The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-02-17


ing to ito very core the fcrvid light OF love.
grow aud crimson into perfect w0manbood. |
AT last the plightcd lovers came, and
welcomes and Festivities awaited tton. Mr., |
w. gavo entire satisfaction to tho father. /
mother, and even tho exacting 'beauty.
J lie was handsome man, with some protein |
sions to fashion but. in manncr,a nppar.
emily iG character, tho opposite OF his be-
trothed.
! 1t was decided that Lucy should no,
again leave homo until after her marriage,
which. at the request of the ardent lover,
was to DO celebrated within two months,
and on the coming birth day Of the bride.
! 1t was therefore arranged that Ellen should
return with MIR. w. to NJ. to tnko
charge of her sisters school for the remain
der OF the term.
The bridal birth day had come. 1t had
been ushercd in by May morning OF sur
passing lovelinoss; the busy hours had worn
away, md now it was nigh sunset, aud
neither the bridegroom nor Ellen, the first
brides maid, had appeared. ct. in her
neat littlo chamber, sat Lucy, nothing
doubling. nothing fearing. She was alr eady
in n simple white muslin and her few bridal
oanamcnts lay on the table by her side. -
Maria Allen, her second bridesmaid, u
bright. eyed, affcctonate. hearted girl. her
chosen friend from childhood, wus arraug-
ing to moro graceful fall tho wealth OF
| light rnglets which swept her snowy neck,
To the anxious inquiries OF her companion
respecting tho absent ones, Lucy smiled
quietly. and replied:
"Oh. something has happened to Getsiu
them for while; we hoard from then the
other day, and all was we'll. They will be
hero by aud by, oever fear"
Evening came the guests were all assem-
blod, ard yet the bridegroom tarried There
were wbisperings, surmiscs and wonderings;
and shadow Of anxiety passed over the
face Of the bride elect At last q carriage
drove rather slowly to tho door.
"They have come! T. cried many voices,
ana Ellen entered. In reply to tho bur
riod and confused inquiries of oil around
him. Mr.. W. muttered something about "un-
a.oidable delay" md, stepping to the side.
board tossed of a glass OF vine, anolh-
or aad another. Tho company etood s'leut
with amuzement Finally, rough old
farnor exclaimed
Better late than never, young mau--so
lead in tho bride"
W.--strode hastily across the room.
placed himself by Ellen. and her hand in
his. Then, without daring to meet tho eye
of any one about him, he said
II wish to mako an explanation. am
under the painful necessity--tbal 10. have
the pleasure to announce that ! am already
married. The lady whom l hold by the
hand is my wife"
Then turning in an apologotical manner
to Mr.. aud MIS-. Dutton, he added
Il found that had never loved until
knew your second daughter
And Lucy! She heard all with strange
catmness; then, walking steadily forward
confronted her betrayers. Tcrrible.as pale
ne Nemesis herself. she stood before them.
and her locks pierced like keen. cold blade
into their false hearts. As though to as
sure herself of the dread reality Of the
/ vision she laid her haud on Ellen's shoulder.
and lot it glide down her arm-but she
met hers, tho unhappy wife first gazed full
into her sisters face; and, as she marked
. the ghastly palor Of her check-the dilatcd
nostriI-tbe quvering lip and intensely
: mournful ewes, she covered her own face
with her bands, and burst into toars, while
the young husband, awcd by the terrible 81
leuce of her he so wrongec, staggered back
against the wall. Then Lucy casped her
hunds on her forehead, and fIst cave voice
to her anguish and despair in one fearful
cry, which could ring forever through the
souls of that guilty pair aud fell IN death
like swoon at bis teet.
Aftor the inscnsble girl had been re-.
moved 70 her chamber, q stormy scene en-.
8 sued in tho room beneath. The parents
and guests were alike euragcd against W.
9 but the tears and prayers of his young wife.
J, tho petted beauty and spoiled child, at last
i somewhat softened the anger OF the parents,
y and an opportunity for an explanation was
n accorded to the offenders.
i. A sorry explanation is proved. The gon-
+ tIeman affirmed that the first sight OF El.
v lens lovely face bad weakened the empire
f for her palmer sister over bis affections.
/ Frequen, interviews had completed the con-
q quest of his loyalty, but he had been held
O in check by honor, and never told his love
until. whom on his way to espouse another,
@ in an unguarded moment, he revealed it,aDd
the avowal had called forth an answering
8 acknow Judgement from Ellen.
+ They bad thought it best, In order 10
a save pain to Lucy. and prevent opposition
o from her, and their own happiness, TO be
. married before their arrival at c..
d Lucy remained insensibe for some hours.
8 When she had revived and apparently re.
t gained her consciousness, she still main
@ tanned her strange silence. This continued
L for many weeks, when it partially passed
@ away, her friends saw with inexpressibe
@ grief, that her reason had fed-that she
ioas hoprlessi, insane! But her madness
d was of . mild and harmless nature. She
9 was gentle and peaceable as ever. out fire..
& auentIy sighed, and seemed bu rdeped with
J. some great sorrow which she could not her
n self comprehend. She had one popularity
# which ali who knew her in after years must
@ recollect; this was a wild fear and careful