Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-03-07
sMsrel!0y.eOtss.
THE BRIDAL EVE.
FROM THE STANFORD SENTINEL.

II was the bridal eve .i Ellen Gle
'ah"' Inc setting sun threw its yellow
rays over the landscape. Ii was the
hoar appointed fur the ceremony, and
vet the bridegroom came not.
Ellen could ill brook the laughing
ra'llery Of her young friends, and stole
forth to indulge IN the feelings she
could not conceal Yet she did not
doubt the fidelity of her betrothed !:
ont sad presentiment of--she knew
not what-pressed heavily on her heart.
Slowly she walked towards the wild
fountain, whose sparkling waters had
witnessed the fiest vows OF her Ed.
ward. With languid smile she muck.
ed some OF the modest snow droos that
bloomed but once since those vows
were registered, aud twined them i'm a
flexible bridal chaplet. As her taper.
ing fingers pursued their flowery manu-.
factory, she thought of Edwards own
words when he placed one of the pearl
IKE howrets IN her glossy hair. This
said he, the sweet emblem of thy pu-
rity, IS not more free from guile than
the passion ! avow.' The witherej
Hover, though forgotten by him, she had
preserved as sweet mcmento Of that
b!issful moment, and now twisted il
with the wreath she was forming Of its
pure successors. She had Just finish.
ed II. and was placing the snowy chap
let among the thick dark braids which
bound her forehead. when she was
startled by approaching footsteps: ii
was her father. Has he Gomez said
she, eagerly bounding for~ ard, ami az
suddenly stopping, her cheeks glowing
at her own eaSerness. My chi,d,' said
the old man. in \ trcmulous voice, he
has NOT come She gszcd at him at
tentively. Ills deep grey eyes CLEAN
ed with an unusual expression Of an.
ger, not unmincied with grief. His
high forehead which had once boastc,l
Of its great beauty, now seemed IS if
some uncommon event had pressed out
the wrinkles, and left u clear and
proud rs in youth. TELL me, oil, tell
me- cried the surprised and agi,ated
Ellen, what has happened Is he
dead!' Dead! repeated the old nan !;
dead! No. Ellen-he is a villain. he
- welded To ano;her.' She heard no
more: q wild agonizing shrek floa,ed
ON the calm summer air; bat ere the
sound had ceased, she who uttered IL,
was senseless. Her heath-like brow
pressed the white brink of that deep
fountain where first her vows were
: piighted. One slender hand and round
white arm were immersed in its waters.
and her bridal vestments were spark.
led with the diamond spray. The ago.
Dized parent knelt down by his only
child, and shed Ger her paIlld features
full many a tear Of anguish. One deep
drawn sigh issued from her lips, and
she stood up--pale. faint and lovely as
the genius of the waters. Nut tear
dImmed the diamond brightness of that
dark eye--not liquid drop seemed to
circulate IN that smoo.h cheek aud
blanchcd lip--her pearl white teeth
seemed glued together as she raised
her hand, aud with hurried calmness
unbound tho dripping wreath with
which she had eiitwIned her brow: one
jetty brazil after another WAS untwiated
until the whole beautiful mass fell in
rich abundance over her lovely figure. |
IN speeches. wonder the old man
gazed on his child, a. she twisted her
fingers in one Of tho longest tresses
and tore IL from her head. Take this,
said she in a soul thrilling voice. 1T
il the last gift Of thy child The pa.
rent uHeonsciously received the dark
braid she reached forth: Size gazed
long sBd steadily on the ehapiet of
sn0W.drops bat il was not The fresh 4
flowers that engaged her Attention--lt
vas the wiihered treasured emblem
ris had twined among them. on which
her eve was fixed. Once mere she
raised her hand 80 ii 10 cast Il from her;
arain she drew IL back, and q large
round drop gathered 10 her eye aud
fell on the token Of a faIthless heart.
Give this to him, said she. tell him II Is
the bridal wrcats Of thy daughter, and
an emblem Of hrr faie!' Almost de-
privsd Of motion he took the token. -
She bent Toward. add pressed long
kiss (which seemed 90 breathe forth her
broken heart on che quIveriog lips Of
her parent, ahd gave . saddsa plnags
into the deep blue WstsTs- For q NO
momenl her white r0be was seen on the