The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-04-28

Then she opened her eyes once more
with look Of infinite pity for him. and in a
weak, Whispering voice, said :" Bc strong
TO bear, dear Sclwyn am dying"
He knew il already in his heart, but the
uttered words startled him with shock OF
pain,
GoD help US, Edith; but the surgeon is
here, dear, dear Edith. How is il with
you Can he do nothing p
t. Nothing, Selwyn-noihine. feel il
here, thank God, wi,hou, pain now, bu,
bleeding deep down beyond his reach
Selwynl"
Her eyes sought his with look of holy
Infinite love: a look that passed into his
soul ard rested there, a sweet, sad light.
that cung 10 him through life.
"Sclwyn Wednesday, was 10 have been
the day of our bridal, and-and-I shall
DO in heaven within the hour, Selwyn."
A shudder passed over his frame, but.
with the effort Of giant, he subdued the
outward and visible form of his agony, pres
sed the white hand to his lips, rose on his
feet, and beckoned TO the minister, who had
been sent for with the surgeon, 10 approach.
Then he drew out the ring thar had been
prepared for Wednesday," gave it to him,
and pointed TO Edith. lie then rased her
gently from the bed and passed his aim
round her slender waist. His right hand
hold hers, her pale head rested on his breast,
and her eyes were turned up towards his
with Look MS if her soul was passing to his
own.
The minister opened the book and said
Dearly beloved, we are gathered to.
gelher here in the sight OF God and before
this company. to join together this man and
this woman, in holy marrimony.
" | require and charge you both, (as ye
will answer at the dreadful day Of judg
ment, when the secrets ol all hearts shall be
disclosed that if either Of you know any
impeachment why ye may not be lawfully
joined together in malrimony, ye do now
confess it,
Then the minister continued, and said
Selwyn. wilt thou have this woman TO
be thy wedded wife =? Wilt thou love her.
comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness
and in health, and. forsakng all others, keep
thee only unto her so long a, We both shall
live ?"
Those who were present sobbed aloud
tear nfier tear rolled down the cheeks Of the
minister and Sclwyn groancd, rather than
said, " will"
Tears came to his eyes, also, the first
tears OF bis manhood not tears Of relief,
such as well up from woman's heart no,
they burned their way to his eye>lids, and
left scorched and acrij path.
The minister said again
Edith, wilt thou have this man 10 thy
welded husband =? viii thou obey him and
serve him, love. honor, and keep him in
sickness and in health, and iorsaking all
others, keep thee only unto him so long as ye
both shall live ?"
Edilh's gaze was Withdrawn from Sell
wyn's face she looked al the minister and
closed her eye-lids in token of approval.
she could not speak.
Then the minister joined their hands to-
gether, placed his own upon Them, and said
in solemn tone:
What God hath joined together let mol
man put asunder."
The fair head leaned more heavily against
Selwyn's breast, and he bent down and kis-
sed the pale, white brow Of The soulIess form
before him.
Edith was dead
Selwyn laid her on the bed again, and
stood al her side. His soul seemed TO leave
him in maddened frenzy TO seek his Edith
it seemed TO have left his body still with
consciousness: he felt nuinbed and cold,
and the blood gathered round his heart, but
lent no beat to it thick backness seemed
10 be gathering about him, shutting oui all
things, coming nearer, nearer, and narrow.
er, until it seemed ss il it would crush him
and he wreslled as IA strong man with gi-
ant to throw il off, and as this night>mare
of the soul passed away, and he opened his
eyes again. there lay the cold, marble-Iike
temple which had held his body of holiness,
that God had closed on him forevermore.
Long years have gone since then 10 the
past eternity. Lilile ones, who were pratt.
ling their nursery rhymes, now govern the
hations-Trees, whose green foliage sha-
dcd the forest grounds, rot in old ships on
the ocean. Seeds, then springing from the
earth, now cast their broad shadow over the
fields. Many whose fame echoed from shore
10 shore, and in whose dreams Immortality
had marked them for her own. lie unremem-
bered beneath the sod. A few who sunk
10 unnoted, unhonored graves, now shed
their light over the nations: and once more
we look back hnd see that mankind had
" entertained its angels unawares."
The gay young companions Of the fatal
ride listen 10 the prattle of little ones who
cluster round grandmamma's armchair.
But most OF those who made the mo wing.
living, breathing world" are where The
lapse OF time il unnoied and unknown
where the hour and the thousand year are
alike.
Do you see that o.d man upon whose