Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-09-14
M
NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING.

"This must be the last of your wedding
gifts, Vaninka," said Madam Brenton, hand
ing small package to her daughter, as
you are to be married tomorrow, and it is
now quite late i'll the evening, | think there
will be no more"
Mother" said the young girl, in frigh-
tened 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 me? 2"
None none, Vaninky! this is mere fol-
ly,' said her mother, in tone of rebuke.
But it was some minutes before the young
maiden recovered her calmness. Then con-
quering her weakness by a violent effort,
she said, lightly:
al am not silly, mother You will laugh
when tell you it, but my blood run cold
and my flesh seemed to creep as | touched
this bauble, as if it had been a serpent
See, | do not mind it now !"
Vaninka Brentano was the only child of
wealthy Prussan commoner. She had
been long betrothed to Henry Werder, a
young officer in the PruSsian army I; but
owing to the wars in Europe their wedding
had been long delayed. Now, however,
there was peace, and the lovers were to be
united the day after the one toward the
end of which my story commences. Van
inka was devotedly attached to her be-
trothed and too happy at the near ap-
proach 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 its back,
and sank into a revere, her fingers me-
chanically playing the while with her last
gift. 1t was easy to see that her refec-
tions were of 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 setting there some time when
another person entered the room. The in
truder was young handsome man, dressed
in full Prussian uniform. His face was
pale, and wore an agitated look strongly con-
trasting with the peaceful smile onV aninka's
lips. She did not hear him enter, and hestood
for moment looking, with his eyes BEAM
ing with tenderness upon her then, with
the air of a man who has distressing du-
ty to perform, he advanced and stood be-
fore her.
Henry I" she exclaimed, starting to her
feet, 81 did not expect you this evening
has anything happened 2"
Much, much, Vaninka. Sitdown again
and | will take this stool at your feet. My
own beloved, come to tell you that our
wedding must be postponed"
"Our wedding day !" cried the astonish-
ed girl.
"Even so You are astonished, perhaps
hurt have l told you abruptly? Look in
my face Vaninka, and see what | have suff
cred before | would grieve you with my
bad news"
but, Henry, do not understand. Why
must we wait still longer :"
because | must leave you in twenty
minutes"
Leave me-"
"Yes. Napoleon has left Elba, 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. All !" said she,
shuddering as she caught sight of the neck
lace, 81 said it was ominous l--l-l-Hen-
ry, you cannot leave me. Tonight too
the very night before the wedding !"
"Vaninka ?" he cried, straining her to
his breast, I" must go; see, the clock
points to the time | set to leave you. Van
lDkd one Has DtlJcT Anu
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,
and bearing their fervent blessings, he de-
parted.
Weeks passed. and Vaninka heard moth
ing from her lover. She grew pale and
thin her movements were languid, and
her former light step grew slow and heavy,
She no longer sang at her work, and would
let her hands fall listlessly into her lap,and
heave deep sighs, while sometimes the
great tears rolled unheeded down her
checks.
At length, there came the news Of the
battle of Waterloo Napoleon had been de-
feated, and all Europe was ringing with
the tdings. Vaninka's suspense now am
ounted to perfect agony. Henry?" she
would cry, is he killed? Oh when will
he come 2"
One morning when she was seated with
her mother, sewing, she was told that a