Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-02-20

fall.
No. she repeated in a half suffocated
voice. you see it cannot be. shall suf-
fer always
And she fed. while Ralph was so over
powered that he could not speak or move.
The candles went out suddenly; silence
reignel again in his chamber; the phantom
had vanished
The next day dawned bright and beau
tiful. The Baron de Roche Noire. who
did not appear to notice the pallor and ab-
straction OF the guest. proposed hunt
The day was spent in the open air: and if.
amid the excitement Of the chase. the Earl
thought Of the occurrences of the last night.
they seemed to him only as bewiidering
dream. But with the return Of darkness.
and especially at the sight of the picture.
the apparition again seemed to him real
ity. and he determined to ascertain the
truth. Pleading headache. he retired t.
his room. and. cxtinguishing the candles.
he called softly: "Fulmen! Fulmen. -
There was no answer.
Again he called-"Fulmcn love you.
though dead"
Immediately the candles were relighted.
and Fulmen again appeared. She threw
off her winding sheet and seated herself in
. chair by his side Her face had the
cadaverous paleness Of the tomb: her eyes
were sad; her steps slow and painful. yet
her exquisite beauty exerted the same fas-
c'nation over him as when sparkling with
fire and vivacity.
"Fulmen. / love you'll" lie repeated.
gazing at her with admiration.
yet if my hand should touch yours.
she replied. with sad smile. "you would
utter cry, as yoa did last night. The
dead are always COLL"
"Give mo your hand and you will see.
said Ralph. extending resolutely his own.
She took it. and again there came over him
the same terrible sensation as before; but
he had self-control enough to conquer it.
and again to repeat, II love you!"
A bright smile illumined the features OF
Fulmen.
MY poor FRIEND" she said. Il would
gladly believe you; but il your love would
end my sufferings. it must be SO profound,
so ardent that it can conquer even the de-
sire TO live. A tomb with me must have
attractions for you. and you are but TWEEN
ty-6ve. Ralph. At your age life is sweet.
The Earl shook his head.
ITO live without you is death; to be
united to you, even in the tomb. would be
l.fe."
take care my friend"
"Of what. dear Fulmen?" exclaimed
Ralph. over whom the smile Of the young
girl seemed to exercise an overpowering
fascination.
"Do ron know" she said, "that il you
utter such a wish. God may hear your
prayer?"
"Ah. if he would! An eternity by your
side would be infinite happiness"
Ralph. my friend" interrupted Full
men. while smile of celestial Joy shone
in her face. "take care; you will die if you
love me-"
Il wish to die"
"But you are betrothed to my sister,"
An exclamation of anger escaped him.
Il hate her," be said vehemently.
"Why?"
Because she is alive while you are dead
What has she done that she should enjoy
the light of the sun. the perfume of flow
ers. the melody of birds? Was she any
younger or more beautifully"
Ralph. you are unjust. My sister had
no control over her destiny or NINE"
"You are right. perhaps; but swear 10
You that will never marry Herminie. l
wish to be yours, and only yours. forever"
"You are mad, my friend; cannot ac-
cept happiness at such a sacrifice"
She rose slowly.
"Adieu. Ralph" she said. Marry
Herminie. and pray for me-"
"Fulmen. Fulmen!'' exclaimed Ralph.
falling on his knees at her feet. "Do not
abandoz mel love you!''
"But your love is DEATH"
at is happiness--it is life."
His tone was so earnest, so touching.
that the young gil hesitated.
Let mo live eternally with you." he
persisted.
Listen. my friend" she said at length.
as If she could no longer resist his entreat
les. ''In this casket." pointing to rich
ly carved box which stood on the table.
There is vial containing q dark liquid"
"And this liquid?"
els DEATH
at is happiness" exclaimed Ralph.
seizing the casket.
Fulmen stopped him by gesture.
mot yet." she said: "by and by-at
midnight-but frst-rehect.
Immediately the candles were extin-
guished. and he found himself in complete
darkness. ~
IF Earl Ralph had been Frenchman.
as soon IS Fulmcn disappeared. he would
have opened the window and let the cool
night air play upon his brow. Then. the
fever fit being over. he would have said to
himself. ''All this is folly. / am twenty
FIVE years old. an officer in the Kings SER
vice. and am about to marry young girl.
blonde as Madonna. fair as lilly. who
will bring me an income Of hundred
thousand livres. have only to be quiet.
and let things take their course"
After which he would have slept quiet
ly. and dreamed no more of Fulmen. Bat
Ralph was 6cotchman. with an imagina.
ton as susceptible Of exaltation as most of
his countrymen Of the land of mountain
and mist. As soon as the phantom van
ished. he relighted the candle by the aid of