Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-12-07
The Brides Death.

ms of southern France, which the /
puntry folks call by name which
best interpreted "The Brides s
cath"
1t is a little, blue, frail, innocent
ing. Yet if you ask the reason of
5 name, any peasant girl of Ian
|uedoc will tell you the same story.
There lived within sight of the
|ihone, years ago, an old chemist and
l is daughter. He was a German by
nth, but had married a French wo-
ban, and since that day dwelt in her
alive land. His name was Werner.
lis daughters Antoinctte.
She was a very handsome girl, and
nce her mothers early death had
cen the ministering spirit Of her faith
RS humble dwelling, and was loved
" him very fondly.
She had a singular disposition, gen.
rally merry and good-humored, but
when aroused to anger utterly unap-
Jeasable, until she had in some way
punished the offender, and with her
quarrel was never made up with tears
and kisses, as with other girls. 1t
was a lucky thing that she quarreled
very rarely.
Being beautiful, and, in the peas
nts' eyes, an heiress Of some impor-
ance, even the dread which was gen
rally entertained Of old Werner, on
.ccount Of his mysterious ohomist
ore, did not keep suitors from the
door.
But Antoinette looked coldly on
lie sterner sex, until one autumn
morning the young Marquis of Gren-
oble was brought by fate to break his
arm, at Chemist Werner's door, and
to he nursed back to health and
strength by the old man, who was as
cunning a leech as any in all Langue-
doc.
1t had been a dangerous illness,
owing partly to the heat OF the wealth
cr, and the fact that the young mar
Quis had been drinking much more
wine than was good for him, and the
recovery was quite a miracle.
The youth was properly grateful,
and would have rewarded the old man
with money and with gifts.
These being declined, he bestowed
upon the chemist and his daughter
lis friendship, and became a regular
visitor a! their little home.
Soon he declared to Antoinette that
he was miserable save in her presence,
and that she possessed not only his
friendship but his heart.
She was u Warm-hearted, passion
ate creature, and after his avowal OF
love, every day found the handsome
marquis dearer to her.
For MS sake she decked herself in
lolyday attire; for his sake braided
the splendid black hair that glittercd
ike jet in the sunshine.
Nothing she did but was done with
a thought OF him, and in view of her
high position as his wife, she fOrsook
her Old companions and took to study
ing The speech and manners Of those
above her, until the little peasant vul-
garities into which she had fallen
were quite unLcarnt.
The girls OF her village were sore
ly yeXed 10y this, and many SANDER
Gus word was spoken-many a taunt-
ing glance given toward the chemist :
beautiful daughter as she passed the
cottage doors.
Antoinette knew of them all, but
she thought Of her triumph when she
should be 1T last Madame la Marquis
and held her peace.
1t was enough for her that young
Grenoble held her brown hand 81
tenderly in their secret rambles b,
moonlight, and said such hatterin;
things OF her beauty and her good
ness,
She trusted him as she would hav
trusted IN angel; but alas youn
GrenOblc Tas only very faulty mol
tai.
At las his visits to the cottage b(
came rarer; finally they ceased; an
AntOinette, horror-stricken, heard
rumor theG he was about to marry
beautiful yolng lady Of his own ran
within The next month.
She Tept and trembled, but refuse
to believe, and finally sought an il
terview with the young marquis.
She met him on the road near h
chateau, and he paused, confused, bl
defiant, to confront her.
This is not true they tell me
painted Antoinette. "You are not b.
trothad to that blue-eyed lady? Yc
love no one but me, as you have s
often told me? They are slanderir
you-aro they not, Grenoble? ?"
And she looked up into his ey
lovingly.
The youth put his arm around hi
waist.
III they say | have ceased to 10y
you they lie, he said. ITO be SUI
my family insist that [ shall mar
Nademo.seile Amanda; but what
that? | have still another chatea
and you and may yet be friends"
And he kissed her.
Antoinette let him do it; she mat
no indignant protests, only from h
black eyes gathered sheathing lgt
ming.
In o moment more she made him
courtesy and turned from him. VIII
she thought he could not guess.
She said not one word. Perha
he thought little Of her, for his we
ding day drew near, and his you
bride engrossed his thoughts.
1t came at last as sunny and bea
tilul a morning as ever shone
France, and every one in the villa
crowded toward the church to witnt