The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-21

"fes, was wrong, Zoe, my little mentor. Bat
! Zoe, thank God that, like me, you are alone ia
the world, and So are sure that your spirit will
never be wounded your heart never bruised for
none but those we love have power TO break the
spirit or crush the heart, Zoep
Mr.. Stuart Gordon, with his attendants, await
your leisure, Miss Armstrong coldly announced
| Mrs Armstrong, AS she swung open the chamber
door, and stood among them.
Let them enter said the bride in a low voice,
repealed and chilled by the GOODNESS Of her
mother.
| Britannia, lining the elegant veil from the
chair, throwing il over the head and form OF
Louise, gracefully arranged it, and soon the little
party were marshalled down stairs, and into the
saloon.
Owing to the frightful tempestuousness of the
weather, the vast saloon very sparsely sprink-
led with company.
"What beautiful coupler "What q we'll
matched pair! !" so youthful" $50 interest.
ing p How handsome is Louis = How pretty
is Louiselp "What an elegant bridegroom 81
What lovely bride y were the whispered words
of admiration that greeted their earee.
Us the brffaS grcup took It's si,siSaia shs naiS-
die of the floor, the company arose and gathered
around The service commenced-it went on
amid the bowling of the storm that drowned the
responses-it was over The white hands Of Su-
san Somerville reverently raised the gorgeous veil
from the head Of the bride, and carried it away
and no one noticed how pale and i'll was Miss
Somerville, while friends and neighbors crowded
around to congratulate Z" Mrs. Stuart g ordonn
What grand name for such little body -
whispered Zoe, laughipgly, to Britannia.
Yes: and what fierce name Lion would be
for such gentle little love as you, Zoe!'
Zoe crimsoned, and skunk away behind the am
pie folds of Mrs. Armstrong; purple velvet gown.
General Stuart-Gordon advanced at this mo-
ment to offer his congratulations to his son and
daughter-in.law, and met the bright face of Miss
O'Riley, while the smile and glance of mirth still
| fingered there With deep bow to Brightly, be
addressed himself to the fair bride,
The newly-married pair now took their seats
| with their attendants.
1t was now that Brutus Lion and his sister
Gertrude beg their pardon, Mr.. and Miss
| Lion Of The Lair-adyanced TO pay their compli-
ments. BTntus, in his new suit of Lincoln green
;.s s;5t 52ttonF his eli is1SEs SSt Ia assszS Sni
| pomatumed and Gertrude, looking like the Queen
! of the Amazons, with her mazarine blue satin and
her rolling yellow hsir-or yellow NAME as Bru-
tus the brute called it-with her rolling yellow
hair gathered into huge knot, aud pierced and
held by long jeweled arrow.
| " Mr.. and Mrs Stuart G ordon salute your
higbnesses! You sit there as calmly as though
something astounding had not just happened to
you! especially refer to Mrs. Stuart-Gordon.
This little creaturen and here the golden-hared
Amazo n took the delicate and white gloved hand of
Louise in her own, "this little one, was this
morning Louise "a little girl to be snubbed by
her wsiting-msid, scolded by her goyerness, and
lectured by mamma; this evening she is Mrs.
Stuart G ordop Stupendous Louise can you
bear it2 declare to you, Louise that there is
not a young lady present who could not support
your honors with more imposing dignity than
you do! Myself for instance! | am tall and
strong, and and could sustain the burden of a
great name! And Brightly there! ! assert that
Brightly seemed horn to be the mistress of the
Isle of Rays! Why, even Susan Somervile
would look Mrs Stuart-Go better than you
do little one though Susan Somerville will
make Virginia matron of the first class and of
the most approved stamp, Where is Susan Yes
where il she2 have not seen her since she rails
ed the veil from your head, Louise ~
ayes where is Susan, love ~ whispered Louis
to Louise.
81 do not know. win send and see Miss
Dow-, VIII you seen Miss 35ussz7ifsof" --
Zoe sprang to obey, but Britannia by a sudden
! thought caught her arm, arrestiug her fight, and
saying :.
"Stop-Miss Somerville carried off your veil
In the mean while, where was Susan Somer
ville2 All through the day, all through the toile
of Louise, she had sustained herself by an slmos
superhuman exertion Of will She had thought
herself prepared by steady and firm anticipation
for the meeting with Louis; but ut the first sight
of his face the first sound of his voice. her courage
had forsaksa hsr.-All through the ceremony she
stood her brain Keeling, her heart sinking, her
limbs failing under her; yet she stood seemingly
very quiet so calm and white the habitual sty
of her face. said that the marriage of Louis was
thef uneral Of her happiness Each word Of the
ritual that severed her forever from Louis fell
upon her ears like the reiterated blows by which
limb might be slowly and painfully cut off-fell
upon her heart like clods upon coffin lid. At
the conclusion Of the ceremony she felt her senses
gong-the scene all mingled into chaos and swan
before her sght--a confused and painful flashing
Of lights and CHANGING of eyes, and glittering of
trinkets--a confused clasbing Of sounds, where
grlish laughter, mingled with deep-toned, heart
felt-woris Of sympathy, and with moaning Of the
storm without-pressed in upon her brain. To
save herself and with last effort of selfcontrol,
she raised the veil from the brow Of the BRIDE and
bore it away. Falterng through the long pas
sages, and up the great staircase, she found her
room A little fire was burning there, and dim
taper was standing on the mantel-piece. Anna
was seated by the fire. Unheeding this, che ap-
preached the side Of the bed sank down upon her
knees, dropped the veil upon the bed, her arms
upon the veil, and her head upon her arms, and
unconsciously gave way to q succession Of low,
deep moans like one in acute bodily pain might
do-reproaching herself bitterly the while for the
sin and shame of her present suferings rap
was heard at the door, but Susan did not heed
it. Anna went to the door. 1t was Mrs Arm
strong
ais Miss Somerville in her chamber ~
eyes, madam and as soon asshe has arranged
her dress she will return to the saloon Anna has
tened to say, in order to prevent questions.
Let Miss Somervie know that we await her
presence to commence the quadrilles,D said the
lady. and turned and left the passage. -
"Miss Somcrville," murmured Anna, softly
near the ear Of Susan.
The poor girl started, blushcd and, rising in
confusion, she crossed the ROOM and seated her
self in the chair by the fire, unconsciously and
without replying.
Miss Susan, Mrs. Armstrong has sent for you.
They expect you In the saloon"
TO BE CONTINUED