The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-07-06
Night BEFORE the Wedding.

gifts, Vaninka, said Madam Brentano
handing a small package to her daughter
AS you are to be married to morrow, and il
is now quite late in the evening, | think
there will be no more re
Mother said the young girl, in fright,
eped tone, holding up a small jet necklace
the contents of the package, see, it is black
1t is oIninous. Oh, what grief can be il
store for henry and me-?
None, none, Vaninka! this is mere felIy,
said her mother in tone of rebuke.
But it was some minutes before the young
maiden recovered her calmness. Then
conquering her weakness by violent effort
she said lightly:
4 am not silly motherl You will laugh
when | tell you it, but my blood ran cold
and my flesh seemed to creep as touched
this bauble, as if it had been serpent. See
l do not mind it now!'
Vaninka Brentano was the only child Of
a wealthy Prussian commoner. She had
been long betrothed to Henry Werder, a
young officer in the Prussian army; but
owing to the wars in Europe their wedding
had been long delayed. Now. However,
there was peace, and the lovers wers to be
united the day after the one toward the end
OF which my story commences. Vaninka
vas devoutedly attached to her betrothed,
and too happy at the near approach of their
huptials to allow the black necklace to dis
quiet her long. Her parents left the room,
and throwing herself in chair, she leaned
herself against its back, and sank into a
reverie, her fingers mechanically playing
the while with her last gift. 1t was easy
to see that her reflections were Of pleasant
nature for ever and anon beautiful smile
broke over her features, aud fading gradu
ally away, still left the same expression Of
quiet happiness. She had been sitting there
some time, when another person entered the
room. The intruder was young, hand
some man, dressed in full Prussiar uniform
His face was pale, and wore an agitated
look, strongly contrasting with the peace
full smile resting on Vaninkas lips. She
did not hear him enter, and he stood for a
moment looking with eyes beaming with
tenderness, upon her; then, with the air of a
man who has distressing duty to perform,
he advanced and stood before her,
Henry! she exclaimed, starting to her
feet. 4 did not expect you this evening" has
anything happened?
Much, much, Vaninka. Sit down again,
and will take this stool at your feet My
own beloved, l came to tell you that our
wedding must be postponedr
Our weddingr cried the astonished
girl. 81 % M
Even So You are astonished, perhaps
hurt; have told you too abruptly? Look
in my face, VaDiuka and see what suf
fered before would grieve you with bad
news
But Henry, do not understand. Why
must we wait still longer?
Because must leave you in twenty
minutes
Leave meP'
Yes! Napoleon has left Elha, and is even
now in Paris; our troops leave the city in
half an hour
Henry! am awake? No, no, Henry
you are not in earnest. Ah!' she said shud
dering as she caught sight or the necklace,
i said it was ominous III Henry, you
cannot leave me, To night, too! the very
night before the wedding!' -s@ He-4
'Vaninka! he cried, straining her to hi
breast, i must go; see the clock points t,
the time set to leave you Vaninka! Sh
has tainted! Better sol And kissing her pal
face again and again, he laid her OH thu
4
few words told them all, and bearing thei
fervent blessings he departed.
Weeks passed. and Vauinka heard moth
ing from her lover. She grew pale and thin
her movements were Ianguid and her forme
light step grew slow and heavy. She Ii
longer sang at her work, but would let he
hands fall listlessly into her lap, and heav
deep sighs, while sometime the great tear
rolled UNDECIDED dow her cheeks.
At length came the news of tie battl
of Waterloo; Napoleon had beeI
defeated, and all Europe was ringing wit
the tidings. Vaninkas suspense nov
amounted to perfect agony. Henry sh
would cry, is he killed? 0, when will h
Gomez -.rfF5 I~7r g#. #tEr
One morning when she was seated wit
her mother, sewing, she was told that
Prussian officer wanted to see her. Wit
her heart trembling between fear and hop
she obeyed the summons As she slowl
entered the room, stranger rose, and ad
vanced to meet her.. ~ g. -
'Mademoiselle BrentanoT he inquired
bowling. .235 s'a .' 800
The same. Will you be seated sir?'
q am Frederick Liston; served in ii
battle Of Waterloo, in the same regimen
with Henry Werdel, and herequested n
to deliver this to you And as he fnishe,
he placed a small package in her hands.
Why don, t he come himself? He is III
dead? Oh, say he is not dead she sal
in voice of such imploring agony that IL
young soldier felt the tears rise in his eye
Lady, he said, in a sad tone. Henry ft
at Waterloo
She did not scream nor faint, but sar
into chair near her, with only moan
agony. He mistook her silent tearlc
agony for calmness, and began to rela
the particulars of his comrade's death, a
delivered his dying message to his
trothed., Vaninka heard every word, b
she neither spokenor stirred, but sat with i
eyes fixed on the little package he b
given her. He left her. and her moth
found her half an hour after stu in the sal
position. 4ras
'Vaninka she said, who was your vi
tori, There was no answer. -5s1--
.f2{DNa-.} .E&y.4as.f Il ~