The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-05-18


oLbe last night, they seemed to him only as
Es1ildermg dream. But with the return OF
drkeess, and especially at the sight of the pic
are, the .apparation again seemed to him
raiity, and he determined to ascertain the
tssa. Pleading headache, be retired TO his
ION, and extinguishing the candles, he called
shly
aFumen Fulmen % There was no answer.
lgain be called
aFulmen love you though dead"
Immediately the candles were re-lighted, and
hlmen again appeared. She threw off her
tinding sheet and seated herself in chair by
lis side. Her face had the cadaverous palenrss
tthe tomb her eye was sad her step slow
I'D painful yet her exquisite beauty ezerted
be same fascination over Ralph as when spark
ins with life and vivacity.
esFulmen, love you ~ he repeated, gazing
al her with admiration.
ssYe if my hand should touch yours" she
replied with sad smile, "you would utter
CRY as you did last night the dead are always
cold"
ac1ive me your hand, and you will see, ,''said
Ralph, extending resolutely his own. She took
it. and again there came over HIM the same
terrible sensation as before out he had SELF
control enough to conquer, and again TO re-
peat
81 love you :"
A bright smile Illuminated the face of Full
mfn.
aMy poor friend," she said, 81 would gladly
believe you, but if your love would end my sut-
Ierings, it must be SO profound, so ardent, that
it eau conquer even the desire to live. A tomb
with ne must have attractions. for you. And
YOU are bat twenty-five, Ralph. at your age lite
is sweet"
TIE viscount shook his head.
ssTo hve without you is death to be united
TO you even IN the tomb, would be lite."
stake care my friend"
"Of what, dear Fulmen % exclaimed Ralph,
oyer whom the smile OF the young girl seemed
seDo you know" she said, ''that if you utter
such wish, God may hear your prayer 2"
"Ah, if he would An eternity by your
side would be infinite happiness"
"Ralph, my friend" interrupted Fulmen,
while smile of celestial JOY shohe in her face
"take care you will die you love me-
81 wish TO die"
.sBut you are betrotbed to my sister"
An exclamation of anger escaped him.
,sI hate her - said he, yehemently.
"Why %
sBecause she is alive, while you are dead.
What has shc done that she should enjoy the
light of the sun, the perfume Of flowers, the
melody of birds? Was she any younger or
more beautiful -
"RaIph, you are unjust. My sister has no
control over her destiny or nine"
sYou are right, perhaps but I swear to you
that will never marry Hermine, 1 wish 10
be yours, and only yours, forever
aYou are mad, my friend; I cannot accept
happiness at such a sacrifice"
She rose slowly.
"Adieu, Ralph" she said. ''Marry Hermine
and pray for ne"
"Fnlmen Fulmen !" exclaimed Ralph, fall
ing on his knees at her feet, DO not abandon
mel love YOU !"
"But your love is death"
olt is happiness. Ii IS HE"
sEIis tone was so earnest, so touching that the
young girl hesitated.
"Let me live eternally with you," he persist
ed.
sListen, my friend, she sald at length, as if
she could no longer resist his entreaties, ''in
this casket," pointing to richly carved box
which stood upon the table, "there is phial
containing dark liquid
'eAnd this liquid %
s'Is death 10
oTt is happiness" exclaimed Ralph, seizing
the casket.
Fulmen stopped him by gesture.
s'Not yet" she SAID ''by-and-by-at mid
night-but first reflect !"
Immediately the candles were extinguished,
and he found himself in complete darkness.
If Viscount Ralph had been Frenchman,
as soon as FuImen disappeared, be would have
opened the window, ahd LET the cool night air
play upon his brow. Then, the fever fit being
over, he would have said to himself;
GAIL this is folly. I am twenty-five years
old, an officer in the kings service, and am a.
bout to marry young girl, blond as Madon-
ma, fair as lily, who will bring me an income
of hundred thousand livres. have only to
be quiet, and let things take their course,