American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-02
THE EXPECTANT BRIDE.
From "Hungarian Military Sketches. "
fConcludel.

|
Concluded
The wedding guests were waiting. The
bridegroom was there, in full uniform, glitter
ing with gold, and the beauteous bride in her
graceful robe of white lace. Yet q moment and
she would be his welded wife.
The moment was very long.
The bridegroom awaited his adjutant's re-
turn from the execution. Until then, he would
not approach the altar.
What, if, at the very instant the solemn Yes :.
passed his lips, there reached his ears the rattle
of the life-destroying volley, which he, the
thrice happy lover, had commanded.
What, if, whilst Gods servant implored Hea-
ven's blessings on their union, the angry spirit
of the criminal, invoking vengeance on his
judges head, appeared at the footstool of the
Almighty!
Still no adjutant came.
The bridegroom was uneasy. Yet uneasiel
grew the bride.
Perhaps" she whispered, a. it were better
to postpone the ceremony"
"Or," he replied, "to hasten it."
A foreboding of evil oppressed them both.
And still the adjutant came not Two, three
hours now elapsed beyond the appointed time.
Noon approached-each minute seemed an eter-
nifty.
At last hoofs clattered in the court Hasty
steps and jingling spurs were heard upon the
stairs. All eyes were fixed upon the door.
4 1t opened, the adjutant appeared,
pale, dusty, exhausted, the sweat streaming
over his face.
Remain without" cried the bridegroom ;
You bring message of death; enter not
here!"
!" No message of death do i bring" cried the
| officer hoarsely, but hundred times worse.
| The condemned man has taken the hussars away
with him-all-towaris the Hungarian from
tier. A couple of leagues off they released me
to make my report"
"My horse - shouted the bridegroom, hur
rying madly to the door. But he paused
mady at the sight Of his bride, paler than ever
with terror in his glance.
| "UaH but moment dearest love I" he said,
| clasped her to his breast kissed her, and threw
himself on his horse.
The animal reared beneath him. and would
not leave the court. The rider struck the spurs
sharply into his fanks. Once more he looked
back. There she STOOD the beloved one in
her bridal dress, upon the balcony, and waved
her 'kerchief.
"You will soon be back" she said
She never saw him again.
Forward raced the hussars upon their rapid
coursers-forward, towards the blue noun
tains-ever forward.
Through forest wilderness, over pathless
heaths, uphill and down-eyer forwards to the
distant mountains.
Right and left, steepled cities appeared and
vanished the yesper bells greeted them as they
passed: loudly neighing their horses swept
along-swift, and ever swifter.
Amongst them rode the grey headed man,
guiding them by untrodden paths, over swamp
and moor, through silent groves of pine, for
wards TO the mountains.
In the evening twilight they reached the
banks of a handsome stream. Here and there
on the distant hills glimmer the shepherds
fires beyond those hills lies the Magyars' home,
and in their valleys this stream takes its rise
Here, for the first time, they dismount, to water
their horses in the wave whose source is in their
native land
Whilst the horses sup the cold stream, their
riders strike up that gay and genial song, whose
every note brings memories of home
"Hei auch ich bin dorl geboren,
Wo der Stern dort strahlt"*
Who ever rode so merrily to death.
But the vedettes make sudden signs that some
one comes.
In the distance horseman is seen his steed
vics in swiftness with the wind, his long plume
and laced pelisse stream behind the gold upon
his schako glitters in the red sun-rays
The Captain !" il murmured around.
The hussars mount, draw their sabres, form
line, and when their captain appears in their
front, they offer him the customary salute.
Brcathless with fury and speed, at first he
cannot speak Motionless in front of the line,
his sabre quivering in hand, he is at n loss for
words to express his indignation. Before he
can find them, four husssrs quit the ranks the