Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-12-02
5ntutstinp St0rg,
THE NIGHT BEFORE
THE w Ed G.
BY VIRGINIA DE FORREST.

BY VIRGINIA DE FORREST.
This must be the last of your wed
ding gifts, Vaninka," said Madam Breta
no, handing a small package to her
daughter, as YOU are to be married to.
morrow, and it is now quite late in the
evening +; | think there will be no more
Mother r said the young girl, in a
frightened tone. holding up a small JET
necklace, the contents of the package
See, it is black 1t is ominous. Oh.
what grief can be in stoie e for Henry and
me"
None, none, Vaninka this is mere
folly" said her mother, in a tone of re.
huke.
But it was some minutes before the
young maiden recovered her calmness.-
Then conquering her weakness by a VIC,
lent effort, she said, lightly
Am not silly, mother? You will
laugh when | tell you it, but my blood ran
cold, and my flesh seemed to creep, as |
touched this bauble, as if it had been a
serpent. See, | do not mind it now p
Yanlka Brentano was the only child of
wealthy Prussian commoners, She had
been long betrothed to Henry Werder, a
young officer in the Prussian army. bnt
owing to the wars in Europe, their wed
ding had been long delayed. Now how.
ever, there was peace, and the lovers
were to be united the day after the one
toward the one which my story common
ees. Vaninka was dsvotedly attached to
her betrothed, and to happy at the near
approach Of their nuptials to allow the
black necklace to disquiet her long,
Her parents left the ROOM, and throwing
herself into a chair, she leaned her head
against the back, and sank into d reverie
her fingers mechanically playing the
while with her last gift. 1t was easy to
see that her reflections were OF a pleas.
ant nature, for ever and anon, a beauti.
full smile stole over her features, and fad.
ing gradually away, still left the same
expression of quiet happiness. She had
been sitting there some time, when an
other person entered the room. The in.
truder was a young handsome man dres,
sed in full Prussian uniform. His face
was pale, and wore an agitated lock,
strongly contrasting with the peaceful
smile on Vaninka's lips. She did not
hear him enter, and he stood for a moment
looking with his eye beaming with ten.
derness, upon her then, with the air Of
a man who has a distressing duty to per-
form. he advanced and stood before her.
Henry !" she exclaimed, starting to
her feet. 81 did not expect you this eve.
ming ; has anything happened 2"
Much. much, Vaninka. Sit down
again, and | will take this stool at your
feet. My own beloved, | came to tell YOU
that our wedding must be postponed
"Our wedding p cried the astonished
girl.
Even so You are astonished, per.
haps hurt have l told you too abruptly?
Look in my face Vaninka, and see what
| have suffered before | would grieve you
with my bad news"
But, Henry, | do not understand
Why, must we wait still longer r"
Because | must leave you in twenty
minutes"
Leave me 2"
" Yes! Napoleon has left Elba, and
is ever now in Paris our troops leave
the city in halt an hour"
Henry am | awake No, no, Henry.
you are not in earnest. All /" she said.
shuddering as she caught sight of the
necklace, " / said it was ominousi II
Henry, you cannot leave me. Tonight.
too the very night before our wedding
"Vaninka. do not tremble and sob so |
Vaninka y he cried, straining her to his
breast, 81 must go see, the clock points
to the time | set to you to leave, Vanin-
ka She has tainted. Better SO II And
kissing her pale face again and again, he
laid her on the sofa, and vent in search
Of her parents. A few words told them
all, and bearing their fervent blessing. he
departed.
Weeks passed, and Vaninka heard
nothing from her lover. She grew pale
and thin, her movements were languld,
and her former light steps grew slow and
heavy. She no longer sang at her work.
but would let her hands fall listlessly into
her lap, and heave deep signs. while some,
times the great tears rolled unheeded
down her cheeks.
At length there came t e news of the
battle Of Waterloo ; Napoleon had been
defeated, and all Europe was ringing
with the tidings. Vaninka's suspense
now amounted to perfect agony. "Hen.
ry + she would cry. is he killed p
Oh, when will he come r"
One morning, when she was seated with
her mother, sewing, she was told that 9
Prussian officer waited to see her. Witt
her heart trembling between fear and
hope, she obeyed the summons. AIS she
slowly entered the room, a stranger rose
and advanced to meet her.