The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-03-06
Above Story.

/ d Love 6bOTy.
! They plighted their VOWS beside the silver singing
1 fountain-Claude Vincent and Lillian May-with the
dropping foage whispering above their heads and tht
brilliant stars flashing upon them burning light Sit
ting thus in the dm cool beauty that starry eve Claude
Vincent breathed into Lians willing ear the story OF
his love- then bending down TIL his glossy curls swep
her silken tresses he pressed lovers kiss upon her
pure brow.
List" suddenly exclaimed Lillian as the vines
them rlsed and shook loudly.
"A fl-e alarm, dear Lillian" said Claude; sit was
nothing but the wind playing amid the leaves"
Nothing but the wind? Ah! he not the white face
and dark eyes that cleaned moment through the dark
| thick veins and then was gone.
In a splendid apartment Aida Dunmore is rapidly
pacing the oog her rich dress of crimson silk is damp
with the dew of night and tearing the gems from her
breast, she crushed them beneath her feet Her long
black hair falls in dheveled masses her shoulders
Pa a-sionately she muttered to herself:
''Whate for costly gems riches, if dependent
cousin wins from me the only man l can ever ove?'-
And stamping her foot angrily she cries; Nol no. it
shall never be- though have to murderher! and
the words we're hissed from between her pale lips.
Turning she saw herself reflected in large mirror
opposite Could it be possble?-such change in 81
short tmei She went to the window and opened the
shutters The soft evening wind cooled her aching brow
and the calm sky above was smiling upon her. but she
needed it not The murmur Of distant voices came to
her, waited upon The scented breeze 1t was Claude
Vincent taking leave of Lillian.
&" shall be gonea week, and then shall hasten back
to claim my promised bride"
She heard the hall door close and Lillian came lightly
UP the stairs.
How lovely she looked as she entered the roon?-
Even Aida could but acknowledge it. There glis
tened diamonds from amid the snowy folds of her
white silk robe The red that ooped her sleeves,
and the buds that were twined 10 her sunny curs
her only ornaments. BY her side upon marble stand
stood silver goblet and taking it up she drained the
contents Then seating herself upon the Sofa she sat
gazing dreamngly Aida, who still seated ut the win
dow, pretended not to notice her
II will not tell her tonight thought Lillian Musing
thus a drowsiness came over her--a heavy languor
which weighed down her eyelds-and she sank back
iusensibe upon the crimson velvet sofa.
A pang something like regret shot through Aldas
heart and she bent and batbed the blue veined
temples.
But why should pity her?--has she not the
love which would have given all possess for!" she
! murmured.
At last Lillian slowly unclosed her eyes, rveting an
unnatural gaze upon Aida. Her forehead throbbed
with burning fever she delirious and neoheren
words fe from her lips.
All night Aida watched beside her. Morning found
her still there; but Lillian was more quiet now ant
passing her hand over her forehead, Aida murmured-
'sAh. twill be safe 10 call physician now
a physician came; but there was grave look upor
his countenance, he noticed the burning checks o
the patient. However, he gave few directions tc
Aida
'.It is singular case fear We cannot do much fo
her. he said gravely shaking his head Aida and he
father followed him from the room.
Deep anxiety was depicted on the face Of Nr. Dun
more as he listened for he had loved the orphan Lii
Ian as she were his own since hSdying sister haC
cntreated him TO be father TO her child.
Aud faithfully had he fulfilled his promise; and Lillian
had repaid him all tie love and gratitude which il
her gentle nature lie had watched with delight th
growing intimacy between LILLIAN aud Claude, little
> dreaming Of its effect upon Aida.
Three days have passed away. The room where
Lillian lies is drkenel 1t is the crisis of the fever
and all is silent in the stately mansion Who shal
know the burning thoughts that pass in Adas mind?-
No one can read them; one can look into the secre
depths OF her heart and see its stain of murder.
The crisis passedand in the splendid coffin is laid the
beautiful corpse ready to be borne to the silent tomb
for the form of Lillian is clad in the habiliIaent
p of the grave.
= Claude was detained longer than expected, ant
2 arrived home the day after Lillian died.
+ Nov will hasten to my lillian he said, as h
sprang lightly from the cars But his attention wa
; arrested by two gentlemen who were conversing.
: Shall you attend the funeral tomorrow said one
=, 'sWho is dead?" said the other
"Why Lillian Glen, the neice Of
He did not finish there was heavy fall en- the pave
meat beside them aad Claude Vincent was borne int
= the nearest house insensible.
This way i said the servant as he ushered Claud
into the darkened room where his Lillian lay Hi
proud form staggered ne approached Ji!S COuln-
1 With trembling hands he drew the cothro her face
oh God!' he glsped ''can this be death:"
Her lips were parted as if smiling and the tiny lashe
seemed trembling they rested on the ivory cheeks
No, no, she is not deldy" he cried in anguish. :"
cannot, will not, give her up"
his cheek lie bends over her He pressed his hanC
upon her heart-there was faint beating.
.'She is not dead She breathes-she lvesm ht
almost shrieked.
Aida, who had just entered the room, stood color
less and immovable marble; but Caude's cry rang
through the mansion and others came bringing resora
tives to call her back to life At last faint color tngeC
her cheek and lip The large violet eyes unclosed ant
met the dark ones bending over her SO earnestly.
Merrily, merrily, pealed out the sver-toned chape
bells. The moonbeams cleaning through the window
rested like golden halo upon the head OF the tan
Young bride whose tiny hand rests so coufdingy il
that of the proud min at her side. She IS pale ant
delicate yet but the loye ewes grew brightly he
flushed cheeks the hue Of the roses which sTeU
5 the altar Claude, too shows how much, how very
much he has suffered but in deep Joy all IS forgotten
now The few guests look in silent admiration AID;
IS maniac The Hedding ring already sparkles the
slender finger OF Lillian and the white haired ministe
has just raised his hands to pronounce the hRa bene
dctioa when with erv Aida rushed towards the altar
and with gold stelctto aimed blow at the heart o.
the bride; bnt strong warded OFF the blow, anc
with phIenzied cry Aida fed from the ehape far, fa
away from her PurSRer> she bounded like the wind; her
suddenly pausng the brink Of the dark river, hel
long hair foated the breeze, and turning her CLEAN
ing eyes while wild laugh resounded through the air
she spgang into the dark waters but daring hanc
caught the light dress and drew her from her waterl
grave. Her black lair fell dripping over her neck anc
? shoulders while triumphant smile seemed 10 hang
upon her lips The drew behind cloud, casting
sadder shade upon the face of the corpse and the darl
f forms bending over her
) tipr.rr ,,-Tonp aro ur1on silver lake foated az
open boat at eyentde The oarsmen wearied with
mortal care slowly lifted the paddles the Attlt
barque went drifting along. The lights OF many fa
cities gassed themselves in the waters breast but no
for the poor fishermen did the festa notes ring out o.
ninstrels make the night air remulous with melody
They were crossing the blue GAilee" bat only th'
moonbeams lighted their humble dwellings on the othe
shore and the other passenger whose weary eyelid
were now closed in sumber bad net where to lay hi
} head"
But they pass along and the hours by and when
we see them the whole scene is changed The strong
arms shat man the little boat are well nigh broken b,