Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-01-15
CLARKSVILLE TENN FRIDAY JANUARY Is 1855.

perry, spangled with silver and gold, which
sparkled in the mellow light with peculiar
effect, elegance, and taste. Isl.
| The alter was of pyramidal form and
reached to the ceiling of the church against
its rear wall, having steps from its base to
the top, covered with scarlet clotn fringed
with silver brocade. A row of varigated
waxen candles burned with brilliancy on
every other of these steps, reaching to the
very roof of the church, while on the in
termediate steps were arranged a success
sion of elegant vases: :of artificial flowers
between the golden sconces, At the top
of the altar the lights were SO placed as to
form a star of fame, which shed down a
halo Of ofrefulgenoe truly glorious to behold
! The whole scene was admirably caleu-
lated to inspire admiration and awe. /
stole along to massive pillar and con-
cealed myself beneath the drapery of the
nook in which stood a marble image of the
Virgin Mary. was effectually secured
from observation, while 1 had perfect
view of all that was passing in the church
The choir struck up an anthem so full
of melody that it seemed the performance
of a seraphic band. The music ceased
and the bridal group gathered in front Of
the altar, while Julia knelt for few mo-
ments before the Virgin and prayed for
her favor and protection.
Shortly after, the aged priest entered
the body Of the church, by side door of
a closet near the altar. He was arrayed
in sacred and gorgeous yisture, while a
humber of beautiful little boys tinkled
small silver bells and swung bright CEN
sors of burning aromatic perfume,
The priest approached the holy cross,
and at signal given, the music of the
choir was resumed.
Juliastill knelt before the Virgin. There
was nothing but slight drapery between
US. / felt her warm breathings near my
face, and heard audibly the pulsations of
her heart. could have kissed the incense
of devotion from her lips-so close was my
proximity, without her being conscious Of
my presence. H-
Now was moment of itense agony
feared that the least sound might betray
my design, and with choking difficulty l
suppressed my own conyulsed respirations
that they might not be audible to any one
near to where l stood concealed. ' .'-
| Julia lifted up her fearful eyes, and her
countenance glowed with heavenly ex-
preston. 1t beamed innocence and truth,
but to my excited vision only treachery
and deceit. r.sf,. ....f -.
I could contain myself no longer. A
wild frenzy came over my soul. In an in
slant tore aside the fimsy drapery and
/, screamed with demons voice in her ear
Cease, perjured Julia Thy prayers are
} blasphemyl Thy souls undone T r-
She saw my form--she knew my voice.
A convulsive shudder seized her frame
: and dashed her with violence against the
pillar near the Virgin. There was wild
shrek, and Julia's fair form was stretched
7 upon the solid marble floor. The blood
} gushed from her nostrils and poured from
: the wound of her temple, and befouled
with CORY crimson her garment of snowy
purity. There was moan of the depart
ing spirit. Julia was--dead a1 s.sE
My rival sprang forward and bent oyel
the ensanguined corpse. drew forth my
, double barrelled pistol--rushed onward
and fred at his head. The report of the
, discharge reverberated awfully in that holy
G place. He escaped unhurt The sacred
fount received the ball, and the sanctifeC
e water bubbled musically as it fell to it
depth, r5 . ...
The fearful frenzy propelled me onward
, 1 tore from its post massive. candlestick
}, and with a powerful blow leveled the de
:, stroyer of my hopes forever to the dust
raised my arm to strike yet another blow
He smiled upon me--ah a ghastly smile
. | kneto now that countenance, | could no
n strike again. Oh, God l had slain be
loved, long lost brother t
!. The wild CRY of murder !" 'sacrilege
y rang frightfully along the vaulted dom
, and reechoed mournfully down the gale
v ries and aisles Merciful Heavens tn
scene before me. The blood flowed il
y streams around, My spirit froze within
! me. stood trans6xed as a statute of mar
BILE to the spot. The spectators were hor
= ror stricken-women shrieked and swoon
; ed, and bold men quaked with the ague @