Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1854-12-09

'stI0d bless you, my daughter, anu
have you in his holy keeping" said the
father, as he gave her his last embrace
sand now farewell -
The last kiss was given, the last part.
inc word was said, the last long look had
been taken, and now the bridal party was
being whirled through the forest on one
of the sweetest mornings of the sweet
month of July.
I 1t was indeed lovely day. Their way
lay through an old road which was SO
rarely travelled that it had become over
grown with grass, among which the thick
dew-drops, glinering in the morning sun,
were scattered like jewels on monarch's
mantle. The birds sang merrly in the
trees, or skipped gaily from branch to
branch, while the gentle signing of the
wind, and the occasional murmur of
brook crossing the road, added TO The ex-
hilarating influences of the hour. The
travellers were all young and happy and
so they gradually forgot the sadness of the
parting hour, and ere they had lraversed
many miles, the green arcades of that love-
ly old forest were ringing with merry
laughter. Suddenly, however, the bride
paused IN her innocent mirth, and while
shade of paleness overspread her cheek,
called the attention of her husband to a
dark cloud, far off on the horizon, ,and yet
gloomicr and denser than the darkest
lhunder-cloud.
"The forest is on fire ~ was his in
slant ejaculation ''think you not so
Charley 2" and he turned TO his grooms-
man.
"Yes-but the mind is not towards us,
and the fire must be miles from our course.
There is no need for alarm, Ellen,' aaid
he, turning to the bride, his sister.
"But our road lies altogether through
the forest" she timidly rejoined, "and
you know there isn't house or cleared
space for miles,"
"Yes-but my dear sis, so long as the
fire keeps its distance, it matters not
whether our road is through the forest or
in the fields. We will drive on briskly,
and before noon you will laugh at your
fears. Your parting from home has wea-
kened your nerves"
No more was said, and for some time
the carriage proceeded in silence. Mean
time the conhagration was evidently
spreading with grea; rapidity. The dark,
dense clouds of smoke, which had a, first
been seen hanging only in one spot, had
now extended in line along the horizon,
gradually edging round so as 10 cut off the
travellers. But this was doue so imper-
ceptbIy, that, for long time, they were
not aware of it, and they had journeyed
at least half an hour before they saw their
danger At length the bride spoke again:
"Surely, dear Edward" she said, ad-
dressing her husband, "the fire is sweep
ing around ahead of us | have been
watching it by yonder blasted pine, and
can see it slowly creeping across the
trunk"
Every eye was instantly turned in the
direction in which she poinled-and her
brother who was driving, invoIuntarily
checked the horses. A look of Gismay
was on each countenance, as they saw the
words of the bride verified. There could
be no doubt that the fire had materially
changed lis bearing since they last spoke,
and now threatened to cut off their escape
altogether.
"I wish, Ellen, we had listened to your
fears, and turned back half an hour ago.
said the brother, owe had better do 1t al
once"
"God help us-that is impossible y
said the husband looking backwards; "the
fire has cut off our relreali'
1t was IS he said. The flames, which
at first had started al poin! several miles
distant and at right angels 10 the road the
party was travelling, had spread ont in
every direction, and, finding the swamp
in the rear of the travellers parched al
mos, to sinder by the drought, had extern
Ged with inconceiyable velocity in that
quarter, so that dense cloud of smoke,
beneath which a dark lurid veil Of fire
surged and coiIed, completely cut of any
re,rograde movement on the part OF the
travellers. This volume of flame, more
over, was evidently moving rapidly IN Pur-
suit. The cheeks even of the male men,
bers of the bridal party turned ashy pale
al the sight.
"There is nothing to do but TO push
on" said the brother; "we will yet clear
the road before the fire reaches IT,"
"And i'll remember" said the hus'
band, ..there is a road branching off 10 the
light, scarce half a mile ahead; we can
gain that easily, when we shall be safe.
Cheer up, ElIen--ihere is no danger.
This is our wedding morn--let me not see