Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-07-20

hair which was gathered into shower of ring
let's at the back of her head her glorious dark
eyes aid DAZZLING complexion, conspired to
make her the most dazzling woman Ernest
thought that he had ever behed, as he rose
with start and smile to greet her. ...,
':Cousin Lorette, permit me to preseht to
you Ernest, my husband, said Barbara, with
an arch smile lowering about her bright lips
as she noted his glances of admiration. -,
At tea she gazcd in blank astonishnent in
her husbands face when, asking, him what
The news Of the day" was, he replicd,-
Perfectly bewitching." .f ....,..
But Lorcttes bright red lips curved with
curious smile as she saw him pepper his sauce,
salt his biscuit, and make desperate cndeav-
or to sip HE tea with fork. But the climax
of blunders was reached when, ms they arose
from the ten-table, he disgraccd himself irre-
yocably by depositipg the boot jack in the
cradle, aud made frantic effort to deposit
little Carrie on the top of picture frame,
which lauiablc endcavor she resisted with
praiscworthy perseverance,. .,....e
''Comc. L0rette, sing for u.s." said Barbara,
opening the piano, and placing a collection
of sheet music on it. ....t .,...
Certainly after you," answered the willy
girl, well knowing that her cousin could not
compete with her. ... ...
But you know that do not pretend to
sing only for the amusement of Ernest and
myself; nevertheless" and, turning, she
seated herself at the piano and sang quaint
old Scotch ballad to a simple accompaniment
1t was when she had completed her song that
Lore: ito in all her regal beauty ran her snowy
fingers over tho keys in a brilliant prelude,
AMI saag. in minor key, 4 selection from
Norma" High and clear, like Joyous
bird on the wing, the nclodious tones huated
upward, and it seemed that tie melody Of
heaven filed the apartment The rich full
tones loatcd out in liquid softness on tho eve
ming ar, family quavcring as a bird might
twittcr in its sleep, and then tril!ihg like some
sweet warbler.
Ernest sat with his gaze rivctcd to the fair
singer. while his breath was almost suspended.
And, reader, do you think that Lorctte no.
ticel not the admiration that bcaucd from his
eyes as, in pointed words, he complimentti
her finely cultivated her voice? If you do
you are mistaken. She saw she the power
She had gained, aud fcnd like resolved to use
it in her own mind she cared not what it
would avail her, provided she gained his
love and admiration.
so the days passed, and little Barbara fitted
hithcT and thither, planning parties, excur-
sions and picnics for dear Lorctte's" benefit,
all Unconscious of the hcart-searchng misery
in store for her And evenings. while she
sat in the nursery, rocking little Carrie, Ern-
est and Loretto sang duets together, or ram
blsd in the garden by moonlight sa
And She nll innocence and purity, was 80
glad that Ernest and Lorctte thought so much
of each other, aud were SO happy together -
And Ernest thought not, cared not, so long
as lie was in the presence of Lorette, the dark
eyed, arch-lippcd syren. And she, the bright.
bcwildering beauty, used all her arts and
Establishments to win from him the love, honl-
age and alteration due to his wife.
And what was the end of all this?
One bright, autumnal evening Barbara laid
the sleeping Carrie in her crib, aud wcnded
her way into the garden, to the arbor, where
she knew Ernest aud Lorette we're sitting
Stealing softly along to give them u surprise,
she pcered through the thick grape vines and
saw sight that riyettcd her to the spot.
There Ernest sat. his arms wound about The
form OF Lorettc, and his head bent low till his
lips touched hers. But it was not this, but
tho words he uttered, as she intuitively bent
her head, that blanched her sweet face to
deathly pgllor. Let us listen to them.
''Lorette, my darling Lorette, at once MY
angel and MY demon, listen to the words that
should ] not utter would consume my heart
and brain as with q fire. You know, your
womans instinct has told you long ere this.
that love you as man never loved before -.
Without you life would tie barren waste"
"..nd what Of Barbara" murmured the
fendish Loretei turning her gloriously be-
wilIcring eyes to his.
His fine face darkencd for moment, and
then he answered hurriedly, and passionate
ly, as though some darl, spirit had taken pos
session of his mind,-
ave will fy, away off beneath Italia's
sunny skies VIC will go, and in some sequcs
tered spot we will live and love +" .I
Noiselessly Barbara turned and fed from
the spot, strange, wild light cleaning from
the violet depths of her eyes, and the small
fair hands pressed tightly about her throbbing
heart. Noisclessly site entered the houee,
her pale lips set US if firm determination had
taken possession of her mind she nechani-
cally went to the table, grasped piece of pa
per. and penncd few lines while hot, bitter
tears rained upon it. Silently she placed it !
between the leaves OF her vellum-bUund Bible |
and then with low wall of heart brokon
gony she turned to the cradle Of little Carrie,
and moaned FORTH ....... .t.r
80 my darling cbild-mine and his-how
can leave you in all your innocence and
lovciness But It's better. far better that
should die than they commit that terrible sin
of fight. And now, my precious babe, fare
well. May kind and loving angels guard
and watch over you is the prayer of your un-
happy mother" .f lr
And so she went out, that wild autumn
evening, with that great load Of anguish on
her heart-wcnt out With her beautiful eyes
raised supplicatingly to Heaven, her white
hands elasped in mute agony, and her pale
lips working convulsively. Eagerly and hur-
riedly she went ON as if she feared Interrupt
ion, pausing not till she reached the brink
IF a small lake only short distance from the
house. Then, hesitating for an instant, she
brokenly,- ,..,
"Infnite Father of mercy, guide and pro-
,ect my child, and, for the dear Redeemer's
,ake receive the spirit of her broken hearted