The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1847-09-04

was to be celebrated within two months
and on the coming birthday of the bride
1t was therefore arranged that Ellen
should return with Mr.. W--to-
to take charge of her sisters school for
the remainder Of the term.
The bridal birthday had come. IT had
been ushcrcd in by May morning Of sur
passing loyelincss-the busy hours had
worn away, and now it was nigh sunset,
and neither the bridegroom nor Ellen,
the first bridemaid, had appeared. Yet,
in herneat little chamber sat Lucy, moth
ing doubling, nothing fearing. She was
already clad in a simple white muslin,
and her few bridal adornments lay on the
table beside her. Maria Allen, her sec
ond bridemaid, brlght-eyed afectonate
hearted girl, her chosen friend from
childhood, was arranging to a more
graceful fall the wreath Of light ringlets
which swept her snowy neck. 70 the
anxious inquiries of her companion res
pccting the absent ones, Lucy ever smiled
quietly, and replied ''Oh! something has
happened TO detain them awhile-we
heard from them the other day, and all
was well. They will be here by-and-by
never fearn
Evening came, the guests were all as
semblcd, and yet the bridegroom tar
ried." There were whisperings, surmi-
SEES, and wonderings, and shadow of
anxiety occasionally passed over the fair
face of the bride elect. At last a car
rlage drove rather slowly to the door.
"Thcy are come" cried many voices, and
the next moment the belated bridegroom
and Ellen entered. In reply to the hur-
rlcd and confused inquiries of all around
him, MIR. W muttered something
about unavoidable delay" and stepping
to the sideboard, tossed of a glass Divine
another, and another. The company
stood silent with amazcment. Finally,
a rough old farmer exclaimed, sBettcr
late than never young man; 50 lead out
the bride"
W strobe hastily across the
room, placed himself by Ellen, and took
her hand in his Then without daring
to meet the eye Of any about he said
81 wish to make an eXplanation-I am
under the painful necessity, that is / have
the pleasure to announce that am olyeady
marriott. The lady whom l hold by the
hand is my wife,
Then. turnino in an anoIocat;col MAN.
ner to Mr.. and Mrs. Dntton he added
81 found that had never loved rntiI r
knew your sccoHd daughters
And Tncv, She bo9rl oil with s4r,rco
calmncss. ti,p walked stcaaiIv forwaTd
and confronting her bctraycrs, Terrible
as pale Nemesis himself she stood before
them and her look n;rrced like 4 keen,
cold blade into their false hearts, AS
though toassure herself Of the dread real
ity Of the vision. she laid her hand on
EIlen,s shoulder. and let it Glide down
her arn-but she touched not Edwin
As those cold FINGERS met hers. the UNI
happy wife first Gazcd FIJI into her sis
ter's face and. as she marked the ohastlv
pallor of her check. the dilatcd nostriI.
the qaivcrinr lin. and tbc intensely
mourntul ewes, She covered her own face
with her hands. and hurst into fears,
while the vounc husband awed bv the
terrible silence of her he had wrongod.
gasped for breath. and stoorered back
against the wall. Then. Lncv. clasnino
her hands on her forehead, first
gave voice to her anguish and desnair,
in one fearful cry. which could but rino
forever throuoh 'the sonls Of that cuiliV
pair. and fell in dcatblike swoon At
their feet
After the inscnsible girl had been re-
moved to her chamber, stormy scene
ensucd in the room beneath. The par
ents and guests were alike enraged against
W.; but the tears and prayers his young
wife, the petted beauty and spoiled child
at last softened somewhat the anger ofthe
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