North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-11-11
VOL. 3, NO. II.

oc- c-upied two hours in dressing his wounds,
while Lizzy sat all the while scraping liat i'm
the adjoining room. Every now and then he
would open his eyes and catch ghmpseof
her as she ran in and out supplying the sur
geon's calls. At last the bandages were an
applied, and Frank resigned to what little
rest he could hGpe to obtain with bruised
head and mangled limbs, fortunately no bones
were broken, so that his case did not seem
very desperate. While he lay in his dsrken-
ed room, with only a few rays from q resh-
light behind SCREEN the door softly opened.
and Lizzy entered in her bridal robe of whits
muslin. She looked pale and beautiful as a
spirit, in that dim light, and her voice was as
sweet falling upon his dizzy brain. ....
"Forgive US all for leaving You a short
time" she said. Perhaps you remember 1t
is the wedding night. The minister has ar.
rived, and they are only waiting for me-
You shall have better attention when that in
over"
Go, and God bless you, Lizzy. Do not
think OF me. am quite easy, and in want
of nothing. You have all been very kind to
me forgive me for bringing my suffcrings here
to disturb your joys. Why didn't you send
me back to the tavern i: was the place for
me to night"
Lizzy put her soft fingers gently over his
lips. Don't talk So" she whispered. ,"tt
Is the deepest Of our thanksglyings tonight
that we have been able to do something for
you Think Of that, and let it console youl,'
Before he could reply she had glided softlv
away from him, and left the room. The
wedding ceremony was performed in the par4
ior adjoining and as he lay helpless upon hrs
pillow, he heard the deep voice of PRAYER.
iifted In conservation Of the nuptial VOWS
tie heard the names spoken-Orando Schnei-
der, Elizabeth Hatch" .; then there was a
hustle of the guests seating themselves and
general suppressed tittcring, and murmur-
ing, and rafting of plates, and wine-elasses.
lhe hour was long and painful one to
Frank. At last the door opened into his
room again, and the old Farmer approached
Well, the job is over" he cried. "Consid-
era0ie business we've done here in one
night"
am afraid am in your way, at this
time" said Frank, in mournful voice. that
sounded strangely coming from his lips.
Not ajot! not a jot! Schneider takcs
AIS wife away tonight, SO we have an empty
CRIB just in time. We're just about packing
EN- away, and then we'll have an eye to you
again"
lie left the room, and presently Frank
heard carriage drive to the door. As it
rolled slowly away, he could not suppress
deep groan, not of bodily, but of mental tor
ture. Are you in such pain % sighed
tender, plying voice in his ear. "Can do
nothing for you?"
Why Lizzy how came you here tho't
you were gomez
Not |, nor do intend to go''
" Your father just told me that you were
10 leave tonight"
oh no, you misunderstood him. He
meant the bride, not me-"
Not you " cried Frank, almost springing
from his pillow, in spite of his wounds and
bandages. who in the name of Heaven IL
the bride, if not you 2"
g. 1t is my aunt Lzzy," said she, laughing a
little rougishly, notwithstanding her pity for
Frank.
Then have been deceived, and you are
not Scheider'S wife ?'
No, thank heaven am free from any
such claims. Aunt Lzzy is happy in being
married at the ripe age of forty, and Uncle
Orlando, in claiming with his wife's hand a
title to five thousand dollars. am far happi.
er in being here TO wait upon you' ..
Dear Lizzy weak and wounded as am.
not being breathes this night with so thank
full heart as I. Tell me, Lzzy, in a word,
is there man in the world who has a claim
on you 2"
I" Only my father"
Then | may lie here in peace, and dream
sweet dreams, may not 2"
Yes, any thing to make you happy"
And you will wait on me ?" $500.
Yes, with pleasure" ......
Then am the happicst man alve.h
Here the door opened, and old Farmer
Hatch entered with his wife, just as Frank
had managed to clasp Lizzy's hand.
Ho no another wedding in the windm
he cried.
But Lizzy ran out of the room in twink
ling of an eye, or am not certain that the
old Farmer would not have settled the barr
gain at once. ANY way, it was not many
weeks before the young people had settled il
for themselves, which, after all, is much the
best way in such cases.