The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-02-20
CHAPTER XIII.


The war was over General Lee had
surrendered; and the peace of America
was secured, so as to be no more disturbed
by agtators of slavery and right of seces-
sion. The great struggle had subsided
as was anticipated by the North; and the
conquered patriots retired to their desc
late homes, after four years toll in the
vicissitudes of actire warfare. Individual
daring is now almost forgotten = self. de-
NAL unrewarded, and the sunny South,
warmed by the breath of the Orient, lie 8
aesert-like and barren in its own bloo1y
fertility. II is alienated from the Stated
brotherhood cemented by Washington.
and other grey-headed heroes of 1856,
by the power of the inaugurated assum-
ers, who are universally accredited as the
great representatives of Individual and
general right. If we were grandees of
National royalty, we would not prosecute
war against insurgents, if we did not
intend to bring them back to the same
footing whence they revolted; or if we
did not manifest our intention to act thus
we could not think upon prosecuting
war = with its expenses, its bloodshed,
and the long catalogue of shame and mis-
cry, that follow even in the triumph and
conquest.
The war was over A thausand wild
ows = ten thousand orphans wept over
the Fall of New Orleans. Like the mys
tical Babylon, her fall was lamented, pre-
dicted and accomplished = the certain
unity of constitutional interest accelerated
her ruin with as much precision as there
were means found to execute her final
debasement, and the destroyers were not
wanting IN the impulses of degenerate
War Orleans is T" fallen"
Ellmount Hall survived the destruc-
tive horrors Of fire and sword The usual
round of things went on, silent, sombre
and cherries; and no vivacity or song
ever disturbed its rich solitudes of com
fort and luxury. Secrecy was imposed: /:
the undertone was tremulous. and the
laugh forced and uneasy. Camilla was
no longer seen. She was again Injured in
the dark chamber on the lower gallery
until she could consent to become the
wife of Edgerton, and for ever abandon
ihe sweet resorts of her girlhood. and for
get the form which always gave her ioy.
hope and succour. Until then her doom
was fixed, as Gonsalvo had betrayed him.
self, and lay open to the cunning and
merciless demands of the vile official -
his refusal in any case, being responded
10 with threats of arrest and execution
Camilla was to be sacrificed in expiation
Gi bis crimes, and thus things stood when
the diabanded army of Northern Virginia
were about retiring to their homes.
She now sat by the low bedside, her
head resting in her hand, and her face
pale and sad with the rigors of thought
ful anxiety and confinement. Her
clustering hair rolled back in beautiful
curls on her shoulders; and her ewes
burned with that feverish fire which be-
s.ius first at tie heart, and ultimately in
fuses itself into the features, giving more
than ordinary beauty, as its effects are
more pathetic. a light robe of pure
white revealed her form to perfection,
and the deep silence Of midnight threw
a charm over the whole = the scene was
sad, dreary and affecting; softened by the
brilliant glow from a silver pedestal.
whereon lamp burned dimly.
y light cautious footstep sounded on
the gallery, and she awoke from her rev.
erie alarmed. On it came with measured
tread, as if disturbed by its own echo.
and fearful lest it should break the soli-
tary stiffness of the lonely depths. Ca
mlllla's heart throbbed audibly = her
hand trembled with nervous prostration,
and she rose In terror from the bedside.
How many thoughts whirled in rapid
succession through her mind, and how
many conclusions did she arrive at? The
key was carefully inserted 10 the lock.
and voice whispered but one word. She
uttered low choking sob, and sank away
lnsensible Then the door opened, and
man entered hurriedly. An emotion
sounded hoarsely In his throat, and he
knelt down. He kissed the pale lips
with some devotion; and the cold hardi-
hooo OF the soldier now melted down in
the soft overflow of tears. Her hand
was now IN his; and, as if the pressure
acted chemically on her nerves, she opened
her eyes and looked. That gaze. An.
guish and joy served to repress life in
her bosom, and they closed in lanouid
ecstasy He pressed it to his lips, and in
wild lntoxication of delight, she raised
herself and gazed into his face.
+" Austin, o God !"
Camilla angel, Lowell" And their
transport subsidized in their loss of articu.
lation, their silence was mutual = they
gazed; but spoke not in their dilemma oil
joy. 1t was ravishing - the delight ofI
love is ever SO; but more intense as If
borders on sorrow and suffering. Austin
raised her in his arms, and placed her on
a chair. He drew her fair head against
his bosom, and whispered softly in her
ear:
Camilla. 1t is [. Austin = your
own love. | am here, never more to
leave you - never"
Never, Austin, did you say never?"
TO be always with you, to love and