The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1885-06-10
Tho Danth Trotl,.

49,
Highland brigade.
lie yielded to his request. Tho pipes
were lit, and soon they passed from
lighter topics to one Of deeper interest,
when Wilfrld told u story to his frlend
Of romantic first love, which had
made Of his hard life in the Crlmea q
tender, sweet idyl.
"You have not told me her name, 81
said Ainslie.
cit is Constance"
"And your MARRIAGES. the day
fixed ~
mo such luckl' calculated Wllfrid
HWe should have to wait for some
years for my promotion. But" con
tnued he, with an embarrassed laugh,
lit is rather premature to talk OF a we'd
ding when my fate is not yet decided.
think she loves me, though l never
asked her the question until came to
the Crlmea."
''Oh, you are not engaged?'
"NO. expect to get her letter to-
morrow-the letter which will tell me
all Ainslie, If it comes too late, will
you lay It unopened upon my breast, and
bury IL with me2"
The captain turned his dark ewes af.
fectionatoly Oh his comrades face, az
lie RESPONDED.
"If it comes to that, yes; but, old fell
low, don't be down in the mouth; hope
for better things.''
The battle WAS over. A victory was
gained for Englan!; but at what a costl
With unavailing sorrow in his heart.
Paul Alnslie gazed Oh the scene, for his
errand there WAS q sad one. lie came
to seek among the SLAIN the body Of his
friend, ~ip had fallen. IIo found the
still form. lie looked down OIL the face
last seen so bright with life, and the
tears gathered slowly in his dark eyes.
lie held al unopened letter Which had
just reached the camp. 1t was address
ed to Lieutenant Denver, in a woman's
writing.
Perchance it contained the words Of
love which had been 30 eagerly desired
yesterday. With u deep sigh, Paul
LAID tho letter on the young ollicer's
breast; and thus, with his beloved's
words close to the pulseless heart, Will
frid Denver was laid to rest iii his rude
grave.
Five years after the Crimean war is
over, Paul Ainslie m'ngles with the
crowd at o fashionable ball in the
height Of the London season. Such gay
assemblies are not much to his taste.
but he is drawn to this gathering be
cause the idol of his heart is amongst
the guests. Constance Beaumont is SIN
gularly beautiful. Paul has been dane.
ing with her. The delight Of her pres
ence overwhelms him. Bending, until
their eyes meet, lac whispers, ''Come
with no."
In the cool, dimly-lighted conservato-
ry, with the splash of falling water
mingling with the dreamy strains of
music, he asks her one low, earnest
question, constance, will you be my
0wn9" Her heart answers him. They
arc QUlLH 1@ne, aAd cgen as s'Io sigNS
lrenlidoNSlp be has hei IN hlB arms.
close against his timobNiNg lle4rt.
,she dstn e%ay lID.% hl&NourA %lth
. 3hu00Nr, e%Gleimlng, Willly. sFaul Il
pStltlSQ must uot i0Ye nej SEEK uot
~ duiU Suur l.e nith Uuinc. Ior Tie
shadow oi'd0&tl Is uu }uy patN.R
Eaui SmiiGS SupG4iol u LGr !o.-Aa.
"My darling, if you love me will never
relinqulsh you. Death comes to all
lives, but it will not fall sooner on eth
er Of us because those lives are one,n he
says.
1t is Paul Ainslle's wedding. day.
The sunlight streams through the stain
Ell glass windows, casting gorgeous
tints on the church floor. The ceremo-
ny begins; the solemn words are spoken.
Paul stretches forth his hand to plight
their troth, while Constance's slight fin
gers f]utter into his palm. lie is about
to press them III u warm clasp when an
icy hand steals in between and q sha-
dowy form stands before the bride. Her
arm falls to her side. An awful pallor
comes upon her face.
With lips apart, with eyes dstended
in horror, she c0nfronts the phantom;
then, with one long, wild cry-"Wil-
fridl Wilfridln--she falls like a stone
into Paul's arms.
The bridal guests crowd round her:
there is q hum OF voices, a whispered
murmur Of sound; but Constance
knows nothing, sees nothing. White
and still, with closed oyellds like the
dead, she remains, and thus he bears
her from the church. In the same state
she is borne from the carriage and laid
upon her bed. Her lovers heart seems
breaking. lie has tried all restoratiyes
in vain. lie throws himself upon his
knees besides tho couch, and clasping
her inanimato form to his throbbing
heart in q paroxsysm Of despair, he
means, ooh, Constance, my beloved,
come back to life and metz
AS in answer to lils prayer, she
moves, her dark eyes opening upon him
with wild gaze as Of fear; then there
comes a passionate burst of weeping,
which shakes her from head to foot.
Rising from the couch she totters to.
ward HIM, stretching out her arms.