The weekly standard. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-13

~--~~~ ~~@NS @~~NAJ A<AANA &o 410uCEu Ui
her fellow servants to ask her some
thing about her hfe-previous to ths
shipwreck. The fesI9s completely deter
red them from any future attempts ofth
kind. When the question was asked
Lsdy Alma seemed to lose all self con.
trol, and her beautiful hair and pearl,
skin turning TO o livid hue, she tore
and beat Herself as in fury, and with
shrieks'besought the girl 10 leave he,
alone. None dared tell this to their
master, who seemed daily more facina-
ted with the beautiful stranger. Hay-
ing never been seen speaking with any
one but the members of the household
orsending any written communications,
to the increased surprise of all, coach
drawn by four splendid horses one day
appeared before the castle and the
coachman said he had come for Lady
Alma. She seemed not at all surprised
but very sad upon hearing this, and
hastily dressing as for journey went
to bid Lord H. farewell. What was
his surprise when she told him that
she must Immediately and forever de-
part. In their daily intercourse he
had been happy, and had often thought
of linking her more closely to him by
the bonds of marriage, but in the alb
sence of rivalry, his total ignorance of
her history and still imperfect knowl-
edge of her character, he had hesitated
to propose this step to her. Indeed,
smooth as had been the course Of their
oye-fascinated, dazzled and bewilder-
ed as he was by his charming guest,
his regard for her had not yet become
that tender devotion which is perfected
only by opposition and misfortune.
This threatened separation was all that
was needed. He knew not till that mo-
ment how she had wound herself into
the recesses of his nature, and how
dreary life would be without her. The
world might laugh at his wedding
stranger, Tut could that world
produce another more bright and beau
tiful to grace his ancestral halls as their
mistress?
Dear Alma, he cried, must you in
deed go? Then may I not go with your
No. she said, it is impossible 1T is
mott cannot bel What is impossible
to be done for you? I viii pursue you
through the worldr You cannot.
Would that fate permitted itl' Then
my beautiful, beloved mystic one, you
regret to leave me. Stay, Stay! I
know not who claims you, but I know
it is no one who will love you better
than I; and once claimed by me in
the sacred name of wife, none dare
u.s. A struggle seemed going
On in her mind; she was silent some
moments, but at length said, 1t pains
nae to remind you of an unpleasant
which I cannot explain.
You know nothing of my past life.
How can you offer me your hand with
out knowing more of me?' You
can tell me, he said. I cannot. It is
only on condition of your never asking
me about the past, that I will consent
to remain. With this promise I am
yours; and any breach of it viii be disas-
trous il not fatal Mine! he cried, joy
fully, drawing her toward him. I know
you are beautiful as an angel, that you
have been nothing but Low sliness and
sweetness since had the blessed fortune
your gentle soulin this world
for while longer. And you love me
you must love me. It is enough. ii
promise. The mysterious equipage
was dismissed, and next day Lady Al
ma became Lady FL. Our hero was
for some time quite happy, but as day
after day passed by, and the mystery
that shrouded his fair lady's past was
not removed, being but q man what
ever she wasl the keeping of his prom
ise became difficult. He wondered and
coniectured as to the cause of the most
ordinary changes of her countenance
and feelings, and always in thought re-
ferred it to the past. These wonder
ings and guessings soon began to as
sumo the form OF suspicion, and it is
but short step from that to jealousy.
One day he found in some secret
drawer pair Of rich and beautiful an
tioue bracelets which he had supposed
lost. All! he thought instantly, How
charming viii these look upon my la
dy's white arms. He FASTENED with
them to her Alma" he said, let me
see how these become you She tur-
ned little pale and held out her right
arm sOh, perfection I he exclaimed
when ii was -clasped on. Now,