The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-12-04

art" he almost acquired perfection as a

art" he almost acquired perfection as ;
disciple of Raphael. = '.@" -
One golden evening while catching thu
rich ii, Is of the setting sun and transferring
them to his canvass, Marina came upon thu
rapt study of the, youth, and for n moment
stood breathless spectator of his inspira'
ton. Bending over his canvass, and touch
ing here and there its increasing beautie:
with complete effect, his eye flashing with
the flame Of genius, he seemed to her young
mind the creator of the art of which he was
but an ambitious votnry. .f.
The incident, trifing in itself, produced
lasting effect upon tae future OF thest
warm and genial natures. Like two gentle
streams tending toward the sea, their happy
lives had flowed hitherto, to the music oil
their own murmurings; and now that they
had met and blended, the future promised
but an increase Of joy.
The Earl soon perceived the attachment
of the young people and fostered, rather
than frowned upon, their love. He also
extended to Claude cordial invitation
to accompany them on their return, nnG
this to Marina was the climax of happi.
ness.
the demesne of the Earl's estate, whert
Claude made many studies of the surro unding
scenery.
At the extreme end of the park stood the
remains of an old archway, sculptured with
curious Egyptian characters, and leading
through subterranean passage to the old
castle. The lovers, during one of theil
rambles, had ascended the turrets of the
ruin to which their passage led, and the
danger attending the exploit only added to
its zest. From the turret-top they viewed
the cleaning band of the ocean lying in
placid calm and rejecting the brightness OF
the SKY above.
They promised many visits to this dan.
gerous place, but the approach of their
nuptals occupied their attention Marina's
in visiting and Claudc's in superintending
the clearance of the grounds surrounding
the old castle, and the erection of tents for
Il tete to be given in honor Of their mar
riaye.
Twas during this that the story of the
ghost first reached the ear Of the youth, and
coming from an old man, who had spent his
life in the service Of the former and present
Earl, it was listened to with a degree Of
credence.
The old man stood with bare head leaning
against noddlng beech and repeated, by
Claude's request, the mystery. He said
that of late years, upon the return Of the
Earl from his travels, white figure, that
Of woman draped in long, flowing robes
was to be seen, during the full of the moon,
upon the turrets Of the old castle, making
her circuit several times and disappearing.
The story, thus simply and earnestly told,
was listened to rs attentively by the young
lover, who, Of romantic disposition, re-
solved to visit the ruin and solve the mys-
terry.
The absence of the fair Marina favored his
design, for during her presence his time was
devoted to her.
Night came, and the moon shone forth in
silvery splendor, and the gray ruin stood
out boldly against the blue sky, but no
apparition met the sight Of the lonely
watcher. Several nights passed thus, nor
did the vigilance of the youth wane until
the cock k-crow chased away the nocturnal
shadows, and golden streaks in the orient
heralded the approach of day.
Wcarlcd of his task the lover flew to the
arms Of his betrothed, who had now returned,
and in the enjoyment Of this reality forgot
the shadow.
The impressiveness Of the old mans man
ner ut the recital of the mystery had, how
ever, deeply affected the mind Of the youth,
and an ;ndescrbable feeling had taken hold
Of him which he could not shake off, but
this had been, in IL great measure, removed
after his unsuccessful attempt to see the
ghost.
On the eve Of their nupt.als, the lovers
had strolled further into the park than
usual. Time, everything, was forgotten,
or swallowed up in the sea of bliss upon
whose placid bosom the buoyAnt bark Of
their lives rode SO lightly. Such sweet joys
as only lovers know were theirs. She
would llanS upon him and, gazing into his
face, forgot all else in the world beSides.-
She had never appeared so beautiful! to him
before, there was a subdued radiance in her
dark eyes. and as she turned her glance
aside and fixed it upon the fuII-orbed moon,
her fine features expressive of faith and
love. she seemed one of the angelic sister
hood, to whose abode she looked.
Might she not be taken from him? Could
fate be SO unkind: But rs he claspcd her
again and again to his heart, Hope whisp-
cred, No! only few hours and the
morrow would have come, and with many
mumurcd VOWS the parting kiss was given
for the last time, and Marina trpped lightly
up the marble steps of her fathers mansion,
and the door conceal her from her lovers s
sight.
Claude turned sadly from the spot and sat
down in the lawn beside Il marble Fountain;
whose Sjlvcry jets danced to their own music.
\ lUnguor stole upon his senses, and he fell
into Il semi i-somnolcnt state in which visions
Of the happy past foatcd airily before his
cntrancrd gaze. Anon he discovered his
atfanccd in imminent danger and rushed to
save her, but ere his helping hand reached
her, the dclusion faded into another more
pleasing than its predecessor was frightful.
From their first meeting down to the mo-
ment of their parting, did the time of their
acquaintance glide in panoramic presentment
before his dreaming sense. And in his
dream, rs it did in reality, stood the old
rum within his view silvcred by the full
moons cloudcss light, but not as it had
always seemed, for 10 . upon the turret, and
making its dizzy circuit, was a white figure,
that of woman drapcd in long and flowing
robes.
An cxprcssiblc terror seized the youth
which broke the spell Of sleep, and as he
sprang TO his feet a shrek of despair cleft
the silence of the night; for from the fated
tower fell the white figure and dashed upon
the ruins beneath.
a few seconds and the youth stood over
the PROSTATE form, when gently raising it
in his arms, horror smote his heart and his
brain rcelcd with the intenscst agony :;
for in the suddenly changed and blood
stained features he recognized the idol of
his soul-his beloved Marina, the purple
tide life oozins from her palId lips, and
staining her alabaster skin.
The whole truth flashed upon the mind
Of the lover in an instant.
The fair Marina was somnambuist and
in that state had mounted the dangerous
heights of the ruined castle, and to the
"wondering up-turned gaze of the simple
people, had seemed the ghost upon the
turret.
%" \ thin old man with a rag bag in
his hand, was picking up large number Of
small pieces Of whalebono which lay on
the street. The deposit was of such a sing
u(ar nature, that we asked the quaint look
ing gatherer how he supposed they came
there?