Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-07-17
MistrllomroMs.
THE DEATH BRIDAL.

we had been friends from The time we Goa ID
walk or spenk-Claude was her cousin, but
no one knew how well he loved her, till he
was gone, although he had always been fond
or her; but she was the favorite of the whole
parish. When Aline was about sixteen, she
was 10 spend year with some relations in
Geneva.
Claude had never told her that he loved
her; lie was poor, AMI many a Year mast pass
before he could win her. Then they were
both so young, aud perhaps he feared 10 try
his fate. | always think he felt that he was
not long for this world, and he would not
sodden iIer life by any grief that he could
spare iIeI; or perhaps mother Agnace was
right But she was gone and he had not
spOke".
'Before the winter was gone he died. When
he was dead they found on his heart little
case like these people carry charms in; but /;
contained lock of Aline's hair and flower
she had ii EN- him the day she went away
We did not remove it, but laid il with him N
THE grave.
In ihe summer Aline came home. All!
shall never foytt how lovely she looked that
day. The joy Of her return, and our gladneSs
at seeing her again, bad given such lie and
bloom 10 her sweet face. We talked Of one
aud another Of our friends in the mountain,
anl OF all SHE had seen and done while away,
but she never mentioned Claude. AT last,
us evening began 10 fall, she grew restless;
some Of her friends came in, aud among them
Ciauile's sister. A line kissed her. Gould
no. Claude CONT with you after all these
months, said she.
'Loalsa started and was silent, but one ol
the. others said
Did you not know that pour Claude is
dead1'
NY Aiine! shu uttered bnt one cry SO long
nnd bitter that it seemed her life must 60
with il, aud she fell as il dead. ......
II was long before We could bring her 70
hetself, and though all that night she never
slSke one word, but one lain,ing followed
anblher until the morning; then she seemed
10 revive a little, but SO wan she look ed a
mere wreck Of what she was but Yesterday,
and in her eyes shone strange sort OF glitter,
like sunlight reflected from ice, 80 cbld and
bright. Al last she spoke.
.AIargueri,e,' said she taking both my hands,
saw Claude yesterday; do no, start; he stood
by me when fell, and he would have death
bridal, and they can never part us more.'
'Noone parted you, DEAR said |.
'Ah, they diJ-they did, she answ ertd
Ghes knew how happy we should be, and
they tnyied u.s.
How'll asked anxionsly.
She looked anxously al me for moment
aud shook her head without speaking.
'She says what is true,' said mother Agnace
who had come to help us nurse her.
There are malignant spirits who always
Try TO sundeItrue hearts; il they take the lii'
Of Hne, they watch the other; and that othe
must marry the dead IN his grave, or the Spr
It's cast spell upon them, and they can neve
meet after death.
Marguerite said poor Aline, you must G.
to the priest and bring him. | must he ttar
TIed now, as soon aS my wedding dress
iiioue.'
q went TO see Father Bernard, for sb
would no! he satisfied. He said her BRAIN wa
tuthed by the shock, and she must be sootbe
and reasoned out Of the strange fancy. HI
came 20 see her, but after he had made he
understand that be would have her give U
The ideo, she began 10 plead for her purpose 81
tduchingly that at last he ave way.
Poor soulp said he, as he went out, wit
the tears standing in his eyes, 1T is no harm
nhd may give her rest.'
So we arranged oil things for the ceremony
dressed my poor friend for her strange mar
tiage, oil In white, with long veil, and he
bridal crown OF myrtle and while roses on he
head. She toll Father Bern0rd what sh
Would have him dc, with quiet comtospt
strangely belied by her restless glitlering eyes
No one then living had ever seen death bri
dal, though some OF such writes being per
formed long ago. But she seemed 10 know
iniuitiyely, how all should be done. w
iormed in procession al The brlde'S house
hsis customary al weddings, and Proceeded {
The cburch.yard. there she stood al one sid
Of the grave and Father Bernard on the other
she had Two bridal rings-one she wore, th
other she placed on The grave---and kneelin
sl1wn she laid her left hand upon the ring. -
The priest said o player, and those assemble
sang The marriage anthem, and we suppose
this would satisfy her; but sill kueeling, a
soon as 0lr voices had ceased, she uttered 4
clear solemn voice, her marriage vows; nc
"a iie asual words Of our service, but in Ian
guage SO earnest. so full Of paihos, that non
ofus could resitaln our tears. Then rising u
she gave The ring that had been on the gray
10 the priest who put il on her hand, ;nkin
OF her own; they lifted up the head stcn
itom the place, aud she PIT her ring beneal
II. When The stDne was restored 10 its place
she made me lake of the bIidal wreath; th
she hung over the name OF Claude, and SLOW
ly reformed 10 her home. Is
.She seemed feeble ani exhausted, speak in
little during The day. Atnight she called me
Dear Marguerite, be will come for me to
morrow; he has promised
Wien the FIRST sunlight came into ht