The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-09-24

ing US with the bride. How beautiful and
pure she looked in the simple dress that
had exhausted all the money which her
mother had boarded UP for the winter in
the purchase. The black hair which she
usually wore twisted in one heavy woof
over her head, was now divided into three
rich braids, and knotted together on one
side, just back Of the ear by single rose.
Another bud with the blush leaves Just
bursting asundet, lay within the folds OF
sheer muslin that covered her BOSOM
When she placed it there, Lida's cheek
grew pale. and her hands began to trem-
BILE for that moment she heard Gilbert's
step in the next room. 1t was instantly
drowned by the voices of Miss Warner
and the mlliner, both in high and cheer
full conversation. The sound only caused
our friend 10 tremble more. But when her
mother came into the room, folded her in
kind embrace, and led her toward the
young man who came forward to receive
her, soft blush over her cheek, and her
fingers wove themselves in his confidently
as if she had nothing to fear, and yet could
not help trembling all the time.
"Be kind to my child" said the washer
woman gently; "when was married to
her father, he was prosperous, happy and
proud as you are. He died and left me
in poverty. His child has never heard a
rash word beneath this humble roof-be
gentle to her as have BEEN"
The old woman sat down, and, bending
her head, began to smooth the folds of her
faded silk dress, and thus she tried TO con-
ceal the tears that her own words had un.
locked.
Gilbert did not answer, but his cheek
turned shade paler, and he bent his eyes
almost sternly on the two females who
urged him into his present embarrassing
position.
| The young student arose. He had
been wisely chosen by the plotters, for
never was clerical dignity, more thorough
ly put on. He looked serious and earn.
est enough to have deceived more suspi-
cious persons than Ida and her honest
hearted mother. He pronounced the cer-
emony with impressive solemnity-so i'm
pressive that Miss Warner and her coni-
panion could hardly suppress their laugh
ter at his successful acting.
The young couple sat down. Lda
} pale. confused, trembling; but Gilbert sal
mo,ionless and with his eyes bent stead.
lastly on the two females who were lit.
tie nearer the door. Miss Warner seem.
ed striving to suppress her mirth till the
proper time, and slight giggle now and
then broke from the milliner at the success
Of their joke.
The washer-woman arose and brought
forth cakes and wine. Ida could not
taste drop. but she touched her lips to
the glass. while Gilbert drained his to the
bottom. The miliner was compelled to
set her wine on the table, to conceal the
laughter which shook her hand.-while
Miss Warner drank to the bride.
Sand now" said the young lady, set
ting down her glass. and dusting the
crumbs OF cake from her white gloves, "as
our amusement is over for the evening. we
will return home, if you are ready, Mr.,
Gilbert"
Ida lifted her eyes almost in terror to
| VIC iIdu WlOlu SilC DciCNCu W Uc llcl lluo-
band, while the washer-woman arose from
her seat and looked Miss Warner keenly
in the face.
"You need not look at me so voracious.
ly, my good woman" said the unfeeling
girl; "if | have lent Mr.. Gilbert to Miss
Lida here, il was for our mutual amuse-
ment; but play cannot last forever; it is
getting dark; we must go home again."
"Very much delighted with our little
party" chimed in Miss Smith; "if you
ever get up wedding in earnest, this
would be delicate pattern. | trust she
will not feel so exalted that she cannot
come to her work in the morning.
| The washer.woman was deadly pale;
she raised her hand as if to enforce ST..
lence on the aippant mockery with which
she was insulted, and stepping pace
forward, was about to address the man
who had violated her home; but Ida had
risen to her Ieet, and would have fallen,
but Gilbert reached forth his arm, and
drawing her to his bosom, kissed her fore.
head and her pale lips, while he trembled
from head 10 foot.
"What means this?" exclaimed Miss
Warner. grasping his arm in passionate
amazement; "what means this, IN my
presence, sir?"
"It MEANS" said Gilbert, lifting his
head and looking firmly around, "itmeans
that she is my wife, my own beloved and
welded wife, before God and in the sight
of man! Weak, wicked girl; did you be-
lieve me so base, so utterly devoid Of all
manhood, that should lend myself to a
+ plot so atrocious! loved you, Louisa,
f at least thought so! and when | was
flung into the society of creature SO
good and lovely as this young girl, who is
: my wife, felt that your fears were wei
founded, that my allegiance TO yoursel
was in danger; | consented as an honor
J able man should, to see her no more
+ You were not satisfied with this submis
siol TO Just demandAbnt would have