Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1855-10-18

long aud bitter that it seemed her life mus
." with it, and she fell as if dead.
1t was long before we could bring her {,
herself, and through all that night she neve
spoke one word, but one fainting followed
another until morning, then she seemed tc
revive little, but so wan she looked! @
mere wreck of what she had been but yester.
day: and in her eyes shone strange sor,
OF glitter, like sunlight reflected from ice. So
cold aid brl sht. AT last she spoke.
Marguerite, said she, taking both my
hands, i saw Claude yesterday; do not start ;
he stood by me when fell; and he told mo
he told me he would have death bridal,
and they can never part US more
No one parted you, DEAR said I.
'Ah! they did-they did,, she answered; ;
they knew how happy we should be, and
they envled u.s.
'How?' | asked, anxiously.
She looked anxlously at me for moment
and shook her head without speaking.
She says what is true, said mother Ag-
mace, who had come to help US nurse her.
There are malignant spirits who always
try to sunder true hearts; if they take the
life of one, they watch the other; and that
other must marry the dead in his grave, or
the spirits will cast spell upon them, and
they can never meet after death
Marguerite, said poor Aline, you must
go to the priest and bring him. must be
married now, as soon as my wedding dress is
made.
went to Father Bernard, for she would
not be satisfied He said her brain was
by the shock, and she must be soothed
and reasoned out Of such strange fancy.
He came to see her, but after he had made
her understand that he would have her give
up the idea, she began to plead for her pur-
pose SO touchingly, that at last he gave
way.
Poor soul! said he, as he went out with
the tears standing in his eyes, it is no harm
and may give her rest
So we arranged all things for the ceremo-
ny. | dressed my poor friend for her strange
all in white, with II long veil and
her bridal crown of mvrtle and white roses
on her head. She told Father Bernard what
she would have him do, with quiet compos-
ure strangely beled by her restless glittering
eyes. No one then living had seen death
bridal, though some of the oldest persons
had heard of such rites being performed long
ago. But she seemed to know, intutively,
how all should be done. We formed in pro-
cesslon at the brides house. as is customary
at weddings, and proceeded to the church,
yard: there she stood at one side of the
grave, and Father Bernard on the other
She had the two bridal rings -one she wore
The other she placed on the grave-and
kneeIng down, she laid her left hand on the
ing
The priest said a prayer, and those assem-
oled sang the marriage anthem, and we sup
posed this would satisfy her; but still kneeI-
ng, as soon as our voices had ceased. she
uttered in clear solemn voice, her mar
Rage vows; not in the usual words of our
service, but in language so earnest, that
none OF us could restrain our tears. Then
Using up. she gave the ring that had been
On the grave to the priest who put it on her
nand, taking off her own; they lifted the
1ead-stone from the place, and she put her
ring beneath it. When the stone was restor-
I'd to its place, she made me take off her
bridal wreath; this she hung over the name
Of Claude, and slowly returned to her home.
She seemed feeble and exhausted, speak
ng little during the day At night she call
I'd me.
Dear Marguerite, he will come for me
o-morrow; he has promised
When the first sunlight came into her
room she opened her eyes-ihey were calm
and peaceful now-and raising her arms,
while smile broke over her face, Claude!
she exclaimed, and her eyes closed forev-
sr, while that bright smile fingered on her
ips.
We laid her beside him, in her bridal
'obes; and every year, when her marriage
lay returns | hang above her grave bridal
wreath Of myrtle and white roses. Poor
AIine!
Happy Alins, softly murmured Vernon.