The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-06-03

rank, who sell themselves for title or an
estate; maidens who dread TO become
maids, the fortune hunter the ambitious,
the proud-these choose from the second
heap. Of such is Julia, whose bridal pro-
cession is drawing near. Jewels upon her
brow, no love within her heart, she gives
herself away to carriage and Il mansion.
and strives 10 forget fool is their master"
Marion sighed as the procession passed
it is sickening sight to behold beauty
sacrificed to mammon.
"And who framed the rings that slime in
the third heap?" said Marion, TO her mys-
terious companion.
"They are framed by Self.will, and the
Evil One brcatlled spell over them.-
When the fifth commandment is broken,
when a parents will is deSpised, when there
is clandestine wooin@ and the welded ones
dare not ask Gods blessing upon them, then
these rings are worn.
Even as he spoke with fearful, hesitaing
step, maiden approached the pile, led,
half reluctant, ty one Of graceful form, who
was whispering soft words in her ear. Oh
could i, bc 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 u Init lighter !!
"And what is the u 'lus,cr @?
rings which no finger has, ..ed e. said
Marion.
The voice Of Time sank to the soft whis-
per Of the western breeze, and miller light
shone in his eyes as he replied
"They arc for those whose marriages
have been made in heaven. every circIct Of
goll has been formed by Esteem. When
two devoted to one service meet, heirs to one
hope, followers Of one Lord, when, loving
aul beloved. they would share each others
joys. nor shrink from each others sorrow T.
when helping each other on a heavenwari
road, they press on to the same bright goal
above, then those rings unite them here,
emblems Of that eternity which will unite
Them IN bliss never ending! !"
A voice behind Marion seemed 10 echo
the last words; she knew that voice. 1t
thrilled to her heart; she knew that the
hand that pressed upon her the pic'! &c of
connubial love. Could all the diamonds
of Go'conda have made it more prccions to
the youthful bride?
Il
as the rushing sound OF the angry blast
Il comc--1 COME he cried. "Thrones
melt as snow before me the peopled city.
the obscure village, the home Of the peasant,
the palace Of the monarch, bear the marks
OF the deep footprints Of Time! Aud
is the touchslone that tries the gold it is
| my hand that draws back the veil Of Trutl, !;
| touch the bubbles of Folly, and they
break and leave but tear behind"
Marion watched, as with stea,hly but rap
id step Time approached Althea and her
husband. Now lines appear on the
smooth brow; the glossy ringlets were
streaken with gray, the fairy form had lost
all its grace. And the ardent lover how
cold was his look-how changed from the
bridegroom WAS the husband Time laid
his hand on the ring which still glittere'l
on the finger of Athea at once the circIel
lost all its brightness, the gliding vanish
ed naught remained but the dull worthless
metal beneath !; the ring had never been
gold.
Naughty julia amid thy wealth and
thy state, Time is also creeping on thee
Bars of gold will not bolt him out-he
tramples earth's treasures beneath his feet
He touches the worlllng'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 implied must she drag its weight; she
has chosen her fate and she must bear
it; her ring has never been gold. -
With mounrful interest Marion watched
the welded pair, who had sacrificed duty
to love. There were looks of suspicion, the
words OF reProach, ms the shadows OF lime
fell across the path but when his cold hand
touched fatal ring faint cry escaped
from the pallid lips,a viper was coming
where the circlet had rested her ring had
never been gold.
And now Marion felt Time approaching
herself, yet still she clung to tho husband
beside her with deeper and more confiding
love-, Time held out his hand she did
not shrink, she felt his touch, trembIed not.
The ring she wore. grew brighter than ever,
it was formed:of the gold that 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 uusicfrom
the sphere above, ,",-
"For richer, for poorer, in sickness and
=. IL an