Southern shield., 1858-03-13
From Knickerbocker Magazine. A TRAGEDY OF THE MANT- NEOTH CAVE.
BY A NEW CONTRIBUTOR.

1
 | For fifteen long years 1 have carried a dark secret buried in my heart, until it has worn away my life; but now that am tot tering on the brink of the grave, am i'm Ipelled to make a confession, which, trady as it is, hope may render more tranquil my last sad hours. The tenacious care with which have ever guarded the knowledge of my crime is no longer necessary, for no in- jury can now be wrought by disclosure which, if earlier made, would have held up my name to eternal infamy as the blackest of my sex, and brought disgrace on one of the proudest families in the land.
 To those who have loved and suffered I commit the story of my wrongs and my re- Venge, trusting that some pity will mingle with their condemnation of the broken hearted women who pens these few lines almost from her death bed
 l was the daughter and only child of a Kentucky planter, and the blood of the South flowed in my veins in an impetuous current that was ever impatient of restraint and violent under control. My kind parents had always been over-indulgent with me. allowing me to follow the guidance of every wayward caprice; the consequence was, that grew up proud, headstrong, and self-will- ed, conceiving myself to be as superior a person as the fattery of the little world in which lived would have me believe. I had never been from home, except for an occa- sional visit to Louisville or Lexington. My ideas of life were therefore as crude and uninformed as possible. I imagined our State the finest country on the globe, and pitied any one who was not born within it's limits. But my greatest pride and glory was in that worlds wonder, the Mammoth Cave. My fathers plantation lay in the picturesque valley under which run its subterranean corridors, and as the entrance was but short distance from our house, it had been so frequently visited by me that l knew every winding of its intricate passages, and often spent whole days in wandering alone through its mysterious vaults. Perhaps some of the most wholesome lessons 1 had ever yet learned were in the wonder and awe and knowledge of my own insignifcance, which l felt in contemplating those sublime arches and mysterious cayerns.
 My education had been conducted by a series of governesses, over each of whom ! had successfully domineered, until reached my seventeenth year, when the last was dis missed. and my father concluded to secure a tutor, under whom my studies might be completed. I had a long vacation but at length a young gentleman was engaged, whose father, Boston merchant, had fail ediust as his son left college, and rendered it (hecessary for him to seek some means of support. 1 was fully prepared to dislike Mr. William Beverleigh. He was a Yankee, and had been brought up to look with con- tempt ont the whole race-a feeling which had been by no means lessened by the few spec imens of it had seen in some petty shop keepers in Louisville and Lexington. Long since have realized the absurditv of this prejudice: but then, young and ignorant as l was, thought 1t at least a misfortune, if not a crime, to be a native of New England. When, therefore, the autumn evening came on when he was to arrive. sat awaiting his coming with feeling of languid curiosity, not doubting should be easily able to van quish him, as l had my meek governesses.- At last we heard the light wagon. which had been sent to meet the stage, drive up to the door, and my father went out to welcome the stranger. In few moments he return ed, followed by my new tutor. I looked up at their entrance, but my glance, which had been one of supercilious indifference, chang ed instantly into one of wonder and admi- ration when it fell on a slender, graceful youth, not more than four years my senior. He had long golden hair and deep blue eyes, and was beautiful exceedingly. Yes since that night 1 have travelled far and seen many different men, of various nations but think now as 1 thought then, that the sun never shone on fairer form and face than William Beverleigh's.
 From +b;S ,,or;oJ I,o o1o o,,,xo,4 = life was changed. Of course did not sup pose could entertain any feeling but dislike toward this Yankee shop-keeper's son. Contempt was impossible, his dignity of manner forbade 1t. Ibegan to try him with the same wilful obstinacy and girlish tricks 1 had found successful in subverting all for mer authority, but I soon discovered that with him such conduct was of no avail. He had gentle calmness of demeanor, against which the impetuosity of my ungoverned temper battled in vain. It was wholly i'm possible to rouse him from his cold reserve. He was as self-possessed on the back of the widest horse in my fathers stables, as seat ed in his easy chair; and among the gay young people who sometimes visited our house, his dignified courtesy won universal respect and esteem. Toward me he was ever amiable and kind, patiently explaining my lessons, until from very shame of my ig- norance, l applied myself as Inever had be- fore, and gradually became a docile and obedient pupil. 1 gave up all my former wild habits, and only entered the Cave once during the whole winter, and then 1t was as his guide, in order that he might see and enjoy it's mighty wonders.
 Thus the weeks passed by like dream, ,and was happier than had ever been before why, did not ask myself. My days were spent in close attention to my books lfelt that was improving. My tutor prais- ed me, and wished for nothing more. But this delightful period of tranquility was abruptly closed, and closed alas forever. One morning, in early summer, MT. Bever- leigh informed us would soon have va cation, as he should be obliged to go to Boston for a month. Going away The thought of separation from him had never occurred to me. I looked vacantly at him until understood fully his meaning, and then rose and hastily left the room. The idea that we must part, even temporarily, was so painful to me, that 1t opened my eyes to the true state of my feelings. loved him !-loved him with my whole heart and soul. He was no longer to me "Yankee;" he was my object, my life, my idol! Overwhelmed with the terrible dis covery, felt that must be alone with 1t. T tbaraforo 1aft hon+ ct