Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-08-05

over Tue lace OF the brile elect. AT last a
carriage drove up to the door.
They have eamer cried many voices.
and Ellen entered. In reply to the hur-
ned aud confused inquiries Of all around
him, Mr. W. uttered something about un-
ayoldable delay, and stopping up to the
sideboard, tossed off GLASS of wine. an
other and another. Tie company stood
silent with amazement Finally a rough
old farmer exclaimed
Better late than never, young man-so
lead out the bride
W strobe hastily across the room,
Place hims lfty Ellen, and took Ter hand
"a his. Than, without daring to meet the
eye 81 any about him, be said:
Il wish to make an ex lanation-I am
under the painfll necessity-that is l have
the pleasure 70 announce that ana already
married. The lady whom | now hol4 by
the hand is MY wife,
Then, turning in an apologize manner
to Mr. and Mrs. Dutton, he added, Al
found Tat | bad never loved until knew
your second daughter
And Lucyl She heard an With a
strange calmness. then walking steadily
forward. coufroated her betrayers. Terri
bic as pale Nemesis herself, Size stood be-
fore them, and her looks pierced like a
keen, cold blade, into their false tearts.
AS though to assure herself If tie dead
reality of the visions, she laid her hand
on Ellen's shoulder and lei it side down
her am-but she touched not Edwin.
As those cold fingers inst hers, the uGhap-
ply wife first aazed full into her sister s
face; and as SHE marked the CHASTITY pallor
Of her cheek--the dilated noatril-the
quyering lip and the intensely mourufuI
eyes, she covered her own face with her
hands and burst into tears, while the young
husband, awed by the terrific silence Of
her he had wsonged gasped for breath
and staggered back against the wall
Then Lucy clasped her hands On her fore
head aud fist gave voice to her anguish
ane despair 10 one fearful cry, which could
but ring forever ii the souls Of that guilty
pair, and fell ia dealh-like swoon at their
feet
After the irsonsibIe girl had been re-
movec to her chamber a stormy scene en-.
sued in the room beneath. The parents
and guests were alike enrageJ against
W; but the tears and prayers Of his
young wife, Tho petted beauty and spoiled
child, at last soitened somewhat the anger
Of her parents,-and an opportunity for
an explanation was accorded to the offend
ers.
A sorry explanation il proved. The
gentleman affirmed that the first sight Of
Ellen's sweet flce bad weakened tie en-
pige Of her plainer sister over bis affections
Frequent interviews bad completed the
conquest Of his loyalty but he had been
held in check By honor, and never told Of
bis love, until, on bis way TO espoase an
other, in an unguarded moment he re-
yealed it, and tie ayowal ba called forth
an answering acknowledgment from Ellen.
They had thought it Lest, in order t.
save pain to Lucy and prevent the op-
position from her, and to secure their own
happiness to be married before their arri-
val at Co..
Lucy remained insensible for some
hours. When she revived and apparently
reoained her consciousness, she still main
tanned tie stmnge silence. This continued
for MANY weeks, when il partially passed
away. her friends saw with inexpgessble
olief that her reason had hed-that she
was hopelesslY iusan But her madness
was Of a milo and harmless nature. She
was rs gentle aud peaceable as ever, but
frequently sighed and seemed 6ardened
with some great sorrow which she could
not herself comprehend She had one
pecaliafity, which all who knew her must
recolect: this was a wild fear aud careful
avoidance Of men. She seemed possessed
of the spirit Of unrest. She could net
SIC would nol, be confined, bat was con
tjnually escaping from her friends, they
knew not whittier.
While her parents lived, they by their
watchfui caro- and unweary Efforts, 70 some
measure controlled tbis sad propensity but
when they died, taeir stricken child became
wandefer, homeless, fficndles and Tor
horn.
Through laughing springs, and rosy
summers, tranp, tramp. tralnp-no resi-
for her Of the crushed heart and efazed
brain.
/ remembsr her as she was IL my early
childhood, towards the last Of her weary
pilgrimage. AS my fathef and eldest
brother were frequently absent, and a nly
mother nsgeg closed her heart Or door on
lie unfortunate, Crazy Lucy" often spent
an hour OH t9o by our lireside. Her ap-
psarance Wis very singular Her gown
was always patched with many eolofs' and
her shawl oil mantle was worn OF torn IN
I'll IT vas open work and.ftinge. Inc re-
4naintler of her miserable wardrobe she
carried ID undie under Der arm, nj
sometimes Sic had number 81 OLD rags,
dried herbs, DC.
In the SEASON Of flowers, her tattered
bonnet was bfofusely decorated With those
sbe had oaibered in the woods q by the
wavside Tier love for flowers aud hef
sweet voice vere III that were left ner q