Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-05-19

to repeat:
81 love YOU"
A bright smile illumined the features
Of Fulmen.
s'My poor friend," she said, II would
gladly believe you; but if your love
would end my suferings, it must be so
profound, SO ardent, that it can conquer
even the desire to live. A tomb with
me must have attractions for you.-
And you are but twenty-five, Ralph
At your age life is sweet
The Viscount shook his head.
'To live without you is death, to be
united to you, even in the tomb, would
be life.''
''Take care my friend.''
"Of what, dear Fulmen?" exclaimed
Ralph, over whom the smile Of the
young girl seemed to exercise an over
powering fascination.
<'Do you know" said she, "that if
you utter such wish, God may hear
your prayer?''
"Ah if He would, an eternity by
your side would be infinite happiness" "
"Ralph, my friend," interrupted Full
men, while smile Of celestial joy shone
in her face, stake care; you will die if
you love me-"
II wish to die"
But you are betrothed to my sister.
An exclamation Of anger escaped
him.
II hate her." he said vehemently.
"Why %
"Because she is alive, while you are
dead. What has she done that she
should enjoy the light Of the sun, the
perfume of flowers, the melody Of birds?
Was she any younger, or more beauti,
ful ?"
"Ralph, you are unjust. My sister
had no control over her own destiny,
orsover mine"
"You are right, perhaps; but I swea,
to you [ will never marry Hermine.
wish to be yours and only yours forev.
er.''
"You are mad, my friend; I cannot
accept happiness at such sacrifce.''
She rose slowly.
"Adieu, Ralph,'' she said, "marry
Hermine, and pray for me-"
"Fulmen Fulmen - exclaimed
Ralph, falling on his knees al her feet
s'Do not abandon mel love you.o
"But your love is death.''
'|It is happiness. 1t is life'
His tone was SO earnest, so touching.
that the young girl hesitated.
''Let me live eternally with you." he
persisted.
'Listen, my friend,' she said at
length, as if she could no longer resist
his entreaties, Gin this casket," point
ing to a richly carved box which stood
upon the table, s'there is phial con,
tanning a dark liquid.'
"And this liquid ?"
@Is DEATH"
"It is happiness" exclaimed Ralph:
seizing the casket.
Fulmen stopped him by gesture.
FNot yet" she said, s'by-and- -by-at
midnight-but first reflect"
Immediately the candles were extin
guished, and he found himself in com
plete darkness.
Cali this is folly. I am twenty-five
years old, an officer in the Kings ser
vice, and am about to marry q young
girl, blonde as a Medonna, fair as q Ill
ly, who will bring me an income Of 6
hundred thousand livers. I have only
TO be quiet and let things take THEN
course"
After which he would have slep
quietly, and dreamed no more Of Ful
men. But Ralph was a Scotchman
with an imagination as susceptible 0.
exaltation as most of his countrymen O
the land of mountain and mist. A
soon as the phantom vanished, he re
lighted the candle by the aid Of a hal
e1tinguished frebrand, and opening the
casket took out the phial.
"FulInen! Fulmen! wait for me
an comingr' he murmured, and sWal
lowed the contents at draught.
For a moment he experienced {
strange and inexplicable sensation; {
coldness in the chest, heat in tht
head; then his eyes became heavy
his limbs trembled; an extreme Ian
guor crept over him, and he sank upo1
the floor, still murmuring family:
"Fulnen, wait for mel love you.
When Ralph swallowed the content
Of the bottle he expected to awake il
the other world. In this be was mista
ken. The phial contained only mar
cotic, and he was very much astonish
ed on opening his eyes, to find himsel
IN bed, and to see the sun shining thro
the curtained windows. 4 woman sa
by the bedside. It was Fulmen! bu
no longer the pale sad Fulmen, witt
livid lips and form enveloped IN wind
ing sheet; but Fulmen, fresh, radiant
joyous, in the same costume that sh'
wore at the fancy ball.