The Empire County argus., 1856-09-27
The Bridal Wine Cup.
A HRILLING KETCH.

pledge with wine-pledge with wine," cried the
young aud thoughtless Harvey Wood; pledge with
wine" ran through the crowd
TA3 beautiful bride grew pae-the decisive hour
ha come. She pressed her white hands together,
all the leaves Of her bridal wreath trembled on her
pure brow; her breath came quicker, and her heart
beat wilder.
Yes, Marion, lay aside your scruples for this
once said the Judge, in low tone, going toward
his dtl.fhter, The company expects it. DO not so
sri0uSy infringe upon the rules Of etiquette; in your
own homo act as you please, but in mine for this
once, please me-"
Every eye was turned towards the bridal pair
ILlrions principles were well known Harvey had
be2n coviviast, but Of late his friends had noticed
a change in his manners, and tonight they watched
to see, they sneeringly said, ii he tied down
to WomanS opinion 50 soon.
Pouring Il brmming beaker they held it with
t,mptng smiles toward Marion. She was very pale,
though more composed, and her hard shook not, as
smiling back she gracefully accepted the chrystal
tampter, and raised it to her lips But scarcely had
she done SO, when every hand was arrested by her
piercing exclamation of "Oh how terrble"
" What is it? cried one and all, throngng togeth-
CT. for she had slowly carried the glass at arms
length, and was Xedy regarding it as though it was
some hideous object
Wait" she answered, while an inspired light
shone from her dark eyes, wait, and will tell you
Stt, St aitcu, SLOWLY putting Ouc cWclcu ull0tI
at the sparkling liquid-a sight that beggars all de-
scription and yet listen; will paint it to you, if
can. 1t is lonely spot; tall mountains, crowned
with verdure rise in awful sublimity around river
runs through and bright flowers grow to the waters
edge There is a thick, warm mist, that the sun
seeks vanly to pierce. Trees, lofty and beautiful,
wave to the airy motions of the birds; but there-a
group Of Indians gathers; they fit to and fro with
something like sorrow upon their dark brows And
in their midst lies manly form but his dark check,
how deathly his eyes wild with the titful fire Of te
ver One friend stands beside hm-nay, | should
say kneels; for see, he is powng that poor head on
his breast.
"Genius in ruin-oh the high, holy looking brow,
why should death mark it, and he so young Look
how he throws back the damp curls! See him clasp
his hands Hear his thrilling shrieks of life Mark
how he clutches at the form of his companion, i'm
ploring TO be saved Oh hear him call piteously
his fathers name see him twine his fingers together
as he shreks for his sster-his only sister-the twin
Of his soul-weeping for him in his distant native
land.
"See" she exclaimed while the bridal party
shrank back, the untasted wine trembling in their
grasp, and the Judge fell Overpowered upon his seat
"see, bis arms are lifted to Heaven; he prays how
wildly, for mercy but fever rushes through his veins
The friend beside him is weeping awe-stricken, the
dark men move silently away and leave the dying
and the living together
There was hush in that prlncely parOr broken
only by what seemed a smothered sob from some
manly bosom. The bride stood yet upright with
quvering lip and tears stealing to the outer edge of
her ases. Her beautiful arm had lost its extension
and the glass with its little red troubled waves came
slowly toward the range of her vision. She spoke
again; every lip was mute. Her voice was low,
faint yet awlully distinct she still fixed her sorrow
fal glance upon the wine cup.
3" 1t is evening now; the great white moon is COM
ING up, and its beams lie gently on his forehead He
moves no his eyes set in their sockets dim are
Their piercing gances A; in vain his friends whisper
the name Of father and sister-death--a no soft
hand, no gentle voice to bless and soothe him. His
head sinks back. one cOnvulsive shudder he is
dead."
A groan ran through the assembly, so vivid was
her description, so unearthy her look so inspired
her manner that what she described seemed actually
to have taken place then and there They noticed
also that the bridegroom hid his face in his hands
Gnd was weeping.
Dead she repeated again. her lips nivering
faster and her voice more and more broken; "and
they scoop him gla7e, and there, without shroud
they lay him down in that damp, reekng earth The
only Of proud father, the only idolized brother
of fond sister, And he sleeps to-day in that dis
tant country with no stone to mark the spot. There
he lies-my fathers SONNY own twin brother!-a
victim to the deadly poison Father" she exclaimed,
turning suddenly, while the tears rained down her
beautiful cheeks, father, shall drink it now?"
ihe form OF the old Judge was convused with
agony: lie raised not his head, but in smothered
voice he ialtered-"No no, my child, in Gods name,
no."
She lifted the glittering goblet and letting it fall
suddenly to the floor, it was dashed into thousand
pieces. Many fearful eye watched her movement,