Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-05-08

should die suddenly; but we we're none the
less shocked by, and unprepared for it, when
it came
1t was in these first days OF our grief for
his loss. and our own orphanagc, that the
blasting knowledge of Phillips love for Edith
was Tevealved to me. He was lind and con-
siderate to just what brother might
have been-but TO her, SO tender, SO gentle,
SO loving! There was loye-in his eyes de-
votion in every word and tone he made no
secretaf it, but was proud that all should
see and know his all absorbing attachment
for his beautiful Edith. | saw 1T, and was
maddened, furious jealousy took possession
of me, and burnt up and xitherei every ves-
tlge OF goodness in my nature. They knew
it all--they could not help it; 70. I was like
a mocIing fiend 70 my gentle sister-gentle
always, though often saw her ewes fill sxilh,.
isa's isss Sor53 an9 her = N
1t must have been egfeat trlal to Philip
to have seen her suffer so from my cruel
treatment, and yet be in manner com
PEELED to seem unmindtul 1t would have
grieved her still more, had he chided me for
my unklndness to her, besides, he could not
speak harshly to one who had just lost her
Q lly protector.
Il almost believe that was insane, and
that ne thought too. How else could | have
plotted, and carried out such an evil deed
One eVenlng-one fatal evening" missed
Phlllp and Edith from the drawing-room
and thinking that they might be in the gar
den, followed them there found them Sit
! ting within a little inclosure of dense shrub
berry and though | could not see them, vet
crept so near as to hear even their lowest
tones with perfect distinctness. Edith was
weeping, Philip was urging Der by every pos
! sibie nducement to consent to an immediate
! private marriage, when he should have the
/ light to protect and shield her from her pres
/ cnt annoeances. He made illusions to my
conduct-for he could not avoid If, but in the
most delicate manner possible and begged
that, IN order to save thvu,auful scenes that
might occur. she won,x sstAs4--rrt-f
be married quIte pT1yare17, having only the
necessary number of witnesses in the church
where my father had otfcated while living
' Filth at length gave reluctant assent,
which drew forth such expressions of love
and gratitude from Philip as nearly drove
me frantic with rage aud despair. 1t was
settled that the ceremony was to take place
on some evening of that week. Philip was to
make the necessary arrangements, and so
quietly, that no suspicious should arise in the
mind of any and was to remain in igno-
rance until all was over.
Il remained there until all was settled, and
then rushed back tony chamber. locked nv
sell IA. and spent the whole night walking
The room, wringingmy hands, and tearing nv
hair, with the utter rage and despair of mad
dened woman
wv hen morning came, left the house, and
spent the day in the dense woods that grew
but little way beyond it, but toward- even
III do@n Sy my ysi Violent ezertons
Il went to my room, bathed, brushed nv
haT. changed my dress, and descended to the
parlor, where found Philip and Edith already
| at the table Tea passed off silently and
when We arose, Edith and went into the
; draw ing room-where | remained. quite in
the shadow, while Edith passed on to her
chamber Philip soon came in, bent over
me, and whispered: Meet me in the shrub
| berry IN an hour, my friend will await us in
: the chapel aud putting case into nv hands
! saying Wear them for me, love, imprinted
/ fond kiss on my forehead, and hurriedly left
: the room. A new thought seized me and
madly hurried from the room to put it into
: execution.
/ Edith and | had, just previous to my
t fathers Death, prepared some white muslin
r dresses, Tor party which we had in antic-
patton, In one of which, | hurriedly arrayed
5 MYSELF asped the costly .n9s - - PhlIlp's
: intended gift to my sit-mea leslSatld
, arms, placed pure whits Jap6nica on nv
bosom-threw vail of costly lace, that had
r been my mothers, over my head, arranging
the folds In such manner as partly to shade
my face, and proceeded to join him in the
, Shrubbery.
/ 81 found Philip waiting and in my tmic
e manner of receiving his caresses, and the low
i: trembling whisper in which replied to his
eager questions, | must have seemed so much
more ike Edith than like myself, what won
der that he never guessed who it was tina
e lay folded to his bosom ?
e I'VE hurried 10 the chapel it was ditnl
q lighted. The priest was waiting at the alta
3 and in a few moments more, | was the wife :
e Philip Vaughan his unloved unsough
@ wife.
Il think when the words were pronounce,
that made US one, the vail fell from nv men
?. tai vision, and Tor the first time fully re
: allied my folly and my guilt. | rushed ava
If from him IN eager haste, soon as we ha
o left the church, hardly waiting to receive tn
e tirss hiss from my husbands lips-the frs
" kiss, and the last [ stole to nv chambe
= wrapped IN dark cloak, to conceal my brio
Y al dress, reached 1t unobserved. ..anidly n
d samed my deep mourning ga'rTl.gd then s.
down in stony silence awaiting the end.
| I'm few moments heard Philips quic
l. step ascending the STAIRS, and Edith at th;
.e moment coming from her room they met q
/, the landing, opposite my door, which ha
1t been lett slightly ,.ajar. heard Edith say.
a. slight iy-subdued tones:
Y :" have been waiting for you all the La
1t hour i'll the shrubbery, you told me to d.
50 last night, Philip. Why did you not come
7e An exclamation from him, which was al
most shrek of horror and despair, told n
"A that in one instant OF time he had taken
n the dreadful trath.
" ''He burst open the door of my chambe
ne and all that followed seemed likaa minglr
m of waiting, and curses, and repro&eses. I'll
to moment that Edith comprctended the Who'll
Id she fel. like one dead, upon the floor, paraly
n, ed beyond all hope of ecovery
he ''pnilip hung with the most devoted te
- derness over his dying love, pushing II
ed rudely away, almost with curses if but vel
tured to approach the bed on which she la
begging and entreating her for one mo
er word-one more looa !; bat all IN vain 81
in died at midnight: and when forced to belize
IS that her spirit had really passed s<zay. Rh
Ip rushed from the room, and returning vi
n loaded pistol came to the spot where W
~ standing
We lie spoke in SLOW, boarse tones, pointiI
nd with outstretched arm to the poor dead gi
Ter and locking at me, ay, through me, with ey
it that burned to my brain:
rd 8 You have finished your work-yon ha
en plotted and performed it well, and wish y
i've much joy at the completion OF your hell
he designs. But ynu cannot keepme from b,