The true Democrat., 1854-10-04

still more appalling effect Although the seats and side passages were crowded with men, yet the middle aisle was completely empty, and the pastor distinguished, in the midst of it, newly dug grave; the pavement stone which had covered the spot, now lying against the side of a neghboring seat. Men only were to be seen, with the exception of solitary female, whom the old man fancied he could discern in the most distant corner of the church.
 The silence lasted for some minutes; not even the least movement being heard; mean time arose in the soul of the pastor dark and heavy misgiving that some deed of horror was about to be performed.
 At last man rose up, whose magnificent dress distinguished him from the rest, and showed him to be of higher rank. He strode hastily along the empty aisle, while the multi tude gazed upon him, and his steps resounded through the church. He was of middle stature, broad shouldered, and strongly built his mien was naughty; his countenance bronzed with ex- posture to the weather: his hair like the raven; his features strongly marked; and his lips com pressed with angry determination;- igh aqui- line nose increased the hauteur of his aspect, and long bushy eyebrows overshadowed the small and fierce black eyes which gleamed be- meath them. He wore green surcoat, richly
 
 tered star.
 The bride, who now kneeled beside him, was also splendidly dressed:a a blue robe, embroder- ed with silver, enveloped her slender form, and fell in thick folds over her graceful limbs; while diadem, resplendent with jewels, deco- rated her long fair hair. Notwithstanding the change which it was evident had lately passed over her features, beauty and loveliness could ct;l1 v,lo Ivy ha nho oIyc looked as cold and inanimate as those of mar ble statue; not a muscle of her countenance moved, her pale lips seemed dead, her eyes were fixed and glazed as those of corpse, and her arms hung powerless by her sides. Thus she kneeled-a picture of death; and the by islanders might we'll be in doubt whether her overpowering terror had deprived her of con- sciousness or if nature were merely striving to recruit her shattered frame by deep and al- most preternatural slumber
 Now, for the first time, the pastor observed an old and ugly female, attred in fantastic tal-looking costume with blue and red turban on her head; who, with malicious, nay, almost mocking expression, watched the kneel- ingbride Behind the bridegroom, stood dark gigantic man, who seemed to gaze immoveably on vacancy.
 The pastor, whose senses had almost forsa- ken him from terror remained some time silent, until stern glance from the bridegroom re- minded him of the duty he had to perform But what put him into new confusion was the uncertainty whether the bridal pair would un- derstand his language. It was indeed impro- bable; nevertheless, he composed himself and demanded their names.
 "Neander Feodora!" replied the bridegroom, in hoarse voice.
 The old man now began the marriage ser- vice; but his voice quivered; he constantly went wrong, and repeated the same words twice. The kneeling pair, however, took no notice of his confusion, which confirmed him in his pre- vious conjecture that they were either unac- painted with his language, or understood it but imperfectly. When he asked the question, "Neander, wilt thou receive Feodora, who now kneels beside thee, for thy welded wife?" he was doubtful if the bridegroom would under stand him so as to reply; but, to his astonish- ment, the latter pronounced "Yes," so loudly and distinctly, as to ring through the church. Deep grOans issuing on every side from the multitude, accompanied this terrible "Yes," and silent shudder, for the first time set in mo- tion the corpse-like features of the bride. The pastor now turned himself to the latter, and, speaking more loudly, as though he would fain awake her from her death-like slumber, thus addressed her." Feodora, if thou wilt acknow- ledge Neander, now kneeling beside thee, for thy husband, then answer "Yes!' Upon this the inanimate bride seemed to awake, an ex- pression of overpowering terror passed over her countenance, her pale lips quivered, a transient brilliancy gleamed from her eyes, and her bo- som heaved. The "Yes" now sounded like the shriek of anguish from the mouth of dy- ing person, and seemed to find an echo in the involuntary murmur of pity which escaped from the crowd.
 The bride sank insensible into the arms of the malicious old crone behind her, and some minutes passed in the most appalling silence. At last she resumed her place, more dead than alive, and the pastor concluded the service- The bridegroom now arose and led the totter- ing bride towards her former seat, while the old woman and the tall man followed behind. The first companions of the clergyman then re- appeared, and having once more tied a bandage over his eyes, led him with some difficulty through the crowd. When they reached the door, he was pushed out with violence, and left to his solitary meditations, while they bar red and bolted it from within.
 For a few minutes he stood confused, and un- certain whether the late scene of terror, with all the extraordinary circumstances accompanying it, might not be painful dream; but when he had torn the bandage from his eyes, and beheld the church brilliantly illuminated before him, and heard the voices of the multitude within, he could no longer doubt the reality of what had happened. In order to learn the sequel as far as was in his power he now concealed himself in niche on the opposite side of the church; and, while listening here, heard the noise within becoming louder and louder, as though violent contest had arisen. He could distinguish the rough voice of the bridegroom commanding silence in an authoritative manner then long pause ensued-a shot was fired and shriek from woman's voice was heard! There was silence for few moments, which was at last interrupted by the sounds of labor and the noise of spades and other implements, which lasted perhaps about a quarter of an hour. The lights were now extnguished, the murmur of many voices was heard, and the whole multitude rushed out of the church and hastened noisily towards the sea.
 The old pastor upon this, hastened back to- wards his village. He awakened his friends and l neighbors. and related to them the strange and