Newbern weekly progress., 1862-04-26

gotten hair Of raven blackness, curl
ing In close, crisp rings q black, CLOS
sy beard concealed the lower pant of
his face, and when he smiled there
broke over it light as rare as It was
beautiful. His was beauty which
reminded one Of Lucifer, and the arch
tiend himself was not more demoniac
in nature than was the subtle, design
ing spirit of Roscoe Marchmont.
For time neither spoke; and then
Imogene said, shortly:
"God forgive me, Roscoe March
mont, but am almost tempted to say
l hate yeu!. You possess, indeed, the
power to make me .your wife, but you
will wed one who entertains for you
only scorn and loathing; nay, more,
one whose very heart and soul is
another's. Now marry me if yon
will"
Her companion confronted her with
eager, blazing eyes a reddish tinge
shot into their dusky depths, and he
looked like tiger about to spring
upon his prey.
1mogene Sumner, not to save your
life or my own will | relinquish you |!
l have now double wish to bind You
to me. The day shall yet come when
you will rue these naughty words !;
when you wilIsue at my feet for one
smile; when the title of wife will be
the dearest to which your proud heart
can aspire. Alden, 1mogene! for one
brief hour, adieu!"
And turning away, Colonel March
mont left the stricken girl pallid and
motionless as statue
Floating up the staircase came the
sounds of revelry and mirth carriage
after carriage rolled up to the man
sion, deposited its fair burden, then
drove away to give place to others.
Upon the strained ears of the madden
ed girl fell the voluble chatter of gay,
voices warning her that the hour was
approaching when her marriage was
to be consummated. And such a
marriage! Why did not the earth,
the skies, the very sunshine, cry out
against the shameful mockery2 But
no, the soft azure of the summer sky
was never more serene, the flower
scented air never more genial, the
sunshine never SO bright and golden.
Ana the day which rose SO sweet, so
calm and holy, SO filled, SO perneated
with Gods gifts, would sink for her in
clouds Of everlasting gloom and black
ness.
Colonel Marchmont's wife never!
she would fly, no matter where, even
to the uttermost parts Of the earth, !"
SO that she only escaped his hated pre-
sence and Selling mantle, she threw
it over her dress and approached a
door which led by private staircase
to the garden. Suddenly she stopped
and sank down, pale and trembling !:
"My poor. poor mother! l cannot
leave thee thus! No-I will remain,
consummatc this marriage, and then
let Fate do herfworst-iit can have no
greater evil in store!" And rising,
She calmly smoothed the disordered
curls of silky hair, and with steady
hand adjusted the bridal veil with its
fragrant orange blossoms.
As she did SO, lady with an atten-
uated frame and feeble step entered
the apartment and sank languidly
down upon chair.
"My child, my Imogene! This is
too much for you " she said. gazing
sadly upon 1mogenc's pale cheeks.
''It were far better for me to have
gone ont houseless, penniless, and a
beggar, than to purchase few years,
at the most, of luxury and ease at the
expense of your lifelong happiness F."
and, as she spoke, large tears forced
themselves through the slender fingers
which yelled her dark, hollow eyes.
The evident anguish OF her mothers
tone lacerated the heart Of the un-
happy girl, and the sight of her wan
face decided her at once. With an
assumption of gayety she forced a
smile, heart-breaking for Its nlockery,
| and answered, calmly:
"Nay, mother, it must be !! l think
Colonel Marchnont loves me, and
there is nothing for me to do but to
fulfil the promise which | SO fooIishly,
childiehly gave. Indeed, Roscoe is
not so veTy disagreeable, dear mother!'
"Then you do not positively dislike
him, my childs Perhaps you may in
time learn to love him. If | were
only assured of that. Oh! Imogene!
my child! your earthly happiness is
next my heart;" and, with a sigh, the
mother dropped her face upon hel
hands. Her clear penetration could
not be deceived, she felt the weight Of
misery which lmogenc for her, and
her alone, was endeavoring to bear
heroically. Folding her arms around
Imogene, she drew her towards her.
Aud Victor, my daughtera"
Never mention that name again
mother. have buried it deep, deep
in my heart. Name him not, if you