The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1858-12-17

parties sccming 10 act under deep re-.
strsint. II Vaughan noticed this, he ap.
leared not u do ~, but nov and tl,cn
exchanged few civil words with tIs,se
around him, and altogether conducted
himself as one who believed himself u
welcome guest.
Al length. taking mp bottle IL wine
which il was subss-q ucntly remember.
I'd, he for soinc time held IN his hand in
a peculiar way. though it excited no sus.
picion ut the timc--hc said, looking d.
rcctIy Vt the newly welded pair;
Twill you permit mc 10 drink toast
with you,-
Receiving quiet assent, he reached
over, filed their glasses, aud then his
Own.
MY sentiment" he continued, lis one
which know you will not refuse. Here
is happiness through life, and only scpa.
ration by death!
The toast was little singular, and tn.
word dsaM seemed nal apreYos. Wig
should it have been uttered then and
there! II was the last word Of the sen.
tcncc-was pronounced distinctly, tho
without cmphasis--but il unp,casantly
fixed the mind upon what nobody cared
10 think about during wedding feast.
Attention was then drawn to all the
different parties, and the wine WAS drank
in kind Of o,ninous silence, the bride
turning n shade palcr as the ruby liquid
passed her lips. Her glass, however,
and that of her husband, was drained
hut il was noticed that the givcr Of the
toast only slightly wet his lips, and
making some apology for his abstcmi.
Gus habits, set his glass down nearly
foil.
For n few minutes after this, nothing
unusual was perceived. Conversation
in all quarters was resumed, and it was
evident that. in spite Of the new pre-.
scncc, the old feeling IL conviviality
was gradually being restored when
suddenly Mr.. Wallace started up and
called out, in a tone that sent chill to
every heart:
Good God what is the matter with
Helen ?"
The words brought the attention Of
all directly upon her, and more than one
cry If alarm arose ns the different
guests sprung mp in confusion.
The bride was indeed dcathly pale
her eyes were clescd-l,cr beautiful lea.
lures were working almost cnnvulsivcly
and she was gradually sinking back in
her seat and falling thcrcfrom.
Her husband. turning Ia her in alarm,
was in the act II reaching out his arm
10 save her. when he himself was sud
denly seized IN the same terrible man.
ncr aud bath would have fallen togcth.
er, had roS .s,qas,,d tn" =" ."' "'"' 49,"
terrified s,"'.
For few minntes scene Of the wild
est confusion cnsucd. Young aud old
came hurrying mp from the different IA.
bies, and crowding around in horror
and then. in trcmulous. fearful, shud-
dcring whisper, dark words began 10
Acat through the collected crowd, and
gradually swell ont INTO one long, loud,
wild. chilling hcart-picrcing wall.
" THY are poisoned poisoned poisoned =
Then suddenly uprcsc another. a loud
or, aud a wilder ycll--thc out-burs,ing
shrek for vengeance. quick anal terri.
Bile, upon the inhunan author of the dark
and damnahle deed
But he was gonc--Jamcs Vaughan
was gone, amid the awful excitement
and confusion he had suddenly disaIr
pcarcd, Yet hc must not escape the
very earth would groan to held upon her
fair bosom such "A monster
:" All then and there was hurrying
10 and fro" indeed with sounds Of joy
all changed TO shrieks Of woc and
sounds Of mcrrimcnt "a yells IL VEN
ueancc Some ran away in horror.
sosae wrung their hands with irrcpr~ssi.
bio grief, some hurried to seek medical
aid and others flew 10 arm themselves
and follow the tlamnwblc author Of all
this misery.
Wc need not prclong the tale Of woe
Three days later solemn funeral pro-
tc.sion wound slowlythrcagh that mourn.
ing village. following that lovely bride
and her noble husband to their last dark
and narrow M.mc. Hut long ere tlw
clcds of the valley fell ulon their cot.
fins" united in life, and in death not d.
vid.h---tlw breeze II the forest swaycd
t. and fro the dangling body Of the in.
human murderer. whom summary ven
gcancc had ovcrtakcn. and sent. "ail I'M
anointe.i and mnannonnccd," I" his awful
reckoning in tho eternal world