The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-06-26

they could not very we'll help seeing me-
l was rather surprised at this, but suppos-
ing it was one Of aunt Deb's church ar
rangements, with which never meddled
lay still, waiting to see what would turn
up. Presently strange minister, whose
long white hair foated freely over his still
stand at the end of the room, and almost
at the same moment six couples entered
and approaching him, fled off to the right
and left. This looked marvellously like a
marriage WAS to take place. Several of the
gentlemen were my own friends, but did
not know one Of the ladies. 1t was high
time that l should know what sort Of ca
pers were about to be cut, so unexpectedly
to me, in my own house; so, laying down
the Juvenal, patted Una on the head to
keep her quiet, and was about to advance
towards my company, when saw aunt
Deb standing at the door of the room l
was in, beckoning to me. AS a matter of
course went to her, feeling sure that she
understood and could tell me the how and
why of this strange procedure.
Brownie is waiting for you, George"
said aunt Deb, in low tone, rs young
lady in bridal dress and veil stepped through
the door, and stood before me.
She was indeed lovely. lair Of that
| rich, lustrous brown, which is the most
beautiful in the world-a clear semi bru-
net.e, with nut-brown tint mingling with
the warm blood in her cheek-a large, full,
| dark blue eye-a little active figure, yet
round and exquisite in proportion, and a
mobility of feature, which telegraphed in
the face every feeling as rsPidly as it en-
| tered the heart. She was such woman
as had never seen before, and cannot re-.
member that 1 had ever imagined. In
stinctively | extended my hand to her, and
when hers met mine there was something
in its clasp wholly new TO me. 1t seemed
to wrap around mine, and the two hands
rs it were to be absorbed by each other.
Almost unconscious of what was doing,
and controlled by some influence, | know
not what, placed her hand upon my arm,
and, with my eyes fixed on her, we advan.
ced to the minister and took our places be
tore hun. The solemn marriage ritual of
the Episcopal church proceeded, made more
solemn still by the deep pathos of the cid
bishops voice, and |, George, pledged MY
faith to her, Brownie, under the solemn
sanction of the church. | lifted her veil
and pressed my lips to hers. | had kissed
bright lips before, many time, but never
as now. There was something there, |
have often since striven in vain TO know
what, the memory of which will cling to
me forever. 1t seemed as f a new soul
was entering into nay soul, and mingling
with it, and theneeforward my heng was TO
be different AMI dual was about 10 fold
her ia my arms, to take her as mine. AS a
part of myself, When a strange smilc came
across the old bishops face, and separating
US with his hand, he said quietly:
Not yet, George, not yet. You arc
hers, and she is yours; but you must love
her much more, and wish for her much
longer. before you can possess her"
objected and argued in vain. To all |
urged the bishop replied only with this
strange, cold smile, while the bridal cor
tege closed round my wife, am, slowly fol.
lowed the bishop from the room, leaving
me astounded and half stupifed in the
middle of the floor. Aunt Deb closed the
procession. As she passed out of the door
| she stopped moment, faced round to me
and said, with a queer look on her face
Some of these days, George, some of
these days"
The lights went out one by one, leaving
me there. The night air grew chill and
damp around me. Una whined pteously
and rubbed herself tremulously against nv
knees, till she half reused me from nv
siapor. aud l went up to nay chamber,
puzzled, pestered, and sadly out of humor.
| thought over the awkward position in
which was, as well as my confused facul-
ties would permit, and finally went to s'eep,
| with distinct determination 10 fud out in
the morning whether was really and le.
gaIly married to Brownie, and if was, to
have her back in spite Of all the bishops in
the universe.
"Whats the matter now?" exclaimed,
half asleep, as | found myselfroughly sha.
ken.
Time you was gettn up, Mass George.
Bote bells dun ring. Miss Deb, she dun
bin waitin brekfas for you long lime-she
say, p lase cum," grunted jim, young eb-
ony of dozen years, whom the butler had
taken TO keep in the dining room.
'ls Miss Deb at tablet" yawned /.
Yes, sir, she is SO, been dar ever so long;
| reckon she DIM sot down and got up
again dozen times. You aint sick, nor
nothin, is you, Mass Georgel"
Who else is at table with her, Jiml"
"Der aint nobody else. Der aint nobody
else fur TO be dar, 'ceptn you. Git up,
Mass George"
"Where are all those people who were
here last nightl'
"Well, dere warn't nobody here, as |
knows on, 'ceptin you and Miss Deb. Mass
Corke be cum up to the house arter sunset,
but he never cum in. All dem people
well, | declare, you's dream agin, Mass
George. Git up 70 you git fast asleep"
Dreaming! Well may be am, but I'll
soon see; and. making my toilet as rapidly
as | could, | went down determined IN