The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-06-16
EIGHT DEFORE THE WE'D.
DING.

This must be the last ofyour wedding
gifts, Vaninka," said Madame Brentano,
handing small package to her daugh-
ter; las YOU are to be married tomorrow,
and it is now quite late in the evening, l
think there will be no more"
Mother" said the young girl, in
frightened tone, holding up small jet
necklace. the contents of the package.
,.see, it is black! 1t Is ominous. Oh,
what grief can be in store for Henry and
me2"
None, none; Vaninka! this is mere fol-
w." said her mother, in tone of rebuke.
But it was some minutes before the
Young maiden recovered her cslmness. -
Then conauering her weakness by . viO-
lent effort, she said, lightly: -.
II am not silly, mother! You will
laugh when tell you it, but my blood
ran cold, and my flesh seemed to creep
rs touched this bauble, as fit had been
a serpent. See. do not mind it now"
Vaninka Brentano was the only child
VI wealthy Prussian cOmmoner. She
had been long betrothed to Henry Wer-
der, 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
we're to be united the day after the one
towards the end of which my story com
menCes Vaninka was devotedly attach
ed to her betrothed. and too happy at
the near approach of their nuptials to
allow the black necklace to disquiet her
long. Her parents left the room, and,
throwing herself into chair, she leaned
her head against it's back, and sank into
reverie, her fingers mechanically play
ing the while with her last gift. 1t was
easy to sec that her reflections were of q
pleasant nature, for ever and anon
beautiful smile stole over her features,
and fading gradually away, still left the
same expression of quiet happiness. She
had been sitting there for some time,
when another person entered the room.
man, dressed in full Prussian uniform
His face was pale and wore All agitated
look, strongly contrasting with the peace
full smile on Vaninka's lips. She did not
hear him enter, and he stood for mo-
ment looking, with his eyes beaming
with tenderness, upon her; then, with
the air of man who has d istressng
iuty to perform, he advanced and stood
before her.
Henry" she exclaimed, starting to
her feet, II did not expect you this even
ing; has anything happened9"
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 postpon-
I'd"
Our wedding" cried the astonished
girl.
Even SO! You are astonished, per-
haps hurt have told you abruptly 3
Look i'll my face, VaniDka, and see what
have suffered before would grievs you
with my bad news"
But, Henry, do not understand
Why must we wait still longer"
Because must leave you in twenty
minutes"
Leave Inc 3"
Yes Napoleon has left Elba, and is
even now in Paris our troops leave the
city in half an hour"
Henry, am awake2 No, no, Henry,
You are not in earnest. Ali" she said,
shuddering as she caught sight of the
necklace, Il said it was ominous! IL
Henry, you cannot leave me. Tonight,
too! the very night before the wedding!"
"Vaninka" he cried, straining her to
his breast, 81 must go; see, the clock
points to the time set to leave you
Vaninka She has tainted! Better so !"
Aud kissing her pale face again and
again, he laid her on the sofa and went
in search of her parents. A few words
told them all, aud hearing their bles-
sings, he departed.
Weeks passed and Vaninka heard moth.
ing from her lover. She grew thin and
pale; her movements were languid and
her former light step grew slow and
heavy, She no longer sang ut her work,
but would let her hands fall listlessly
into her lap, and leave deep signs, while
sometimes the tears rolled unheeded
down her cheeks
At length there came the news of the
battle of Waterloo; Napoleon had been
defeated, and all Europe was ringing
with the tidings. Vaninka's suspense
now amounted to perfect agony Hen
ry!" she would cry, rs he Killed 3" 20,
when will he Gomez
One morning when she was seated with
her mother, sewing, she was told that Q
Prussian officer wanted to see her. With
her heart trembling between fear and
hope she obeyed the summons. As she
slowly entered the room, stranger rose
and advanced to meet her.
"Mademoiselle B entan }" he inquired,
bowling.
THE same Will you be seated sir I"
II am Frederick Liston; / served in the
battle of Waterloo, in the same regi-
ment with Henry Werder, and he request
ed me to deliver this" And as he finish
ed. he placed small package in her
hands
why don't he come himself9 He is
not deads Oh say he lie not dead" she
said in voice of such imploring agony
that the young soldier felt the tears rise
in his eyes.
Lady" he said, in sad tone, Henry
fell at Waterloo"
She did not scream nor faint, but sunk
into the chair near her, with only moan
OF agony He mistook her silent, tear
less agony for calmness. and began to re-
late the particulars Of his comrades death,
and delivered his dying message to his
betrothed. Vaninka heard every word,
but she neither spoke nor stirred, but
with her eyes fixed on the little package
he had given her He left her. and her