Newbern weekly progress., 1862-05-03


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lamp near by revealed to Imogene q
gentleman who was regarding her with
an earnest, scrutinizing gaze. Too
well she remembered that never to be
forgotten face, seen last by her fathers
death bed-that of Roscoe Marchmont!
Ayerting her face she hurriedly passed
on and entered her carriage
Victor had also noticed the stranger s
gaze, and Imogene's evident agitati on.
For the fret time doubt stole into his
heart his warm nature was chilled by
the rapid change of Imogene's manner ;
dark thoughts swept through his mind
and he leaned back in the farther end
of the carriage. silent and constrained.
As he handed Inogene out, she said
gently.
s..Come- 20 ne to-norrow,dear=v viic-
tor, at ten / have something l wish
to say TO you
+ Up the wide staircases of the sombre.
gloomy palaSzi, 1n,ogene glided, and
straightWay sought her mothers pres
ence. and walking up to her, said, quiz
city
''He has come, mother-he has come
at last /!
Mrs. Sumner looked at the brilliant
eyes and scarlet cheeks of her daughter
with astonlshment.
"Who has come, Imogene. I do not
understand"
"Colonel Marchmont has come for
his bride and I-oh, cannot, cannot
meet him love anothor-I am al
ready the promised wife of one who is
dearer to me than life -
"Imogene, my child. you distress me !
70 whom have you pledged yoursef7
Who could have demanded a promise
from You, knowing that you were al
ready pltghted to another p
Ito Victor, mother; but he was,
still is. ignorant of this miserable en-
gagement."
Mrs. Sumner sighed.
"And you are sure, lmogene, that you
love tins Young man-Victor
Love him-7%oye Victor! Yes, moth
er. dearly-dearly p and Imogene hid
hid her blushing face on her mothers
shoulder.
'He has many noble qualities l
know of no one to whom | would soon-
sr entrust my child. He is not rich,
,hink ?''
mo, he has nothing beyond his pro.
ession; but IL am wealthy, l have
enough for bosh-p <=.,.,...sz,... /
II viii think Of this, and talk with
Colonel Marchmont on the subject
Leave me now, Iinogene. | am greatly
,1tigued, and need rest. am too wea.
y scarcely to think. ...s.
"Forg We me, have been selfish and
orgetful - and with light kiss. Imo-
zone left her mother and sought her
,Wn apartment.
She Was too excited to slumher, and
seating hersellby the window. she gazed
>ut upon the now quiet city. CaPito-
inc hill-that high place, that rock of
,race her conquerlng heroes, was bathed
II sllvery light the soft starlight float
ID on the river and trembied through
he dark ruins where once had trod
,arth's proudest princes whose walls
had rung alike with the eloquence of
'rators, statesmen and imperators-but
low forever hushed and voiceless. Rome,
destroyed by quarrels of faction. and in
estine troubles, was Rome no longer,
ave in memory and name! Suddenly
he dark shadow of man falling upon
he pavement, recalled her wondering
houghts he paused opposite the dwell
ng, and gazed earnestly up at the case
nent; the pure moonlight shone full up
IN his broad, white brow, revealing the
eatures Of Victor. Taking a boquet
rom a hower-vase which stood near,
mogene cast it upon the pavement,
hen dropping the snowy curtain, was
oon wrapped in slumber.