Of
nv dear Mortimer still sounds in my ears
His grief found vent in tears and /, sum-
moning all MY fortitude, ventured to make an
enquiry respecting her decease, and the time the
heart-rending event took place.
You will remember" answered Mr. Morn
ton, the manner in which you left Charleston.
Though it was Immediately known that Mr..
Hanson fell by your hands, my endeavors were
successfully exerted in preventing any attempt
to pursue you till you were safe beyond their
reach, and as the event was one of no uncom-
mon occurrence, it soon ceased to be subject
Of remark, and Mary fattered herself that soon
you would be able to return to this place, and
visit your friends in safety In the meantime
no information whatever was received OF the
Speedwell, and we began to fear that she naa
persisted at sea, and all on boaad had been lost
It was not until after several months OF painful
suspense, that the account Of the execution OF
the pirates reached us in the papers rom Ja- /
maica In their confession, the capture OF the /
Speedwell and the murder Of all her crew, occu-
MED = nromnent place and accounted with aw-
fnl certainty for your long silence. /"
| here interrupted Mr.. Mornton with short
account Of. the loss of the SpeedweI, the man
ner in which / was preserved from death, my
residence on the island, and my escape to Ha- |
wanna. After had closed, he proceeded.
TcoScIrDED NEXT WEEK.