Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/245

12 were Jarge and Instrous, and the veined lids partially closed over them, as if to shut out their unearthly beauty. Her form was strangely attenuated; and no one would have readily reengnized there, the fair pro- portions which had charmed so muny eyes, and won so many hearts in the hopin hours that hid siniled on Rosulie Herbert.

Five years had gone by sine she hail parted from Gleneat Lee—five years, in which-hed been eoncen- (rated to her, the misery and woe of nges. For a time she had proudly nd nobly endeavored to hear up against hor fate, It was fruitless all. Her love had grown with her growth, and huil become too deeply rooted ever to he eradicated. Tt was a part—nay, the Leifer part of her existence—life had no charms without it.

“Pierced, they might digjoin tems Bat portect, ncver P”

She saw her hopes prostrated, her affections crushed, and the fond desires of her heart blighted at once and forever. Danger, caro, trouble, penury and misfortune, she could have borne; the world might have mocked at her truth, and sneered at her devotion; no matter, they would have been “like the idle wind which whe regarded not.” She would have fell ainply repaid for uny sutler- ing, any reproach, if the star of love but rested aver and lighted her path, No obstacles would have dismayed —no dangers daunted her, had she ouly been awsured that there was one being in the wide world who uppre- cisted and returned het affection. But be on whom she had teusted with such firm and implicit reliance, had deserted her, Disappointment, bitter, unyielding disappointinent, was ber portion. ‘The future, once all joy and sunshine, presented but @ dark and gloomy vinta. ‘she had nothing lefl to live for—nothing to hope (or— one thing, and one alone, to die for—und that enbiraced her all of felicity, both here and hereafter—for it was Peace!

"Clara~cister!” her voice was low and plaintive a9 that of the dying zophyr, and tho person whom she niddreasod, a young and beautiful, though care-worn female, sprang hastily from the embrasvre of the window in which sho had been seated—~#T eannot~I dare not sleop. ‘These wild dreama haunt my fancy, and die turk any mind. Grim monsters startup ever und anon before me; and tall, sheeted spectroa point their long, hony fingers at me in scom! Oh! it is horrible— drondfal—that fearful shudder !”

« Rosalio™” ;

& Who calls ‘Rosalie?”—it is a forbidden word.”

“Say not cof—Do we not all love you dearly” and the speaker bent over her sister’s form, and im- printed a wana kine on her pale cheek— You know not how glatly we woukl see you once muro well and happy ?”

LADY’S

“T do know it-I feel it !—but I fear me I shall never live to requite your kindness! Do I speak wildly? My brain js hot—scorehing hot—and my throat ie parched with thirat!”.

« Drink of this goblet—it will revive you. You need rest—compore youself!”

sThe letter, Clara !—has it been sent 1”

“Tt hos!”

“ And is there no answer?”

“The messenger bas not returned. Clement Lec has been successful in the canvusx—and hie is to address his fellow-citizens this evening ; perhaps he—”

“No! no! He cannot refuse me—it is a last request —I have told him #0, He knows that [ am dying, and he wil} come—I am aure he will !”

“Talk not of dying, Roxalié, we cannot. part with you!”

“ Why should I wort it ia but truth! Like the fower plucked from ita pareut stem, and deprived of the quickening influence of sunlight and shower, I am fast fading away. The hand of death is on me, I feel it here J” she pressed her hand emphatically to her heart.

“Oh, no! You are better—much better now—the bloomn nguin freshens on your cheek!” *

“Ab! you must not deceive me!” she said, raising

her head faintly, and surveying her reflected image in the piec-glass before her. “Lis the startling premoni- tion, of the fast change—the seal of the destroyer! Gaily he decks his victims for the sacrifice—ha! this is the | «bloom’ of the grave!” @ Overpowcred with the effort, she sak back into the arms of her sister, and for a few moments lay motionless ani senseless 0a a atatue, Suddenly her eyes were opened—she missed some one, and murmured softly,

“My mother? where is she?”

“fore, Rosalie!” paid the mother, as she entered the room. “Cheer up, love! here is a message for you; Clement Lee is engaged with Ms friends to-night, he will call to-morrow.”

“A ‘message ? then indeed he has forgotten me! ‘to-morrow 7 that will bo too late! Be still, still, my poor heart!” she exclaimed. “I could hear all—all— hut this! to know he would not see me, even now ! Do not weep, my mother! Come near me, speak to me, pray for me!”

‘Thos entreated, she knelt heside her child, and though the sobs she conld not supprese, uhnost impeded her speech, she poured forth at the throne of grace, the petition of a heart overflowing with gratitude, yet rent by the keenest and most poignant anguish, She hud just concluded as the words—" mather—sister—Clement —Hreaven !” came faintly articulated from the lips of Rosalie. A feeble smile lighted up the countenance of the dying girl—her eyes sparkled witha supernatural
 * —a gentle tremor stole over her frame—and,

�