The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-03-06
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had the cadaverous paeness Of the
tomb; her eye was sad; her step slow
and painful;yet her exquisite beauty eX-
erted the same fascination over Ralph,
as when sparkling with life and viva
city.
'Fulmen, love your he repeated,
gazing at her with admiration.
Yet, If my hand should touch
yours, she replied, with sad smile
you would utter cry as you did last
night; the dead are always cold.'
Give me your hand, and you will
see, said Ralph, extending resolutely
his own.
She took it, and again there came
over him the same sensation as before;
but he had sef-control enough to con-
quer it, and again to repeat:
Il love you'll
a bright. smile illumed the features
of Fulmen.
MY poor friend she said, Il would
gladly believe you; but III your : love
would end my sufferings; it must be so
profound, so ardent, that it can con-
quer even the desire to live. A tomb
with me must have attractions for you.
and you are but twenty-five, Ralph. At
your age life is sweet.
The earl shook his head.
TO live without you is death; to be
united to you, even in the tomb, would
be life!'
Take care my friend
OF what, dear Fulmen?' exclaimed
Ralph, over whom the smile of the
young girl seemed to exercise an over
powering fascination.
DO you know she said, that if you
utter such a wish God may hear your
prayer, and YOU may die?'
'Ah! if he would An eternity by
your side would be infinite happiness'
Ralph. my friend, interrupted Full.
men, while smile of celestial joy,shone
in her face, take care what you say:
you will die if you love me-
wish to de-
But you are betrothed to my sister,
An exclamation Of anger escaped
him.
4 hate herP he said, vehemeutly.
why?
Because shy is alive, while you are
dead. What has she done that she
should enjoy the light of the sun, the
perfum of flowers, the melody of birds?
Was she any younger, or more beauti-
ful?'
Ralph, you are unjust. My sister
had no control over her destiny or
mne.'
you ale right; but swear to you
that 1 will never marry Herminie.
wish to be yours, and only yours, for
ever
you are mad, my friend. l cannot
accept happiness at such a sacrifice,
She rose slowly.
'Adieu, Ralphl she said. Marry
Herminie, and pray ror me-
'Fulmen! Fulmenl' exclaimed Ralph,
falling on his knees at her feet do not
abandon mel love you'll
But your love is death.
1T is happiuessl 1t is lifel'
His tone was so earnest, so touch
ing, that the young girl hesitated.
Let me live etcrnally with your 4. he
persisted.
Listen, my friend, she said at
length assif she could no longer resist
his entreaties. In this casket, point
ing to richy.carved box which stood
upon the table, there is a phial con.
tanning dark liqud?'
And this liquid?'
is death!'
1T is happiness!' exclaimed Ralph.
setting the casket. Fulmer stopped
him by gesture,
Not yet she said;' 'by-and-by-at
midnight. But first-reflect.
immediately the candles were ,extin-
quished, aud he found himself in COM
plete darkness.
II Ralph had been Frenchman as
soon MS Fulmen disappeared he would
have opened the window, and let the
cool night air play upon his brow.
Then the fever fit being over, he would
have said to himself: 'All this is folly.
l am twenty-five years old, an officer
in the kings service, and am about to
marry girl, blonde as Madonna, fair
as lilly, who will bring me an income
of q hundred thousand liveres have
only to keep quiet. and lot things take
their course After which he would
have slept quietly, and let things take
their course.
But Ralph was ScOtchman, with an
imagination as eapab of eXatation as
most of his countrymeniof the land OF
mountain and mist AS soon as the
phantom vanished, he relighted the
candle by the aid of a ahalf-extinguished
: frebrand, and, opening the casket, took
out the phial.
'Fulmen! Fumenl wait for me- 1
am coming, he murmured, and swal-
| Lowell the contents at a dTaught.