National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-10-19

A THRILLING SCENE.

{ y
less Harvey Wood. "Pledge with
wine ran through the bridal party.
The beautiful bride grew pale
the decisive hour had come. She
pressed her white hands together.
and the leaves of the bridal wreath
trembled on her brow her breath
came quicker, and her heart beat
wilder.
Yes, Marion, lay aside your
scruples for this once" said the
Judge in a low tone. going toward
his daughter, . the company expect
1T. DO not so infringe upon the
rules of etiquette; III your home do
as you please but in mine. for this
once, please me-"
Every eye turned toward the bri
dial pair. Marion's principles were
well known. Henry has been con
vlvallst but of late his friends no
ticed the change in his manners, the
difference in his habits. and to-nigh
they watched him to see, as they
snecringly said, if he was tied down
to a Woman's opinions so soon.
/ Pouring brimming cup, they
( held it with tempting smiles toward
Marion. She was very pale though
more composed and her hand shook
not. as smiling back, She gracefully
accepted the crystal, temptcr, and
raised it to her lips. But scarcely
had She done SO when every hand
was arrested by her piercing excla-
nation of " Oh !. how terrillew
" What is it p cried one and all,
/ thronging together, for she had
slowly carried the glass at arms
length, and was fiXcdly regarding
it as though it were some hideous
object.
" Watt She answered, while a
light, which seemed inspired. shone
! from her dark eyes, - wait, and
! will tell, | see" she addcd-slowlv
4 pointing one iewelcd finger at the
sparkling ruby liquid" a sight
that beggars all descriptions; and
yet listen-l will paint it if | can.
1t is lovely spot: tall mountains
crowned with verdure, rise in awful
suhlimity around Il river runs
! through, and bright flowers grow to
| the waters edge. There is a thick
warm mist, that the sun seeks vain,
/ ly to pierce. Trees, lofty and beau
tliul, wave to the airy motion of the
+ birds but .there-a group of In
dians they fit to and fro, with
something like sOTow upon their
dark brows. And in their midst
lies Il manly toim-but his cheek
how deathly, his eye wild with the
tittul fire of fever. One friend
stands beside him-nay, | should
say kneels, for he is pillowing that
poor head upon his breast.
" Genius inruinS-Oh. that high.
holy-looking brow! W hy should
/ death mark it SO young! Look how
he throws back the damp curls see
him clasp mis- hands! hear his thrill
ing shrieks for life . mark how he
clutches at the form of his compan-
ion, impioring to be saved Oh .
hear him call pitiously his fathers
name-see him twine his fingers to-
gcther as he shriekS for his sister
his only sister-the twin of his soul
weeping for him in his distant ma
tive land.
See" she exclaimed, while the
bridal party shrank back, the un-
tasted wine trembling in their fal.
tcring grasp, and the Judge fell.
ovcrpowered, upon his seat" see
his arms are lifted up to Heaven
he prays, now wildly. for mercy
hot fever rushes through his veins.
The friend beside him is weeping
awe stricken. the dark men move 81.
lently away, and leave the living
and the dying together.
There was Il hush in that princely
parlor, broken only by what seemed
smothercd sob, from some manly
bosom. The bride stood yet upright
with quivering lip, and tears steal
:. ing TO the outward edge of hel
lasheS. Her beautiful arm had lost
its tension, and the glass, with it,
, little troubled red waves, cam,
! slowly toward the range of her vi
sion. She spoke again; every lii
was mute. Her voice was low
: faint, yet awiully distinct; she still
fixed her surrow1ul glance upon til,
: wine cup.
at is evening now; the grca
, white moon is coming up, and hi
, beams lay gently on his forehead
He moves not his eyes are set il
their sockets dim are their pierre
ing glances; ; in vain his iricnt
whispers the name of father, sister,
death is there. Dcatll-and II,
; soft hand. no gentle voice to bles
= and sooth him. His head sink
? back. one convulsivc shuddcr I! III
, is dead !"
{ Dead" she repeated again. he
+ lips quiveling faster and faster, an,
+ her voice more and more broken
G "and there they scoop him a grave
!, and there, without shroud, the,
lay him down in that damp rcckin,
| earth. The only son of prou,
t father, the only idolzed brother of
!. fond sister. And he sleeps to-da.
| III that distant country, with n
/ stone to mark the spot. There h
\ lies--iny fathers soli-my own twil
: Or0thcr!- Ia victim to this dcadl.
e y nison! Father she exclaimed