Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-02-16
: Did You not know that poor Claude is no


"Did you not know that poor Claude is no
more ?r
my Alins she uttered but one cry, so
long and bitter that it seemed her life must
go with It, and she fell as If dead
" 1t was long before we could bring her to
herself, and through all that night she never
spoke word, but one fainting followed ano-
ther until morning then she seemed to re-
vive little but so wan she looked mere
wreck Of what she had been the day before,
and in her eyes shone strange glitter like
sunlight reflected from ice, so cold and bright.
At last she spoke
Margaret" said she, taking both my
hands, Il saw Claude yesterday do not
start he stood by me when FELL and he told
me--he would have death bridal, and then
they can never part MS more"
No one parted you DEAR" said /.
All, they did--thcy did, she answered
" they knew how happy we would be, and
they envied u.s."
"Who I" asked anxiously.
She looked cautiously at me for a mo-
ment, 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, il they take the
life Of one, they watch the other and that
other must marry the dead in his grave, or
the spirits viii east spell upon them, and
they can never meet after DEATH"
Margaret said poor Alinc, "you must
go to the priest and bring him. ] must be
married now, as soon as my wcdding-dress is
made"
81 went to Father Bernard, for she would
not be satisfied He said her brain was turn
ed by the shock aud she must be soothed and
reasoned out of such strange fancy. Hccame
to see her but after he had made her under.
stand that he would have her give up the idea,
she began to plead for her purpose so touch
ingly, that al last he gave way
Poor soul y said he as he went out with
the tears standing in his eyes, it's no harm,
and may give her rest"
$50 we arranged things for the ceremony
dressed my poor friend for her strange mar
riage, all in white, with long veil, and the
bridal crown of myrtle and white roses on her
head She told Father Bernard what she
would have him do, with quiet composure
strangely belied by her restless, glittcring
eyes. No one then living had seen death
bridal, though some Of the Oldest persons had
heard Of such rights being performed long
ago. But she seemed to know intutiyely
how all should be done We formed in pro-
cession 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 two bridal rings-one she wore, the
other she placed on the graye--and, kneeling
down, she laid her left hand on the ring.
The priest said prayer, and those assem-
bled sung the marriage anthem and we sup
posed this would satisfy her but, still kncel
ing, as soon as our voices ceased, she uttured,
in clear solemn voice, her marriage VOWS
not in the usual words Of our service, but in
language so earnest, so full Of pathos, thai
none of us could restrain our tears. Then
rising up, she gave the ring that had been on
the grave to the priest, who put it on her
hand, taken off her own; they lifted the
head-stone from its place, and she put her
ring beneathit it. When the stone was restor-
ed to its place she mademe take of her bridal
wreath this she hung over the name Of
Claude, and slowly returned to her home.
She seemed feeble and exhausted, speaking
little during the day At night she called me
Dear Margaret, he will come for me to
morrow he has promised"
"When the first sunlight came into her
room she opened her eyes---they were calm
and peaceful now--and raising her arms, while
happy smile broke over her face, Claude,
she exclaimed, and her eyes closed forever
while that bright smile fingered on her lips.
We laid her beside him, in her brida
robes and ever, when the marriage day re
turns, hang above her grave bridal wreath
of myrtle and white roses. Poor Aline
Happy Aline y softly murmured Yer
non.---Home Journal