The constitutional union., 1861-02-22
The Constitution, the the Enforcement of the
,, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY g, 1861.
burning cheeks of the patient. However, he

| do much for her, he sad, gravely shaking his head, as Aida and her father followed hin from the room.
 Deep anxiety was depicted on the face O. Mir. Dunmore as he listened for he had loved the orphan Lillian as she were his own, evel since his dying sister had entreated him to bt father to her only child.
 And faithfully had he fulfilled his promise and Lillian had repaid him all the love anc gratitude which was in her gentle nature Ht had watched with delight the growing int macy between Lillian and Claude, little dream ing of its effects upon Aida.
 Three days have passed away. The room where Lillian lies is darkened. It is the crisis of the fever, and all is silent in the stately mansion. Who shall know the burning thoughts that pass in Alda's mind /? No one can read them; no one can look into the SC cret depths of her heart, and see its stain ot murder
 The crisis is past and in the splendid cofir IS laid the beautiful corpse, ready to be borne to the silent tomb, for the form of sweet Lil lian Is clad in the habiliments of the grave.
 Claude was detained longer than expected and arrived at home the day after Lillian died.
 "Now will hasten to my Lillian, he said as he sprang lightly from the cars. But hi; attention was arrested by two gentlemen who were conversing.
 Shall you attend the funeral to-morrow?' said one
 "Who is dead ?" said the other.
 "Why, Lillian Glen, the niece of -"
 He did not finish, there was heavy fall on the pavement beside them, and Claude Vim cent was borne into the nearest house, insen- sible.
 "This way, sir" said the servant, as he ushered Claude into the darkened room where his Lillian lay. His proud form staggered as he approached the coffin. With trembling hands he drew the cloth from her face.
 "Oh, God" he gasped, "can this be death 7"
 Her lips were parted as if smiling, and the tiny lashes seemed trembling as they rested on the ivory cheek.
 "No, no, she is not deadw he cried in an- guish. q cannot-will not-give her up"
 But why that start? He surely felt her
 
 He presses his hand upon her heart; there was a faint beating.
 "She is not dead She breathes-she lives r he almost shrieked.
 Aida who had just entered the room, stood colorless and immovable as marble; but Claude's cry rang through the mansion, and others came, bringing restoratlves to call hel back to life. At last faint color tinged hel cheek and lip. The large violet eyes unclosed and met the dark ones bending over her SC earnestly.
 Merrily, merrily, pealed out the silvertoned chapel bells. Soft, calm and holy foated the dim silver light within. The moonbeams gleaming throuh the window rested like s enldon halo unnn, the head of the fair young bride whose tiny hand rests cOnhdlngly Tn tha of the proud man at her side She Is pale and delicate yet, but the love-lit eyes grow brightly and her flushed cheeks wear the hue of the roses which strew the altar. Claude too, shows how much, how very much, he ha: suffered, but in deep joy all Is forgotten now The few gusts look on in silent admiration Aida Is not there. It is whispered that the insane light gleams from her eyes. Aida Is ; maniac The wedding ring already sparkle. on the slender finger of Lillian, and the white haired minister has just raised his hands topro nounce the final benefction, when, with a cry Aida rushed toward the altar, and with a golC stiletto aimed blow at the heart of the bride but strong arm warded off the blow, ant with a frenzied cry, Aida fled from the chapel far, far away from her pursuers she bounded like the wind; then suddenly pausing on th' brink of the dark river, her long hair hoateC on the breeze, and turning her gleaming eyes while wild laugh resounded through tn, air, she sprang into the dark waters; but daring hand caught the light dress, and drev her from her watery grave. Her black hai fell dripping over her neck and shoulders while triumphant smile seemed to hang upol her lips. The moon drew behind cloud casting sadder shade upon the face of tn corpse and the dark forms bending over her