Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-10-03
THE BRIDAL WINE GLASS.
By MARY A. pRNIsoN.

VIA SAAS SGN"Ns Il
The beautiful bride grew pale-the de.
cisive hour had come. She pressed heE
white hands together, and then the leaves
of the bridal wreath trembled on her
pure brow her head beat wilder.
" Yes, Marion, lay aside your scruples
For this once," said the Judge in low
tone, going towards his daughter, "the
company expect it; do not so seriously
infringe upon the rules Of etiquette in
your own home act as you please; but in
mine, for this once. please 1ss."
Every eye was towards the bridal pair.
Marion's princi pies were we'll known.
Henry had been conViVialist, bat Of late
his friends noted the change in his man
ners, the difference in his habits-snd to-
night they watched him to see as they
sneeringly said, if he was tied down to q
wOman's opinions soon.
Pouring brimming beaker, they held
it with tempting smiles towards Marion.
She was still very pale, though more
composed; and her hand shook not, as
smiling back, she gracefully accepted the
crystal :empter, and raised it to hsr lips.
But scarcely had she done so, when eyc-
ry hand was arrested by her piercing ex-
clamation of"Oh how terrible J."
"What is it?'' cried one and all,
thronging together for she had slowly
carried the glass at arms length, and was
6xediy regarding it as though it was some
hideous object.
"Wait," she answered. while an in>
spred light shone from her dark eyes,
q wait, and l will tell you" II see,"
she added. slowly, pointing one jeweled
finger at the sparkling ruby liquid
sight that beggars all description and yet
listen-I will paint it for you, if l can. It
Is lonely spot tail mountains crowned
Nth verdure rise with awful sublimity
around river runs through, and bright
flowers grow to the waters edge, There
is thick warm mist that the sun seeks
vainly to pierce. Trees lofty and beauti>
ful. wave to the airy motion of the 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 bis
cheek how deathly, his eye wild with the
Etfui FIRE of fever. One friend stands be-
side him-nay, should say neels; for
sec, he is Pillowiog that poor head upon
his breast.
Genius ia ruins-oh the high, holy>
looking brow why should death mark
it, and he SO young ? Look how he
thows back the dark curls see him clasp
his hands hear his thrilling shrieks for
life mark how he clutches at the form Of
his companion, imploring to be saved.
! Oh ! hear him call piteously, his fathers
nane-see him :wine his fingers togeth-
er as he shrieks for his sister-his only
sister-.the twin of his soul--weeping
for him in his distent native land.
g See !'' she exclaimed while the bri.
dal party shrank back, the untasted wine
trembling in their faltering grasp, aud the
Judge fell, Overpowered, upon his seat
- see! his arms are lifted TO heaven-he
prays, how wildly, for mercy! hot fever
rushes through his veins. The friend be-
side him is weeping awe>stricken. the
dark men move silently away, and leave
tao living and the dying together"
There was hush in that prncely par
lor, broken only by what seemed a Rmoth-
cred sob from some manly bosom. The
bride stood yet upright, with quivering
lip and tears stealing to the outward
edge Of her Iashes. Her beautiful arm
had lost its tension, and the glass with its
little troubled red waves, came slowly
towards the range of her vision. She
spoke again /; every lip was mute. Her
voice was low, faint, yet awfully distinct;
She still fixed her sOrrOwful glance upon
the wine cup.
1t is evening now. the great white
moon is coming up, and its beams lay
gently on his forehead. He moves not
his eyes are set in their sockets dim are
, their piercing glances in vain his friend
whispers the name of his father and sis
ter death is there. Death-and no
soft hand, no gentle voice to bless and
sooth him. His head sinks back one
s convulsive shudder ! he is dead !'
A groan ran through the assembly, sc
: vivid was her description, 80 unearthlJ
! her look. so inspired her manner-tha
S what she described seemed actually tc
= have taken place, then and there. They
e noticed also that the bridegroom hid hi
E face in his hands, and was weeping.
:" Dead y she repeated again, hel
lips quiyering faster, and her voice
r more and more broken; and there
E they scoop him a grave and there
e without q shroud they lay him down il
: that damp, reeking earth. The only sor
ola proud father-the only the idOlized
e brother of fond sister. And he Sleep
Il to-day in that distant country, with nj
s stone to mark the spot. There he lies
! my Jather's sonny own taOin brother i
!. a victim to this deadly poison. Father
e she exclaimed. turning suddenly. Will
p the tears rained down her beautiful
8 cheeks; Father, shall drink it now 2
: The form of the Judge was, convulse'
with agony. He raised not his head, bu
in a smothering voice he faltered-"Nc
: no, my child. in Gods name-no."
2. She lifted the glitteriDg goblet. and let