The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-02-21

| his immense fortune he settled exclusively
on his daughter. he also expressed his
intention TO make all fixed and sure by
winding up his mercantile concerns before
! the return of .Alonzo; but no land would
| he purchase; he was aware .that3a -iar- 2
| hereditary es-ss3 in Portugal belonged by
right to the Marquess, which in all pr OBJ
ability he would possess in peace before
he died.
! These Interesting arrangements being
completed, the party were requested to pro-
cee0 to the oratory, the where marriage
ceremony was to take place.
| Both the father and the son felt sad mis-
givings on the subject of the bride herself
and it was with throbbing heart that Al
onzo especially approached the oratory;
his father yet apprehensive of the final
events, whispered emphatlcally, ''SehOr
Josef has performed his part nobly; OH my
son! for my sake stuggle TO support yours
Alonzo pressed his falher's hand but his
heart was to fulLto answer.
Although the day shone brightly through
the arched and srnall-paned windows of
the oratory, it was as usual In Catholic
cha pels on occasions of ceremony, lighted
with great humber OF huge wax candles
feet. Two rows of slaves, male and fe-
male were drawn up on each side; the
priest and witnesses took Itheir stations,
as did Alonzo and the Marquess. Sem
hor Josef had gone for his sister and daugh-
ter.
A few painful minutes elapsed. At
length a scuffie was heard in the passage,
and mon quero! non qaterO!" was
shreked out by weak but shriIi female
voics. A moment afterwards, Senior
Josef appeared with his sister, actually
dragging in a thin, dark, lanky form, that
was making all the opposition it was ca
pable of, by biting, scratching. and scream
ing. The father and aunt were assisted
by four youug mnlatto females, whose
diSordered white dresses, and flowers fall
ling from their heads showed bat too clear
y IN what desperate service they had been
enga ged. The girl herself was dressed
in thlcklv- wor ked Indian muslin, trimmed
with rich lace, but which, according 10 the
Portu guese taste, was nearly as yellow a 5
her own Comp.eXioB; in her ears, and
round her neck, were. clumsily set dia-
monds of great value; her hair they had
attempted to dress in vain; and it fell over
Anger and modification, were deeply
on the conneuanceS of her
father and auut; and all present looked
dIsnayed. But poor Alonzo! his blood
ran cold; he actually sickened-and moth
ing but the imploring look of his farher
prevented hTm2rushing from the oratory-
When fairly placed iii the centre of the
circle, the girl shook her self free. and
threw back her drbrdered hair; she was
painting with rage and exerticn, evidently
beyond her strencga; she glanced first on
the Marques, and atien .urnd her eyes
steadily on Alonzo. Every one was won
derlng what would happen next; when to
their surprise and relief, after long and
Childish stare, she stepped up quietly and
placed herself beside him. The priest,
who knew her well, lost not the favorable
moclent, and instantly commenced the
| service. She went through it with per-
feet composuIe, every now and then
turning round to look at her companion
Once did Alonzo raise his eyes to meet
hers-but has fell, as if avoiding the gaze
| ola hasllrsk; he vsibly shrunk, as he
touched her cold and skinny hand-in
short, he could not conceal the agony he
suffered. Nevertheless, the ceremony
came to Its conclusion, and with sort of
convulsive effort he turned to salute his
bride. But she had already reached the
door mo one thought proper to prevent
her)-there she stopped, and once again
fixed her very large. black, and fearfulv
brilliant eyes upon Alonzo; their expers-
sion was changed, it was no longer the
same as at the altar; but what that ex-
preston was, Alonzo. though haunted by
1t for years after, could never make out.
The party left the oratory The Mar
guess was the first to recover his compo-
sure, and conversed freely on Indifferent
! topics until dinner was announced. Sen
bora Theresa made an apology for her
niece, who, she said, was too unwell to
join them. They sat down TO a repast
more abundant than elegant: and the gloom
quickly disappeared from every counte-
| nance but one. e
In the evening the fathers had long
conference over their coffee; and Alonzo,
, availing himself of the excuse his intended
early ssembarkation provided, retired for
the night to his chamber.
After light and hurried breakfast OH
the following morning, he prepared to
depart. The Senhora expressed her deep
regret that Isabella was not sufficiently
recovered, after the agitatng scene of the