Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-07-30

me; it's little rsilvery fountain cbubbling
and breaking into white goblets like hoar
frost. Here ] leaned by huge and ho-
AIRY elm. and closed my eyes as the wild
magic breathing OF flute. skillfully
touched. greeted my ear; think that the
most blessed hour of my existence. for
mingling With that plaintive melody.
came bright, gentle face. sparkling
eyes, and cheeks lst crimsoned enough
to resemble two pule rose leaves. fusb-
ing the purest snow. Oh. how l loved
that sweet May Kendall ] love would
that could think Of some word that
would express more sdorstion; forgetting
God. idolized her. and. egotist that l
was, fancied my unspoken passion was
returned. But will not lnger; in these
few moments tha, was pouring my very
soul into the heart that iancied. as
youth will sometimes. was a kind OF spi-
ritual presence ever beside me.
My reverie was broken by the approach
Of stranger, and light. silyery laugh
shut olt the music OF the flute. for it was
SO like Mays; SO ringing. joyous. Pres
emily. as the fne manly form drew near.
er, recognized the features Of one who
had been my college male Two years ago:
his name was trembling on my lips when
a sight arrested my attention that chilled
my blood. and my teeth chartered with a
sudden freezing fear. The two had come
almost beside me. aud there stopped.
charmed with the little sylvan spot. The
lady held her hat by the strings. one arm
confidently through that Of her compan.
ion, and when she turned her radiant
face around toward me-who was con
cealed in the shadow recognized. in
the full food of the moonlight. May Ken.
dali. do not like. even at this late day,
to review the feelings that shook my
frame when heard them murmur such
such tender tones; deathly faintuess
came over me. as gathered from their
own lips the knowledge that they we're
betrothed. and when that passed away.
y fierce revenge sent the blood boiling
through my veins; once / would have
Ieaped upon him and demanded my May.
without whom my lie would be curse.
aud the world dread blank. But then
by what right could call her mine?
True. she had been most kind TO me. but
never more than her maidenly modesty
might we'll beseem her conduct. Now
new-God forgive me for the rage that
tuggsd at my heartstrings. as III ught
it-why she had talked OF Frederick; oh.
fool that l was, not to comprehend; she
smiled on me because l Was his friend.
because had eyer some sweet recollec.
ton to tell-some comely virtue to
praise; and blinded by my ever blind.
ness. if l may SO speak, 1 fancied she
loved me.
How did command myself enough
still to stand motionless even till learn
ed the day aud hour when the wedding
was to take place? for every nerve in my
body seemed changed to an instrument
Of torture. Fortunately they did not
pass me. but retraced their steps, and l,
bending low with an almost breaking
heart. slowly left the graveyard. and re.
turned toward home, too wretched to tell
the crushing weight Of my disappoint>
ment. III next day, before sunrise, I
WAS on my may TO the neighboring city.
| was in a strange tumult. that knnw
not but it would prove fatal to me-; / was
ready almost Tor any desperate deed. and
more chan once-I shudder when think
oil it-contemp!ste selt>destruclion. but
called philosophy. nav, something high.
er. hulier 10 my aid-reIigion, and 10
time brcaue soothed, il May was irrevo-
cab!y married.
Two months passed; 1 deemed mself
sufficiently fortified by good resolutions
to return home to my chosen place of
residence: it was high moon when l
drove up to the main street; carriage
dashed by me. light vehicle; in another
moment had turned and Frederick was
abreast. l involuntarily drew my reins:
his face denoted suffering.
"For Gods sake, Doctor Lane, nv
early friend. do not stop until you reach
Mrs. Keudall's; my May lies there
sIck-dying." he gasped; how ashy pale
he was. My face was blanched; L felt a
strange kind Of tremor; we dashed along.
neither speaking. and in fifteen minutes /
stood by the couch Of the young bride.
That was an awful hour thus spent; at its
close l pressed down her white eyelids
over her dull glazed eyes; ah. heavenl
thought 1-how can such beauty be
dead? And still. for all. there was
feeling Of triumph 10 my heart-untiI l
beheld the awful grief OF the husband,
saw the big drops bead his broad white
rehead; almost forced him from tho in
animated body. that he would hold clasp
ed to his bosom. kissing the white lips,
the whiter cheeks. even the golden locks
that lay damp and uucurled over her
shoulders.
And when left the house of mourn
ing. was i. not strange the csImness
felt settled down over my spirit? Could
this thought. even 10 its fsintest trscery,
swell through my mind at such time
she is not mine, neither is she his. am