Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-04-21

tone of terror, in which was mingled a sort of
feverish joy.
1t is !" " she said do you remember your
oath! Ihey have told you that am dead"
The teeth of Ralph chattered: but the voice
was so pure, so melOdious, that it aided him to
him.
NO you are not dead, ;" he exclaimed, with
all effort
II have been dead a year" replied Fulmen,
sadly They buried me in the chapel You
can read my epitaph on the marble slab. the
third from the high altar
Ralph could not detach his eyes from this
singular creature, whose marvellous beauty
counteracted in some degree the terror which
the apparition would otherwise have caused.
Alas. resumed the spectre-draping the
shroud about hor form with all the coo3etrv
with which living belle might wrap an opera
cloak around her-'I am dead, really dead, at
seventeen; when life was full of light, and per-
fume, and music; when tears, even, were so
sweet that they resembled smiles; when the
present was so happy that the future was quite
forgotten. And then I loved you. 1 trusted
In your oath; and you did not care for me.
You have come here TO marry my sister,
"Fulmen"' murmured Ralph, who felt a
pang of remorse at his heart. {" have loved
you; L love you still
She shook her head.
The dead are never loved :" she said. SADLY.
uInioieu. lie Ielt LIS blood curdle in
his veins. He remembered his oath Yet Fu,
men did not complain. She did not overwhelm
him with reproaches. She seemed resigned
tie saw her lean her head upon her hand : p
tear shone In her eye, and a shiver passed
through her frame
II am cold, she said, and, rising from the
chair In which she had seated herself, she ap-
proached the hire place, and bent as if to warm
herself by the hal:- :-cxtinguished brands. ssTbe
dead are always cold she murmured
Heavens, exclaimed Ralph, ''you are not
dead, but, dead or living, you are beautiful
more beautiful than any living woman. and I
love you as on the day first saw you.''
The dead are never loved" she repeated,
mournfully.
But you are not dead The limbs of the
dead are rigid; the flesh corrupt; they are in
sensible; they cannot walk; they cannot sneak.
you are not dead-it is impossible -
Il am dead" repeated Fulmen, in a tone of
authority which admitted of no question; ''dead
and yet l suffer-
''YOu suffer- the viscount exclaimed.
eyes: Because died with guilty thought
In my heart. L remember the bali where
met you. 1t was earthly love, not penitence
that engrosSed my last hours. Yet if YOU who
are alive can love me still, God will perhaps
pardon me, and L shall suffer no longer
Il do love you." cried Ralph, gazing at
the young girl so beautiful in her sadness.
were only alive -
pale smile passed over the face of the
phantom. 1t rose and advanced toward him
Ralph Immediately shrunk back at its an
proach.
''You see," she said mourufully, cit is always
so. The living fear the dead
NO, no"' said he, eagerly ashamed of the
momentary terror; ''no, Fulmen, my beloved,
come
She extended her hand, and took that of the
young man. Ralph uttered a cry. His hand
was pressed by the cold, clammy fingers of
corpse. She let his hand fall
mo, she repeated in a half-suff)cated voice
you see it cannot be; L shall suffer always"
And she aed; while Ralph was so over
whelmed that he had no power to speak or move
The candles went out suddenly; silence reigned
again in the chamber; the phantom had van
ished.
The next day dawned bright and beautiful
The Baron de Roche Noire, who did rot appear
to notice the pallor and abstraction of his guest,
proposed hunt. The day was spent in the
open air; and If, amid the excitement of the
chase, the viScount thought of the occurrences
of the last night, they seemed to him only as
bewidering dream. But with the return of
darkness, and especially at the sight of the
picture, the apparition again seemed to him a
reality, and he determined to ascertain the
truth. Pleading a headache, he retired to his
room, and extinguishing the candle, he called
softly:
"Fulmen, Fulmen," There was no an
swer. Again he called:
- Fulmen L love you, though dead"
Immediately the candles were re-lighted, and
Fulmen again appeared. She threw Off her
winding sheet and seated herself in a chair by
his side Her face had the cadaverous paleness
of the tomb; her eye was sad +; her step slow
and painful yet her exquisite beauty excrtcd
the same fascination over Ralph as when spark
ling with life and vivacity.
''Fulmen, | love you," he repeated, gazing
at her with admiration.
Yet if nay hand should touch yours she
replied with sad smile. you would utter a
cry as you did last night; the dead are always
cold"
Give me your hand, and you will see,''
said Ralph, extending resolutely his own. She
same terrible sensation as before; but he had
self-control enough to conquer it, and again to
repeat
Il love you!'
bright smile illumined the features of Full
men.
My poor FRIEND" she said, Il would gladly
believe you; but if your love would end my
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 20 exclaimed Ralph,
over whom the smile of the young girl seemed
to exercise an overpowering fascination.
'DO you know" she said, 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 Fulmen,
while smile of celestial joy shone in her face,
take care; you will die if you love me ~
- | wish to die"
- But you are betrothed to my sister"
An exclamation of anger escaped him.
9 L 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 beautiful ,''
Ralph, you are unjust My sister had no
control over her destiny or mine"
You are right, perhaps; but swear to you
that will never marry Hermine / wish to
be yours, and only yours, forever"
You are mad, my friend; / cannot accept
happiness at such sacrifice"
She rose slowly.