Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-11-22
A TRIANGULAR BRIDE!
s'Truth stranger then riction.'

, the facts Of one Of the most extraordinary
dramas in social life of which,we have knowl
edge. The material, which will graduallr
) unfold itself in the following narrative, com
bined with the requisite machinery and in
terwoven with the fictitious characters nee
essary to the artistic development of tht
plot, would complete profoundly interest
ing, if not an absolutely thrilling romance
Our sketch, however, Is ga unfinished da-
guerreotype of facts which recently trans
tpired in one of tie NEST attractive iulanf
cities Of the dark and bloody ground, ans
situated not Il hundred miles from Ia Bell
Ri0tere.' We submit the skeleton, leaving
the elaboration and finishing touches to b,
woven into the dramatic texture to artists
enjoying more time and possessing more
skill and imagination than we can command
A lady, youthful, lovely, accomplished
and the daughter of distinguished hen-
tucRian, enjoying Independent competence,
imperiously commanded the admiration Of
i the gallants Of the yicinage, and attracted
Jealous suitors from abroad. She was a
belle of almost unrivalled charms, and re-
ceived numerous declarations Of attachment,
many Of them ardent and sincere. Like
most Iueenly lamsols enjoying fortunate
positions in the social world, she was 81 apt
mistress of co4uetry, and welded her re-
Isistless seeptre numerically upon all who
lventurcd within the charmed radii of her
matchless destinations.
She reigned ruthlessly during long and
brilliant career, and her reputation for come
illness and social skill neither wanod with
the lapse Of time or her cruel exercise of
power, but seemed to be promoted without
apparently approaching elimination, and
lsplendidly illustrated the remorseless tyran-
my of capricious, passionleSs beauty Fa-
tigued at last, and stated with the common
Iplace triumphs Of ordinary coquetry, she IN
troduced, by way of episode, the expedient
however, with the usual termination of hap
Ipy courtship, she improved upon obtaining
customs by betrothing herself to two lovers,
whom she adroitly managed 70 keep pro-
,foundly ignorant of their mutual professions
and expectations.
One suitor was talented young minister,
of fair possessions. The other 4 gentleman
of elegant leisure, and lord Of many broad
acres. Both tiltMg for the whimsical beauty,
each conscious OF tae others devotion, but,
as we have said, mutually unaware Of their
mutual success. Enc young minister was
favored by the damscls father, and was ae-
cepted By him for the future sen-iu-law-
Acquainted with the mothers hostility to
himself, and conscious of her preference fer
his rival, as well as ceaceiying the fathers
consent adequate fer the accomplishment Of
his purpose, aad trusting to time and cir
cumstqnces to mitigate her prejudiees, the
young minister forbore application to her
His rival, meantime, had been accepted by
tie. mother-who, like himself, was ignor-
ant of the young ministers successful nego-
tiations-and dcoming himself sufficiently
justified to proceed, and approaching her
fathers Injections to hiaset, he, en- The 9TH
er hand, as riYal hs5 RETAINED from submit
ting his petition TO tie mother, neglected his
obligations TO the father. The artful COM
plications Of the daughter Weio thus far at
tended with, happiest success, and it is pre-
sumahle she hugely enjoyed the eetraordina-
~ and perplexing coatretemps.
The rivals now became importnnate and
solicited the speedy eqpsqmnation of the CON
templated alliance. Their betrothod, how
ever capriciously yeyed and tantalized them
to her hearts content, delaains them with
alternate hopes AID promises Ike Macheath's
'asidos to his two sNeelhearts, but finally
concurred with their ardent petitions, and
the same deg, .hoar and piaee
for the solemnt@atioa q tie triangqlo~ Jri-
Dial. Arrangements were consequently made
which added richer space to the eliminating
drama. The minister and his betrothed
agreed TO celebrate their nuptias quietly, a
few of their friends only, bei8g advised =
On the other hand, ostqtatious preparations
were lpade.G5l a magnificent display. Cards
were despatched far and near by our hero
inc, and the mothses ehoila, and all the
gallantry and beauty Of the country were
informed Of the approach Of lie bridal Pc
Rod. The absence Of. .lse minister, mean-
while, facilitated operations, and gossiping
rumor, strange to say, failed for once. How
the parents remained in ignorance in the
midst of active preparations, has ne. yet
but those familiar with tho in-
vcntiye wit Of spril itly woman viii readily
imagine the keen diplomacy Of our heroine,
who so successfully managed her double in
tigue into the crisis Of consummation, Srf-
fec it, that at the donouement lie parents
were the most completely eonlounded OF all.
The nuptial eve rolled around. Guests
assembled in glittering concoWse, exuber-
ant in joyous anticipations, and splendidly
decorated. The most brilliant yiyacity and
e,o1.a.t cnufucion ,revoiln,1 Tho afi piatiDfr