Cruel As The Grave

was like t

n Etna's bre

le, returning from their bridal tour arrived by steamer at the old

a great amount of baggage, so that altogether their appearance was so promising that the land

s party as Mr. and Mrs. Lyon Berners, o

our own use, and a couple of bedrooms for our servants," said

d immediately," answer

morning, and should like to have two inside and two outside

and take them

tea got ready as soon as po

. What would yo

ved," said Mr. Berners, with a slightly impatient wave of h

just now; but he'll care more about his bill of fare a few weeks hence," chuc

e seated her in the easiest arm-chair, and began with affecti

ndage, dear Lyon," said the litt

that touches your dear person, except my own," he murmured tenderly as he removed her bonnet, and

oh! if you should ever cease to love me, or even if you were ever to love me less,-

m kisses on her crimson lips-"sweetest Sybil, it is not possible for

rest Lyon! With all my

at, swe

his bosom and gazing in

I never fail to put up, day and night!

ven's blessing to rest

I mean now! That is not the stronger, stronger prayer which I offe

er, so awful in its ea

y never live to know it," she breathed with an intensity of suppressed emotion that dr

he boiling blood! A Berners of whom it has been said, that it is almost as fatal to be loved, as to be hated, by one of

I am not jealous of you! What cause

at, my

cannot shake off-a burden, as of some impending calamity! And as there is no calamity that can possibly affe

l, dreary room! We will change all this!" said Lyon Berners, cheerfully, as he pull

ady?" shortly dem

ady, sir," answered

s," said Mr. Berners, pointing to a collection of outer

self with the personal effects of t

the bright red curtains at the windows, the bright red covers of the chairs and sofas, the glowing coal fire in the grate, and above all the neatly spre

red carpet, window curtains, and chair covers, but also with a white-draperied tent-bedstead, with bed-pillows and coverings white and soft as swa

and handed a chair and relieved the waiter of his burden of portable per

nnibal here to attend us," said the guest to the wai

le! Here is a scene to inspire the saddest heart with cheerfulness," said the bri

soft seat and smil

ttle repast upon the table and then withdrew, leaving Hannibal, the faithfu

covered her spirits. The transient shadow that had for a moment darkened the splendor of her joy, even as a

t few weeks-joy that both were too young and untried to know could not last for ever, could not indeed even last long-joy so elevated in its insanity as almost t

range, and almost justified the intensity of thei