Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-04-09

cu 10 nave you careu tor. ouli thal
it were in my power To render you as
comfortable as he desired, but oh
Amer, what fearful change has the
course of destiny's star undergone,
since last looked on your familiar
features"
Dead! Lord Fitzgerald dead ~
exclaimed the gypsy, the tears raining
from her eves.-''lt cannot, cannot be,
my lord. that your dear and noble
father is no more, that his proud form
lies mouldering in the tomb.'
Il have no right TO the title by which
YOU address me, Amer" continued
Edmund, in heart.broken accents.
Those princeiv possessions which
added lustrc to the untarnished name
of Fitzgerald, are all gone. A blast
of i'll fortune, but one week since
swept them all away, and the dear. old
mansion is now in the hands of sworn
enemies of my father. l have heard
that sorrow never kills, but Amer, he
died of a broken heart, and was con-
veyod by his Few friends 10 his last
resting place, on the day before he
was 10 give mp his splendid home for
ever for the bleak tower on the cliii."
''OL. ola, oh. groaned the old wo-
man, swayIng herself backward and
forward
Master Edmund, let me read to
You your future she said, looking
sadly upon the pale features and man
ly form beside her.
"No, Amer, no, positively no. he
said, Withdrawing his hand, which she
attempted 10 take within her own.
But Edmund. | will. You cannot
prevent me. must counsel you. my
son, and il needs be, warn YOU. Per-
haps may assist you TO thrust from
the pathway Of your clouded future
that spectre which is talking there
ward OFF or lessen the pangs Of destiny
which feel is yours "
AS she took the hand that was trem-
blingly extended, and glazed over
the lines, she bent on him long look
of anguish, and rising from her rude
bench, walked the floor muttering TO
herself.
Tel, me. Amer, tell me - he urged
wildly. "Surely my future contains
something for which dare 10 live.
Tell me all, Amer, all. Withhold
nothing from me. you cannot add TO my
misery. | am almost bereft ofreason.
Master Edmund" she began"
death is before you, and will you 60
TO meet il? You seek the fair Imo-
gene; | entreat you TO retrace your
steps. Cross not Lord Douglas path
in quest of his sister
Douglas Douglas did you say,
woman: Never truer heart throb-
bed than that which pulsates within
his noble breast. When we met.
scarce one month since, ne seelnsu
cage, for me 20 take 10 my home his
lovely sister"
.'But was that home the tower on
the cliff" was bitterly rejoined.
Then you were not lacking in the
sunshine Of wealth, and proudly titled.
But now, alas and she again buried
her face in her long, thin hands, and
sobbed aloud. Return home, my
boy y she continued TO plead. "Iou
are the last one of the proud old line
of the Fltzgeralds, and should you die,
the name 10 the honor of which the
swords of your ancestors have added
glory imperishable, will be As if it had
never been. Listen TO an old gypsy,
my child, whose eyes can read Your
future as surely as they can trace these
lines in your hand. Go to Douglas
Hall, and one month from to-day that
splendid form will be stretched, bleed
ing and lifeless, on the turf, and those
handsome, manly features rigid and
cold in DEATH
To her perceptible shudder he iu-
voluntarily responded, and every par
ticle of color fed from his face.
"But, Imogene," he at length said
''what do you say of her, Amer? That
she loves me still:"
"Loves youw Loves you!" repeat
cd the gypsy. THAT she does. The
unyarying needle is not more constant
to the pole than her heart is to its al
legiance. But what does that know
ledge avil you? She dares not rebel"
Then my purpose is fixed. l
would 60 did l know that would die
ere l gained the portals of Douglas
Hall. We will see who dare REBEL"
he said, sternly and with determine.
ton. Il will take her to my tower on
the cliff, which her presence will not
only render endurable, but an Eden,
and We will look for better days." and
with ray Of hope glimmering in his
unhappy breast he started for his
horse, which he mounted amid the gyp-
sy's widest supplications to him TO
stay his steps, and to Omnipotence for
his protection from the sword, which
was already uplifted for him.
He looked back as his noble steed
bore him steep, almost perpendicu-
lar activity, mile from the home Of
his gypsy friend, and his bonnet, with
its dropping plume, was waved aloft,
for he saw her standing upon the huge
rock that overhung the entrance to
the cavern, as if straining her eyes to
catch last glimpse ere he began a
descent from the hills lofty summit.
AS the form Of the noble young rid
er disappeared from view, the gypsy
heaved deep sigh, and in response,
tears fell thick and fast but brushing
them away, she re-entered her cottage
and seated herself at her constant
task
When Master Edmund Fitzgerald
was passing the ancient and splendid
seat of his ancestors, and which, IN
justice, should have been his own, he
scarcely bent his eye upon its grand
eur, but pressing his spur anew into
Ravens side, dashed yet more hurried
ly onward, for his thoughts were of
Douglas Hall and his peerless Imo-
gene.
As he neared the gate the proud heir
of Douglas FASTENED joyfully and with