Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-06-09

wrapped In their white cloaks wal ked on with
out speaking, and with rapid steps through the
dreary, sandy plain, whilst he YEARLY and tho't-
fully followed after. When they had reached
the church bandage was fastened over his eyes.
He heard the side door, with which he was well
acquainted, open grating on its hinges, and he
felt himself thrust in by force, amid a great
crowd of people. He heard mumur through
the whole church, and in his immediate neigh
borhood a language spoken which was totally
unknown to him. He imagined it to be Russ.
He stood with his bandaged eyes pressed on all
sides by the throng, helpless and in great per-
plexity, when all at once he was seized upon by
| hand and drawn forward with force thro' the
| crowd. At length, as it appeared to him, the
| throng of people withdrew, and the bandage
was removed from his eyes. He recognised
one of his attendants, and found himself stand
ing before the altar. A row of immense burn
ing tapers in magnificent silver candlesticks
ornamented the altar; the church itself was so
brightly illuminated by many lights which the
distant object was discernable, and as, but a
few moments before. when his eyes were bound,
the murmur of the dense crowd through which
he was thrust was feaful to him, so also did now
the awful silence of this same throng fill his
terrified soul with horror. Although the side
aisles and benches were Glossy occupied by
men, still the middle aisle was perfectly empty,
and the preacher saw here newly opened vault
The stone which lad hitherto covered it was
reared up against chair. The preacher saw
around him none but men, yet still in the far
distance he thought he could discern the form
Of woman seated in a chair. The profound
stiffness lasted for some minutes without any
one breaking it.
At length a man arose whose magnificent at
tire distinguished him from all the rest, and be-
trayed his high rank. He stepped hastily along
the empty aisle whilst the crowd gaze at him,
and his footsteps echoed through the church,
The man was of middle height, broad shoulder
ed, and of firm athletic build; his step was
naughty; his countenance was of dark hue;
his hair raven-black; the features strongly mar
ked; the lips compressed as if with anger; his
nose of q bold aquiline cut, added to the impe-
robustness of his expression, whilst thick and
dark eyebrows Swallowed the small black eyes
in which burned wild rage. He wore green
dress ornamented with heavy gold buttons, and
on his breast shOne a star. The bride who
knelt beside him was splenddy dressed, nay,
even with great care. A sky-blue robe richly
embroidered with silver, enveloped her slender
form, and fell in large folds around her graceful
limbs. A crclet Of diamonds ornamented her
fair hair. The utmost grace and beauty exhib-
tied themselves in her otherwise disfigured coun-
tenance. The corpse-like cheeks seemed pet
rifed; not feature moved; the lips of ashy
whteness appeared dead; the eyes expression
less, and the powerless arms hung down each
side of the dropping body. Thus knelt she, an
Image of death, and an overwhelming horror
seemed to have locked both life and conscious
ness in stupor.
The preacher how for the first time perceiv-
ed an ugly old woman in a whimsical, gay col
ored dress, whose head was covered with red
turban, and who looked about grimIy and yet
jeerngIy above the head of the kneeling bride.
Behind the bridegroom stood man of gig antic
size and with dark aspect, who looked straight
before him with grave and immovable express
sion.
The preacher, paralized by horror, remained
silent for some time, till wild glance from the
bridegroom admonished him to commence the
ceremony. That which increased his pefplexity
still more was the uncertainty as to whether
the bridal pair understood his language; he
thought it probable that they did not. He
however. collected himself and made the at
tempt by inquiring from the bridegroom his own
and the name of his bride, alexander and Eco
dora," replied he in a stern voice.
The preacher now commenced to read the
marriage formula, whilst his voice faltered, and
he lost himself so frequently that he was obli-
ged to repeat the words, yet still neither of the
bridal pair appeared to notice his bewilderment
so that his conjecture that they were not fully
acquainted with the language became only the
more confirmed. When he asked therefore,
swift thou, Neander, acknowledge as thy law
fully welded wife, Fedora, who kneels here at
my sde!'' he doubted whether the bridegroom
clearly understanding, would reply; but to his
astonishnent, he replied, "Yes,'' in fearfully,
yelling tone, which seemed to ring through the
whole church. Deep signs which proceeded
from the attendant crowd accompanied that
horrible "yes," and silent shudder, like
lightning flash, agitated the deathly pale fea-
lures of the bride. He then turned himself round
and as if he would awaken the bride from her
deathly stupor, asked loud voice, off thou,
Fedora, wilt acknowledge as thy lawfully wed
ded husband, Ncander, who kneels by thee,
then reply IN an audible "yesf'
With that the almost dead bride seemed to
arouse herself; deep sorrow agitated her re-