The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-07-19

aud urged his alhlnccd, Oy every arHu
mcnt which he could command, to fly
with him. The temptation was a fearful
cne, but her sense Of duty aud the dread
of parental anger outweighed all other
considerations, and she determined to
accept her fate with what philosophy she
could.
Aud so they separated, the girl bOg
ging her lover not to subject her to
tenn ptation by remaining near her, and
in few weeks thereafter she Was united
t. her ancient lover
Little satisfaction, however, did the
old marquis receive from the unholy
union; for scarcely had the marriage
ceremony ended when the bride fell
lifeless to the floor. aud all efforts to re-
suscitate her proved entirely unavailing
Great was the grief of the ancient
bridegroom, and deep was the remorse
of the 5ercaved father, as they followed
the Iicless body Of the bride to the
grand mansion which the old marquis
fitted up for her reception, and grand
was the funeral which only three days
afterward took place.
Among the mourners present at the
funeral was the young lover, Antoine
Damas. His presence was not prohlb-
rcd, now that the idol If his soul lay
cold in death, aud as lie stood by the
side of the grand coffin. looking down
upon the iigid features of the loved and
| Jst, his tears fell like rain, and the
bosom Of the strong man swelled with
an agony which only those wh1 have
been similarly bcrcaved can fully aprre'
ciate.
Farewell, thou wildly worshipped
one" he mentally ejacnlated, "thou hast
entor,d the realms of eternal bliss, and
left me to ;cwail thy loss ; but | will
not remain long away from thee! My
soul shall greet thine in Paradise ere
thou hast been day buried. Then
why should | weep?" he continued, as
he hastily brushed the sogrowng drops
from lis eyes, and smiled hopefully
lis il not better that | should own thee
in Heaven. than that another should
claim thee here? Away, thou foolish
tear and rejoice, oh, my soul for thy
mate shall soon greet thee where all is
Joy and pace and eternal union y
Aud 50 the beautiful dead was laid to
res, in tie grand family mausoleum
where slept the ancestors Of the old mar
qui> and, when night had fallen upon
the scene, the bcreaved lover took his
way to the lodge occupied by the old
sexton, who had charge OF the grounds.
aud knocked gently for admission.
The door was speedily opened and the
sexton-a venerable, grey haired man ol
kindly a. pcct stood befo.e.him.
How now, my son. he said gently
as he gazcd in some wonder at the sor'
rowing face Of the youth, "why d ST
thou seek admission iuto the lodge OF
old Joseph at this unusual hour?'
Father" replied the youth, in a
tone of great earncstncSS. Il would ASK
ii favor Of thee.
If, keeping strictly within the lin'
of duty, can do anything to assnas'
thy grlc!, my poor youth, or to assis
thee in any particular, shall be only to'
happy to do it, rep led the sexton in ;
tone Of uultisncd sympathy. I" So spca'
freely, my son, aud let lie know how
can serve thee.
Il desire to gain admiiiancc into the
tnmb where my lost love is lying" rc
,urhcd Antoi:.c. "Do me but this favor
father, aud will ble-, thee with M!
last breath.
Your request is as unreasonable a
to grant i, i, impossible, returned th'
old sexton, in Il tone of sorrow. "hnr
has turned thy brain, and rendered thee
reckless. Get thee to thy home and It
bed, my poor boy, or thou wilt be ii
subject for the mad house before man,
days roll BY
..Shall be tit subject for the gray
ere To- morrow il thou dost not grant m,
request" returned the youth earnestly
..Dost thou think, I'd man, that | ca'
sleep with this dead weight at m
bosom? As well p!ightcst thou recon-
mend reposc to one undergoing the tor
ture of the lack. ! tell thee, father.
must see my love tonight, or | shall be
a raving maniac ere morning Let M
but look upon her sweet face once again
aud ple4e my lips to hers, and will de
palt quietly : a.,i Eabody nPcl know
that / had the precious privilege. !
thou dost feel for me tie sympathy
which thou dost effect to feel, he con
tinucd. clasping bis hants and ilxln;
upon the old scxon look =! .ltIini en-
treaty, Il lmpIorc thee grant m 'h'
ono llvor!'
Thou a,t distracted, my son. re
piled the old scxon, maarniully, "but
suppose no harm will come Of 5r2Htir:
thy request, and 50 thou shalt be graft
fled. Come with me. And donnln
his coat and hat, he l;.!ied 4 lantcr
and the two set forth together.
CHAPTER II!
Some two months subscqucn, 10 th
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