Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-06-08
From the Watchmau and Reflector.
ROSE AND BLANCHE.
AN OLD oLERerMAN's STORY

seemed to myself to be uttering a
blasphemy. glanced from the beauti-
full young face of the bride, blooming like
rose in her Hly-white attire, TO the
dark, unlovable eountenance of the bride
groom,-remembered the painful history
of their union-foresaw repentance and
wretchedness awaiting them-and felt
as had never felt, how idle and how
wicked it is to pronounce any such ill-as-
sorted couple God Joined ?
paused an instant and doubtless
something like it passed in the minds of
more than one thoughtful person present.
There was silence, as at funeral. 1t
was broken by whisper child's
whisper, that sounded almost as distinct
ly as my own voice
There goes Lewis Kensington ?
The observations Of children are often
most seriously inopportune.
The brides little brother, standing by
the window, and CHANGING to glance down
the street, had volunteered the informa-
tion, as an item of undoubted interest to
the company.
1t was an item of almost tragieal in
terest to one there. The face of the
bride turned white as her marriage robes.
Then the blood rushed into it tempestu-
ously. She trembled as if she had been
indeed rose, stricken by sudden blast.
The incident prolonged the pause,
which grew to be of a most painful de-
scription. But there was no longer 81
lence. Little brother was struggling and
demonstrating with a grim aunt, who,
Mortified was endesvoring to muffle his
indiscreet mouth with her hand. A fut-
ter and murmur swept through the room
on one side among the young peo-
pie breaking out into filter, on the 9TH
er-where the brides parents were
sinking into something like a gasp.
The bridegroom's dark face grew dark.
er still, his wrinkled brow more wrin.
kled; and could see that he cast quick
fierce, cruel glance, at the young mis-
chief-maker. l took advantage of th'
interruption, not to repeat the usua
words of the formula but to utter in it
stead the simple expression, Whom
God hath truly joined, believe no mai
can put asunder ?
1t was all over. Lewis KensingtoI
might henceforth 60 whittier he pleased
the beautiful girl who had SO Ion
been his cherished earthly friend, an
should have been bis wife. was now il
revocably another's.
The usual congratulations followed
with kisses, and hand-shakings, an
smiles and tears. The bride was cor
graduated on having united her fate wit
one SO highly respected, and so abur
dantly favored with this worlds goods
The parents TREMENDOUSLY shedding teal
the while, were congratulated on seein
their only daughter SO advantageous
married. The bridegroom was congra
ulated on securing SO accomplished al
charming companion for his fresid
And as l passed from the house, l owe
heard from some of the lips which hi
so lately uttered these smiling congrat
lations, whispered words
He looks old enough to be her fat
err
She is sold-not married
i thought l should die when the mi
ister-hush there he is ?
1 was glad to get out, and breathe t
open air. 1t was such beautiful Ju
day, the sky SO brightly blue, the bree2
so sweet, the sunshine SO mild and pu
the foliage of the apple-trees futteri
and Iisping so melodiously, all nature
glad, from the flooding brook that g.
gled down its pebbly shelves, to the ha
py birds that sung on the willow-tt
over it and all contrasting so refres
ingly with the stifed atmosphere of
little world of wiles and acted lies, win
] had left behind.
was walking slowly across the villa
green--so delightfully."- green, that mo
ing, as ] remember it +; pondering wi
IN myself the lesson of the day; list
ing to the conviction that uttered out
the depths of my heart its still voice, t
if ever again was called upon to
the ministerial part in such mock'
Of the sacred marriage ceremony, it wo
be my duty sternly to refuse whei
small lad came tripping behind me, c.
ing my name.
Lewis Kensingtou told me to spt
to youP
Lewis Kensington
started. Much as trusted
=