Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1858-08-26

gives herself away TO . carriage and q
mansion, and strives 10 forget tha. fool
is their master?
Marion sighed as the procession passed !;
it is a sickeniDg sight to behold beauty
sacrificed to niammon.
sand who formed the rings that shine
in the third heap?" said Marion to her
mysterious companion.
"Tbey are framed by Self.will, and the
Evil One has breathed a spell over them.
| When the fifth commandment is broken.
when parents win is despised, when there
is clandestine wooing, and the welded
ones dare not ask Gods blessing upon
them then those rings are worn.
Even as he spoke, with fearful hesita-
ting step, maiden approached the pile,
led, half reluctant by one of graceful form,
who was whispering soft words in her ear.
Oh! could. it be love that led him to act
the part Of temptation to the woman who
trusted him. or did he fondly hope to find
the faithful wife in the undutiful daughter,
"Apd what is the neglected cluster Of
rings which no finger yet has touched? ?"
said Marion.
The voice Of Time sank to the soft whis.
per Of the western breeze, and miIder light
shone in his eyes, as he replied "They
are for those whose marriages have been
made IN heaven; every circlet Of gold has
been formed by Esteem. When two devo.
ted to one service meet, heirs of one hope.
followers of one Lord when, loving and
beloved, they would share each others
JOY, nor shrink from each others sorrow
when helping each other on heavenward
road, they press on in the same strength,
to the same bright goal above then those
rings unite them here, emblems Of that
eternity which will unite them in bliss
never ending?"
voice behind Marion seemed % echo
the last words she knew that voice it
thrilled 10 her heart ard she knew the
hand that pressed upon hers the pledge OF
connubial love. Could all the diamonds
Of Golconaa have made it more precious
to the heart Of the youthful bride?
Then again the voice OF old Time rose,
as the rushing souEl Of the angry blast.
:. ] COME come ~ he cried. "Thrones
melt as snow before me the pcopled city,
the obscure village, the home of the peas
ant, the palace ofthe monarch, bear the
marks of the deep footprints of Time -
And mine is the touchstone that tries the
gold it is my hand that draws back the
veil OF Truth; I touch the bubbles of
Folly. and they break, and leave a tear
behind"
Marion watched, as with s,ealthy but
rapid step Time approached Althea and
her husband. No lines appeared on the
fair smooth brow the glossy ringlets we're
streaked with gray; the fairy form had
lost all its grace. And the ardent lover.
how cold was his lo3k-how changed from
the bridegroom was the husband! Time
laid his heavy hand upon the ring which
still g'ittered on the finger Of Althea, at
once the circlet lost all its brightness, the
gliding vanished naught remained but
the dull, worthless metal beneath the ring
had never been goldi
Hagga:y Julia! amid thv wealth and
thy state. Time is also stealing on thee
Bars Of gold will not bolt him out-he
tramples earth's treasures beneath his |
feet. He touches the ring on the world |
ling's hand, and the dull, heavy fall of
iron is heard. Man may see naught but
the loop of gold. but the wearer feels the
CALLING chain. Hopeless and uapiticd
iaust she drag its weight; she has chosen
her fate and she must bear it; her ring
has never been gold.
With mournfal interest Marion watched |
the steps of the welded pair, who had sac
fsiieed duty to !eye. There were looks of
suspicion, and words of reproach, as the
shadows Of Time fell across their path
but when his cold hand touched a fatal
ring, faint cry escaped from the pallid |
lips a viper was co:lng where the circlet
had rested her ring had never been gold. |
And now Marion felt Time approaching
herself yet still she clung to the husband
beside her with deeper, more confding
love. Time held out his hand, she did not
shrink she felt his touch, but she tre,n.
bled not. The ring which she wore grew
brighter than ever il was formed of the |
gold which changes not in the furnace of
life, or beneath the grasp Of Time. And
the voice which she loved was sounded in
her ears, like soft music from the sphere
above; !" For richer, for poorer, in sickness
and in health, to love and cherish till
death do us part. y It'll death do ma
part, y repeated tha bride; united in life,
in death and beyond it," Even as the
words burst from her lips, the whole scene
to melt before her, the image OF
Time had vanished, she suddenly opened
her eyes, and wondered at the dimness
around. The light had burned out in her
swastng itself and dying, like
the love which mere earthly attractions in.
spire but "a soft rosy glow was now ting.
ing the East bright harbineer Of n bright
er radiance ii was the dawn Of Marion's
wedding day.
And 50 our little Wreath was finished
and presented with . suitable speech by
The bridesman and n auit..ble smile by the