Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-11-12
THE DEATH BRIDAL.

salo HERMAN, as they passed a little seclu-
ded c~hurch-yard, high among the noun
tains.
What was that ?" inquired his COM
panion, whose attention wa instantly
aroused by anything that promised of leg
end.
Rather a curious story, - returned Her
man "a sort of a revival of some middle
aged superstition, l believe. which took
place not many years ago. l heard of it
from my nurse, old Margret, who knew
all b parties. Suppose, instead of pro-
ceedlng to the town, we stay tonight at
her chalet, it is very little out of our way,
and there is a glorious view thence, which
will repay u.s."
The legend is an ample temptation"
answered Vernon and ere long they were
enjoying the welcome and cordial hospi-
tally of the old peasant.
Supper being ended, the young men
out in front OF the cottage and watch
ed, with the enjoyment of artists, the
splendid effects of the sunset on the ex-
tensive view before them. The rose-tints
faded slowly up the snowy mountain sum-
mits, and the moon, already high in the
heavens, blended a cold blue lustre, with
the warmer tints still lingering on the
west.
Margret, having finished her household
labors, came to the door with her knit
ting; but it was not until the last gleam
of sunset had faded from the sky that Her
man said:
Margaret. will you tell us about the
death bridal ="
Poor Aline !" said she. signing "she
was so young and so fair; we had been
friends from the time We could walk or
speak. Claude was her cousin, bu. no
one knew how well he loved her till he
was gone, although he always been fond
of her; but she was the f~avorite of the
whole parish. When Aline was about six
teen she went to spend a year with some
relations in Geneva.
Claude had never told her that he low
edher; hewas poor, and many years would
pass before he could win her. Then they
were both so young, and, perhaps, he
feared to try his fate. I always think he
felt that he was not long for this world,
and he would not sadden her life by any
grief that he could spare her; or perhaps
Mother Agnace was right. But she was
gone and he had not spoken.
Before the winter was gone, he died.
When he was dead. they found on his
heart a little case, like those which peo-
pie carry charms in but it contained q
lock of Aline's hair, and a flower she had
given him the day she went sway. We
did not remoye il, but laid it with him in
the grave. l
"In the summer Aline came home. All, |
/ shall never forget how lovely she looked
that day The Joy of her return. and our
gladness at seeing her again, had given
s.eh life and bloom to her face! We
talked of one and another of our friends
in the mountains, and of all she had seen
and done while she was away, but she
never mentioned Claude. At last the ev-
ening began. to fall, she grew restless
some of her friends came in and among
them Claude's sister. Aline kissed her
Gould not Claude come with you, aft
er al these months ?" said she.
Louis started, and was silent but one
of the others said
did you not know that poor Claude is
more?" {
My Aline she uttered but one cry, so s
long and bitter that it seemed her life I
must go with it, and she fell as if dead. L
1t was long before we could bring her {
to herself. and through all the night she '
never spoke one word, but one fainting !
another until morning her she |
to revive a little, but so wan she =
a mere wreck of what she had been q
but a day before, and in her eyes shone a il
strange sort of glitter, like sunlight reiec- G
ted from ice, SO cold and bright. At last !
she spoke i
Margaret, said she. taking my hands. J
saw Claude yesterday do not start he
stood by me when ] fell, and he told me
he told me he would have a death bri- =
lal, and then they can never part us :
more" :
No one parted you, dear. said l." /
"Ah, they did-they did, she answered: a
hey knew how happy we would be, and :
hey enVied u.s." :
"Who?" l asked anxiously. !.
"She looked cautiously at me for a mo- :
nent, and shook her head without speak =
ng- I
She says what is true, said Mother Ag- :
ace. who had come TO help US nurse her. Il
There are malignant spirits who always
" to sunder true hearts if they take the
Ife of one; they watch the other; and "
hat other must marry the dead in his "
rave. or the spirits viii cast a spell upon cl
hem, and they can never meet after IN
II
Margaret. said r.oor Aline, you must p
to the priest and bring him. must OF
e married now. as soon as any wedding hi
re~s is made" SC
Il went TO Father Bernard, forshe would hi
OF be satisfied. He said her brain was in
1rned by the shock. and she must be ar
and reasoned out of such strange "
incy. He came to see her; but after he
ad made her understand that he would
ave her give up the idea. she began too
lead torthe purpose 20 touchingly, thatat oo
.st ne gave way. "
Poo soul !" sad he rs he went out, "a
18th the tears standing in his eyes, its 5 ~
o harm, and may give her rest. w
so W 2 arrayed things for the ceremony. III
dressed NV poor friend for her strange al
marriage, all in white, with n long veil. ue
nd the bridal crown ofmyrtle. and white Se
,ses. on her head. She told FathersBer- -
ard what she would have him do, with A ~
uiet composure strangely belied by her
estless glittering eyes. No one then liy-
e had seen a death bridal, though some
{ the oldest persons had heard of such :.
ties being performed long ago. But she e.
to know intutively how all should 80
2 done We formed in procession at the
ride 5 house, as is customary at weddings,
nd proceeded TO the e~hurch-yard there
le-stood at one side of the grave. and Fa- fa,
Ter Bernard on the other. She had two tn
ridal rings-one she wore, the other she wi
on the grave-and, kneeling down, to
lie laid her left hand on the ring.
'The priest said a prayer, and those as
sung a marriage anthem and we.
this would satisfy her; but. still in
as soon as our voices ceased, she mt
tered, in a clear solemn voice her mar of
VOWS not in the usual words of our to