Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-03-09
a Gbrilling 5torp.
THE BRIDAL WINE-GLASS.


pledge with wine-pledge with wine,"-
cried the young aud thoughtless Harvey
Wood; pledge with wine;" ran through the
brilliant crowd
The beautiful bride grew pale the decis-
i've hour had come. She pressed her white
hands together and TIE leaves Of the bridal
wreath tretubled on hex pure brow; her breath
came quicker, her heart beat wilder
"Yes, Marion, lay aside your scruples for
this once" said the Judge, in low tone, 60.
ing towards bis daughter, 'the company ex-
pect it; do not so seriously infringe upon the
rules of etiquette; in your home, act as you
please but in mine, for this once, please me-"
Every eye was turned towards the bridal
pair. Marion's principles we're well known.
Henry had been convivialist, but of late his
friends noted the change in his manners, the
difference in his habits-and tonight they
watched him, to see, as they sneeringly said.
if he was tied down to womans opinion SO
soon
Pouring trimming heaker, they held it
with tempting smiles toward Marion. She
was still very pale, though more composed
and her hand shook not, as smiling back, she
gracefully accepted the crystal tempter and
raised it to her lips. But scarcely had she
done so, when every hand was arrested by her
piercing exclamation of "Oh how terrible ~
"What is it ?" cried one and all thronging
together; for she had slowly carried the glass
at arms length, and was ixedly regarding it,
as though it we're some hideous object.
AWAIT" she answered, while an inspired
light shone from her dark eyes, wait aud
will tell you. l see," she added, slowly,
pointing one jewelled finger a: the sparkling
ruby liquid; "a sight that beggars all descrip-
ton; and yet listen-l will paint it for you
If can. 1t is lonely spot; tall mountains
crowned with verdure rise in awful sublimity
around; river runs through, and bright aow-
ers grow on the waters edge. There is a
thick, warm mist, that the sun seeks yainly to
pierce. Trees, lofty and beautiful, wave to
the airy motion Of birds; but there-a group
of Indians gather; they fit to and fro with
something like sorrow upon their dark brows.
And in their midst lies manly form-but
his cheek how deattly, his eye wild with the
ftful fire Of fever. One friend stands beside
him-nay. should say kneels; for see, be is
pillowiug that poor head upon bis breast
Genius in ruins-oh ! the high, holylooking
brow why should death mark it, and he SO
young? Look how be throws back the damp
curls see him clasp bis hands! hear his
thrilling shricks for life mark how he clutch
es at the form Of bis companion. imploring to
be saved Oh. hear him call riteously his
fathers name--see him Irvine his fingers to-
gether as he shrieks for his sister-his only
sister-the twin of his soul--weeping for him
in bis distant native land
.sSee I" she exclaimed. while the BRIDAL
party shrank back. the untasted wine tremb-
ling in their falteripg grasp, and the Judge
fell, overpowerel, upon his seat -"see bis
arms are lifted to heaven--he prays, how wild
". for mercy no. fever rushes through his
veins. The friend beside him is weeping
awe stricken, TIE dark men move silently
away, and leave the living and the dying to.
gether"