Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-04
EVENING STAR.
A I & a n G ULAg BRIDE
GTruth stranger than Ftetiou

1
dramas In social life of which we have know
ledge The material, which will gradually
unfold itself in the following narrative, COM
blned with the requisite machinery and inter
woven with the fictitious characters necessary
to the artistic development of the plot, would
complete profoundly interesting, if not an
absolute thrilling romance. Our sketch, how
ever, is an unfinished daguerreotype of facts
which recently transpired in one of the most
attractive inland cities Of the .'dark and
bloody ground" and situated not hundred
miles from la Belle Rirtere " We submit
the skeleton, leaving the elaboration and
finishing touches to be woven into dramatic
texture, to artists enjoying more time and
possessing more skill and Imagination than
we can command
| lady, youthful, lovely, accomplished, and
| the daughter Of distinguished Kentuckisp,
enjoying independent competence, imperiously
| comm anded the admiration of the gallants of
the viclnage, and attracted Jealous suitors
from abroad. She was a belle Of almost un-
rivailed charms, and received numerous de-
claratlons OF attachment, many of them ar
dent and sincere. Like most queenIy damsels
| enjoying fortunate positions in the social
world, she was On apt mistress of coquetry,
and welded her resistless sceptre unmerciful-
| ly upon all who ventured within the charmed
radii of her mstchless destinations
| She reigned ruthlessly during a long and
brilliant career, and her reputation for come
| illness and social skill neither waned with the
| lapse of time or her cruel exercise of power,
| but seemed to be promoted without apparent
| ~ approaching elimination, and spIendidly
| illustrated the remOrseless tyranny Of capri
cious passionless beauty. Fatigued at last.
and sated with the common place triumphs of
ordinary coquetry, she introduced, by way of
| episode, the expedient Of engagements to
marry. Not satisfied, however, with the
usual termination of happy courtship, she be-
trothed herself TO two lovers, whom she adroit-
ly managed to keep profoundly ignorant Of
their mutual pretensiOns and expectations.
one sultor was talented young minister, of
ialr possessions. The other gentleman of
"elegant leisure and lord of many broad
acres Both were fitting for the whimsical
beauty, each conscious Of the others devo-
| tion, but, as we have said, mutually unaware
| of their mutual success. The young minister
was favored by the damsel'S father, and was
| accepted by him for the future son -in-law.
Acquainted with the mothers hostility TO
| himself, and conscious of her preference for
| his rival as well conceiving the fathers
consent adequate for the accom- plishment Of
his purpose, and trusting to time and circum-
stances to mitigate her prejuiices, the young
minister forbOre application to her
His rival, meantime, had been accepted by
the mother-who, like himself, was ignorant
Of the young minister's successful negotia-
tiOns-and deeming himself sufficiently iusti
| fed to proceed, and approaching the fathers
Objection to himself, ne, on the other hand, rs
his rival had refrained from submitting his
petition to the mother, neglected his obliga-
tiODs TO the father. The artful complicatiops
| of the daughter we're, thus far, attended with
happiest success, and it is presumabIe she
hugely enjoyed the extraordinary and per.
picking cORtTetemps.
The rivals now became importunate and
solicited the speedy cOnsummation Of the con
templated alliance. Their betrothed how
ever, capriciously vexed and tantalizsd them
to her hearts content, deluding them with al
ternate hopes and promises, like Macheath's
asides to his two sweathearts," but finally
concurred with their ardent petitions and ap-
pointed the same dag, hour, ami place. for
tire solemnt cation Of the triangular bridal
Arrangements were subsequently, made that
added richer space to the eliminating drama
The minister and his betrothed agreed to eel.
ebrate their nuptials quietly, few Of their
mutual friends only being advised. On the
other hand ostentatious preparations were
made for magnificent display. Cards were
dispatched far and near by cur heroine and
the mothers choice, and all the gsllantry and
beauty Of the country were informed of the
approach of the bridal period The absence
of the minister, meantime, facilitated opera
items, and gossipping rumor, strange to say,
failed for once to mar the execution of bril-
liant design. How the parents remained in
ignorance IN the midst of such active prepa-
rations has not been developed, but those ia.
miliar with the inventive wit of spriehtIy
woman will readily imagine the keen diplo-
macy of our heroine, who so successfully man
aged her double intrigue into the crisis of con-
SUNNI alton. Suffice it, that at the denoument
the parents were the most completely con-
founded Of all.
The nuptial eve rolled round Guests a..
sembled in glittering concourse, exuberant in
joyous anticipations, and splendidly decora-
ted The most brilliant vivacity and gayest
confusion prevailed The officiating minister
appeared, and there were bright indications
of the fullest realization of all happy antici.
pations. Moments were fritted in plea SAINT in
terchange Of compliments Beautiful women
vivaciously responded to happy devoirs cf gall
liant gentlemen, and the buz and musical hum
of pleasant voices agreeably confused the
senses, till the minute hand of the parlOr
clock pointed the hour. Expectation now
commanded silence. Curiosity on tip-toe sus-
pended merriment, and only suppressed mur-
murs were heard in intervals of anticipation
The sonOrous bell sounded the hour, and ex-
pectation became intense. Scarcely had the
last echo of the changing clock died away in
silence, when every cheek paled, and every
pulsatiOn Of hearts suspended heavy
sound as of a falling human body, sunken |
with fearful suddenress to the floor, and ac-
companied by wild shrieks of terror, resound-
ing from an adjoining room. A rush as of
hurrying feet, and mingled echo of fearful
exclamations, terrified every heart a moment
before so joyous. There was En- instructive
push forward; the flimsy barrier intercepting
the progress of the Fastening throng gave way,
and spectacle was presented beggaring de-
scription.
A frightened group Of beautiful women,
pale as the snowy robes of the bride, covered
in dismay over the fallen form of a stricken
Co. 81 ~..At
pallid, and lying apparently lifeless in the
centre of the floor. Several gentlemen were
chafpg the temples of the fallen man, while
a fair woman, agitated, but self-possessed,
kneeling at his side, with his head in her lap,
administered powerful restorativss. The bride,
arrsyed in all her transcendent lovelines.,
stood on one side, the lustre Of her brilliant
ccuntenance alternately deepening to carna.
tion, and paling to feecy whiteness, while in
all other respects she seemed calm and un.
moved as an idle spectatress Of a dramatic
scene.
0pposite her stood n venflem drosso3