Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1858-08-26
The Foar Piles 81 Geld Rtnxs; or
The v0iee ~ Old TIsMe.

IL WAS WIN n1lnHIcu ieeHngs tnat MAriof
Ellesmere retired TO her room the nigh
before her wedding. A light cloud Of self
reproach rested on her mind cloud Sc
light that she scarcely knew from whenc,
it rose, or would have been aware Of il,
presence, but for the shadow which il cas-
over her spirits. Her sisters smile. as sb,
bade her good night, had been all bright
ne.s-wby should there be less joy in th.
heart Of the bride of Atberton? Will
her long fair hair over her shoulders, and
her eyes shaded by her hand, Marion sal
in her own arm chair, aud gave herself uI
to thought.
orrow!-day long hoped for, and
yet half dreaded. am, at last. indeed
on the eve of that great change which
must alter the whole current Of my life
What new duties what responsibilities
But he will ever be near to guide, to en-
courage, to make the path Of duty delight.
full to me. ! shall lean on him, and trus
hin. am indeed the most blessed ol
women in bis love. ! would not change
my lot, no, not to be empress Of the world
And yet" Marion heayed deep sigh
then almost started at the sound of thai
sigh, alone as she was, with the still night
around her; the color rose to her cheek
as if in Indignation to herself" and vet
| an not worthy to be his wife {! He
whose spirit is SO pure, so lofty, so far -.
bove the world and its vani,ies, could ii
ties, or riches, or anything raise him
When am beside him, how deeply feel
this. j seem to breathe q purer atmos
Phere, to see things as they really are
but when l am surrounded by others, then
i know not how it is-but there is an
influence which they exercise, an almost
Insensible power trihes move me.
know them TO be folly and vanity, vet
cannot dcsPise them as ought to do
oh how weak l am-how worldly-how
unworthy Of him" Marion sank back on
her chair, and her long lashes were moist
with her tears.
She sat long; her light burned low, every
sound il, the house was s,illed. Presently
the walls Of her apartment seemed to re.
cede around her, with the strange indis.
tInctness Of a dissolying view marble pill
lars arose on either side. gradually assn
ming fortn and size, while the carpe; upon
which Marion's feet had rested, spread
into wide pavement of mosaic. And
Marion was no longer alone; a strange
form was beside her, of more than human
stature, and mien unlike that of mortal
man. His long silver hair gave to him the
appearance Of age; but an unearthly fire
gaowed in his deep set eyes, from beneath
the white eyebrows which oserhung them.
His dress was dim and indistinct, ever
changing in form and hue now dark as
the lowering thunder cloud. now like the
white mist which curls round the noun
tain, anon tingeJ as with the dying tints
OF the rainbow. In his hand the old man
grasped scytbe, sharp and glittering.
Marion felt that she was in the presence
Of old Time.
=" Look there !" he exclaimed; and the
strange tones of his voice sounded like the
wind through the arches of ruin. Ma.
rion beheld before her what appeared
white altar Of marble, sculptured and fes
tooned with many colored flowers, of
fragrance not like those of earth.
" What see you before you ?" said Time,
+" what glitters On yon marble p
" see nothing but piles of bright gold
en- rings, like that which shall wear to.
morrow" replied Marion. 1t was strange
that in the presence Of such companion,
she felt neither wonder nor fear.
"And are they all alike?' said old Time.
:" All are alike, save that they are diyi-
ded into four different heaps
fhe old man laughed. How Wild and
nnearthly sounded that laugh. "They
have been framed by different Makers
said he :" | carry the touchstone to prove
them. See the first heap-a goodly array,
trowi they are Folly's workmanship
while passionate lovers choose from thence,
who would barter life for a flower or a
smile? Flatterers and the fattered draw
from that pile. Folly gives, and Vanity
receives. Poets string their fancies on
rings such as these, and lay them at the
feet CT romance loving damsels, who look
upon life as a drama, Of which they them.
selves are the heroines. Stand back--Al
thea approaches-she must have q ring
from that pile"
Then Marion beheld advancing toward
them youthful couple, radiant with hap.
piness and love. The maiden was sur.
passing fair her white veil half concealed
her blusbing eo1utenance, but her soft
eyes were fixed upon her companion,
whose every look and tone expressed the
most ardent and devoted love. lie kissed
the white trembling hand upon which he
placed the ring, and Marion watched the
welding as they retired to remote part Of
The temple. "Sure they are happy"
thought she. She was aroused by the
voice Of old Time.
'Mark you the second hcap?" said he,
pointing to the scyihc. These rings have
been fashioned by Worldliness, ever since
ny comFade, The Earth WAS young. Those
aho seek money. those who seek rank. who
sell themselves for title Of an estate, mai.