The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-30
THE FATED RIVAL.
A THRILLINGysToRy.

Edmund, on the morning OF the day On which he
was to lead his Anna to the hymencal altar.
1t was marvel that Edmund exul,ed in
the near approach of the hour which was 10 con.
summate the nuptias of two of the most devoted
lovers the word ever witnessed for Anna was
possessed of every quality, mental and personal,
which could be supposed to administer TO the bliss
OF MN who was forluned TO be her husband. But
independently of Annals abstract destinations.
mere were circumstances which must of them
selves have produced in the breast of Edmund
peculiar attachment to her.
rive sullors had approximately solicited her
hand IN marriage during her courtship with him
ana among these was Melwyn, a neighborng
nnoleman, high in the esteem of his sovereign
But Edmund, though inferior in station to MELVIN
ana each OF his four other rivals, was unhesitat
ing,y and decidedly preferred TO them ALL And
no less fervent was the affection with which he
regarded Anna. His entire existence was bound
up in hers. and the world and life itself. when
weighed in the balance with her, were found 10
be incidentally wanting
The nuptlal morn of the Youthful lovers was
one OF the most congenal and pleasant which ever
burst on The world since its creation II was in
the month of April. The superfices of the earth
was beautifully carpeted with new. born GRASS
the garden, the orchard, the hedge, the planta-
ton, the forest. all smiled in their new COVERINGS
The sun poured forth his beams with more than
wonted profusion, tnging the entire creation with
an exquistey yellow radiance; innumerable
choristers of every species of the singing tribe i'm
parted, by the melody of their warblings, add.
tional charms to that bright morn Nature her
self. in fine, seemed this occasion to be jubilan,
at the approaching nuptials of pair who were so
worthy of each other.
The vassals of Emerson, Annals father, exult
| ed without measure at the circumstance of their
chiettains only daughter being about to be united
to the youth of her choice, and as all were tina I
evening TO participate in the ample festivities of
of the baronnal hall, they atiired themselves in
the best costume of their clan and prepared TO
celebrate the joyous event with all becoming res
pect for their chiefiain and the young bride and
bridegroom.
| The afternoon arrived, and at the hour or five,
| the beautiful bride approached the hymenea altar.
| accompanied by her maids Of honor, and the wives
and daughters of the more respectable of her
fathers vassals. Edmund was present at the ap-
pointed hour, lnxurlating in waking dreams of the
matchess bliss which was about to be sealed from
henceforth TO him. The venerable Abbott of
Kinlo's, man Who was verging on seventy wears
OF age. and whose cOuntenance eloqnenllv dis
coursed of his unaffected piety, stationed himself
beside the interesting couple, and before proceed
ing to 90 through the matrimonial ceremony. he
uttered, with mingled air of mdness and So
lemnty. the usual behest Of" join hands"
The lovers stretched out their respective hands
to each other Annals was white as the unsunned
snow, while her beautiful countenance was suf
| fused with deep blush, indicative of her modes
ty-a blush which, if possible. impaired new
destinations To that unrivalled face. The rev
erend Abbott now commenced the marriage ritual
With nplifted hands. and vsage beamng with
bengnlty, ~ was addressing his prisons to the
being in whose service the greater portion of his
haU hepn inn lie o;,1h
ton on the youthful pair now standing at the al
tar, when arrow from some invincble bow in
fixed itself in his heart. That instant he dropped
on the floor, at the feet of the party who sur
rounded him.
All present were horror.struck at the strange
circumstance, and gazed on each other in mute
amazement, simultaneously listening at the same
time, as if by instinct, in the hope they would
hear such sounds in part of the large hall as
would lead them TO the discovery OF the foeman ;
but the first thing that broke the earth like mo-
menfary silence that prevailed was the expiring
groan of Heavens aged servant The bride
tainted at the appalling scene and while the
bridegroom was In the act of raising her up, Mel.
wyn, attended by host of Myrmidons, sudden
y appeared at the portals Of the hall their flaming
eyes speaking the deeds of blood on which they
were intent.
See TO the protection of Anna = cried Edmund
anu lie clencneu MS dagger IN MS han0. lie
burned to revenge himself on his deadly foe, but
he could not far master mis- feelings of affection
for his bride as to quit her to engage in combat
with Mewyn. Apprised of the presence of the
nnhalowed intruders, the clansmen of Edmund's
virtual father in law rushed to the aid of their
chefain, his daughter, and the bridegroom. The
hall was now crowded with toemen, ranged IN
der two great divisons-each willing and prepar-
ed to shed the last drop Of his blood in the quar-
rel Of their respective chieftans.
The conflict now commenced with the utmost
ferceness on each side the clashng of the instru-
ments of death might have been heard far and
wide, till at length, Overpowed by superior mum
bers, the clansmen of Edmund were almost all
strewed the floor of the hall, either already in
the embraces of death, ur momentary expecting
to be so, from the number and severity of their
wounds. Edmund and Emerson defended Anna
with more than mortal bravery but Melwyn
and his leading vassals at last surrounded them,
wrenching their daggers from them, and conse
qnenty rendered further protection beyond the
compass Of human courage and power.
Spare the two miscreants, referring to En-
erson and Edmund spare the two miscreants
that modification may be their portion cried Mel
wyn, add ressing himself to hssurviving clansmen.
as he seized the affrighed Anna in his arms. and
proceeded with her to the door A steed was
there in waiting, which he mounted, and placing
ma heE,ra him no aIlppod off ,vtb IA, ,,,;,.