Newbern weekly progress., 1862-05-03


fear and misery, all the time watching
and gloating over the evident distress
Of the halfparalizcd girl.
1megene had entered the parlor one
day, as she thought, unperceived, and
taking seat near the window, sat gaz-
ing dreamily out upon the landscape.
Suddenly she was aware that Colonel
Marchmont was beside ier, and she
sprang from her chair as if about to
leave the room; an icy chilliness stole
over her, and her slight figure trem-
bled perceptibly.
"One moment, Imogene will you
have the kindness to name the day OF
our lnarriagea Shall it be in three
weeksl it is the extent of the time ]
can remain at Beechwood, and as /
have already waited so long for my
bride, you must be aware [ am some
what impatient"
Imogene averted her face, and put
up her small hands with a deprecating
motion.
"Colonel Marehmont, / cannot mar
ry you; do not love you," she falter-
ed, at last.
"Two weeks is too soon2 Let it be
three then three weeks from to-mor
row." he rejoined, moving away.
In the hall he encountered Madge,
who through the halfopened door had
witnessed the interview.
"Checknated, fairly" he observed,
maliciously.
"Fiend monster! you will break
her heart in three months" she res
ponded, angrily.
a "Not SO easily as you imagine; L
trust | may depend upon your congrat-
ulations g"
Madge tossed her heed saucily, and
walked away without vouchsating any
reply.
The preparations for the. wedding
went slowly forward Madge packed
her trunks, and left, abruptly. '.SAe
would not stay and witness deliber-
ate MURDER" she said; and pressing a
kiss npon 1mogene's cold cheek, She
left Beachwood.
And now, after so wide retrospect
ion, let us return to Beechwood on the
morning Of Imogenc's marriage. After
Colonel's Marchmont's interview with
lmogenc, he descended to the library,
and approaching decanter contain
ing some old Bordeaux, drank three
or four glasses in rapid succession.
Il wish the affair were over-if
t'were done, t'were best done quickly.
Jove not a very pleasant prospect for
a man to marry woman who hates
him. 1've half a mind to retreat now
but no! I've staked nv all on her
fortune, and have it | must E; and the
cheapest way is to marry her. 1t
won't do to let the affair reach the
ears of Inez. I've no fancy to arouse
her southern blood she's a perfect
tigrcss! But she<can't know it. In
few weeks will see her, and calm her
down; she'll view the thing sensibly
after a while;" and pouring out
another goblet of brandy, he raised it
to his lips. Suddenly there was tap
at the door. "Come in," he cried,
carelessly; there was response, and
putting down the goblet, Marchmont
crossed the room and opened the door.
With a muttered oath he raised his
hand to his head. g Was it a vision,
or reality % On the threshold, robed
in bridal garments, with orange-buds
twined in her raven hair, stood Alma.
4 fierce, exulting laugh rang through
the hall.
"Traitor! thus am [ avenged !" she
Kissed, suddenly burying small poin-
ard deep in his bosom.
With a heavy groan, Marclmont
fell to the floor, and uttering frenzied
laugh, the maniac fled into the draw
ing-room the bloody weapon still in
her hand, and dispensing the Mortified
guests as if by magic, who without
bidding farewell to their hostess, zap
idly left the mansion.
Mrs. Sumner, aghast and terrified,
locked herself within her apartment,
leaving the entire care and directions
to devolve upon 1mogene. Colonel
was borne from the hall
to his apartment, where everything
was done to resuscitate him, but in
vain.
The blow of the frenzied girl was
swift and sure, and life was fast eb-
bing away. Waxen tapers were
burning dimly in the large chamber,
revealing the pallid countenance of
the dying man, and the grave, anxious
faces around him. At the foot of the
bed, her white lips moving in prayer,
knelt Imogene at the head, stood the
family physician; and on the opposite
side, the wild light of her black eyes
quenched in tears, and heavy sobs
her frame, stood Inez. Her
shrieks which had been all
day resounding through the hall, had
ceased, her wandering reason seemed