The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-12-07

port of my Inconsistency drive you to infideli-
ty9 Did not my letters breathe constant
alteration, and did not yours portray the
same sincerity of affection No; it was
that wretched passion for novelty which |
more or less holds predomiuancy over your
whole sex.-To new lover you will sacri.
fee engagements, though made in the face of |
heaven"
Thus did rave through the entire day
The proceedings of that day are a vacuum
in my memory. Every fend in Hades were |
pointing their sacred bony fingers at me-
and with derisive sneering laughter, sarcas
tic tones were urging me on to "revenge"
Through the whole of that day was a
raving, frantic maniac. | was hopeessly |
and incurably victim of that worst of all
awav. At last the sun went down. Better
for me had it been possible for that bright
orb to have remained immovable for all
time.
1t was a beautiful summer sunset The
fast receding rays, as they lingeringly rested
upon the topmost crest of distant noun
tain, engulfing its base in pall.like gloom
and slantin ngly beamed upon the dancing,
shimmering waves of the silent river, threw
back a mixture of shade and sunshine which
plainly told that night was approaching.
Night, oh, fatal night
All nature was clothed in its most pleasant
garb. The carolling of the birds, the purl-
ing rivuets, grand old forest, majestic
river, and twinklng stars were all love-
ly.
But in the midst of this soul enchanting
scenery appeared cloud, mere speck at
first, but which rapidly increased. Bright
sheets of lightning began to flash along the
darkened heavens and the low rumblng of
distant thunder resembling the harsh growI-
ings of ferocious beasts. announced the
coming storm. Larger and larger grew the
clouds louder and louder pealed the thun-
der, while the lightning fairly flooded the
gloomy heavens with stream of electric
light.
And there sat in nv room, occasionally
giving outbursts to demoniacal laughter
Black and terrible as was the scene without,
it was nothing to the storm of raging pas
sions that were bowling in my breast The
storm continued. A deep, hollow, distant
roar announced the approach of summoned
winds. The whole forest bowed in awful
grandeur, as from its dark bosom rushed the
impetuous hurricane, twisting off or tearing
up by the roots, the stoutest trees, and
whirling the heaviest branches through the
air with irresistible fury.
Deep night now filled the atmosphere
The rain poured in torrents the wind rocked
the building, and beloved in the adjacent
groves; the river ragged and roared fierce
lightning rent the heavens alternately, in
volving the world in the sheeted flame OF
its many colored fires thunders burst with
horrid din, bounding and reverberating
among the surrounding woods hills, and
valleys until it seemed nothing less than
the crash of worlds resounding through the
universe. The whole scene was maiestically
grand.
The clock struck the hour of ten, sprang
to my feet and rushed into the street.
The "trysting hour" had come, but the
storm without had made me oblvious to the
hell within. The scenes, externally and in
ternally, were well fitting to the black and
damning deed l was that night destined to
perform.
was alone in the street Not one of the
hardy inhabitants of that town dared venture
out on such an evening as that. On l went,
with burning fever consuming my inmost
soul On and on, unmindful of the terrible
aspect of the raging elements. The boiling,
seething, turbulent river, as it flowed angri-
y on, the bowling winds, the lurid light
ming, the loud bolts of thunder, were uncar
ed for and unheeded by me. l arrived in
view of the old house by the river side. |
looked all was dark, silent and gloomy.
swore by the black heavens above me to be
avenged
| opened my eyes, aud . bright, lurid,
fantastic light was streaming from one of the
lower windows. The light was so dazzlingly
brilliant that it almost blinded me. | crept
there witnessed a scene which paralyzed ev-
cry fibre in my organization, and caused ev-
cry drop of blood to CONCEAL in my veins.
| saw Miss Reynolds close locked in the
arms of young man elegantly dressed, and
of singu'arly delicate appearance, They
were earnestly conversing in low tone of
voice, and the hand of my fair one was
gently pressed in the hands of the stranger.
| drew close to the window, applied my ear
70 crevice, and, with the fury of pandemo-
mum in my heart, | listened.
The stranger clasped Miss Reynolds in his
arms.
Dearest angel ?" he exclaimed, "what an
interruption to ogr bliss by the return OF
my hated rival T.
With very fond caresse9 and endearing
Establishments, she replied, Fear nothing
have promised and must yield him my
hand; but you shall never be excluded from
my heart. We shall find sufficient opportu.
mites for private conferences.
| could hear no more. My brain was On
fire; and rushing from my conceament,
with bound, sprang through the window
; aud confronted them.
"Ungrateful and false hearted woman r
exclaimed, sis it thus you return my idol
strous love? You have deserted me yor
have perjured your most sacred VOWS anC
thus am | avenged -
And placing pistol at her breast, | sho
her through the heart and turning to he
companiou-"And thou, perfdious ntam
nator and destroyer of my bliss, go attenC
thy companion in iniquity, death too gooc
; for so foul a crime V"-and immedately
drawing my knife, | stabbed him to the hill
in the breast.
With the words, "Oh, George! You
wife, youI sisterl" he fell fainting to tn