The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-09-21
The Brides Death

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thing. Yet, if you ask the reason Of
its name, any peasant girl in Langue-
doc will tell you the same story
There lived, within sight of the
Rhone, years ago, All old chemist and
his daughter He was a German by
birth, but had married a French wo-
man, and since that day dwelt in hel
native land His name was Werner
His daughters, Antoinette.
She was very handsome girl, and
since her mothers early death had
been the ministering spirit of her
fathers humble dwelling, and was
loved by HIM very fondly.
She had singular disposition, gen
orally merry and good humored but
when aroused to anger utterly unap-
peasable, until she had in some way
/ punished the offender, and with her n
quarrel was never made up with tears
anu kisses, rs with other girls. 1t
was a lucky thing that she quarreled
very rarely.
Being beautiful and, in the peasants
ewes, an heiress of some importance,
even the dread which was generally
entertained OF old Werner, on account
+ Of his mysterious chemist lore, did
not keep suitors from the door.
( But Antoinette looked coldly on the
sterner sex, until one autumn morn
ing the young Marquis of Grenoblo
was brought by fate to break bis arm
at Chemist Werner's door, and to be
nursed back to health and strength by
the old man, who was as cunning n
eech as any in all Languedoc.
1t had been a dangerous illness, ow
ing partly TO the heat of the weather
and the fact that the young marquis
had been drinking much moro wine
than was good for him, and the recoy-
cry was quite n miracle
The youth Was properly grateful,
and would have rewarded the old man
with money and with gifts.
These being declined, be bestowed
upon the chemist and his daughter his
friendship, and became regular visit
or at their little home
/ soon lie declared to Antoinettc that
be was miserable save in her presence,
and that she possessed not only his
friendship but his heart.
She was a warm-hoarted passionate
creature, and after his ayowai of love,
every day found the handsome mar
quis dearcr to her
For his sake she decked herself in
holiday attire, for bis sake braided the
splendid black hair that glittered like
lei 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 foresook
her old companions, and took to study
ing the speech and manners OF those
above her, until the little peasan. vul-
gamtics into which she had fallen were
quite unlearnt
The girls Of her village were sore
ly veXed 10y this, and many slanderous
word was spoken many haunting
glance given toward the chemists
beautiful daughter as she passed the
cottage doors
Antoinettc knew Of them all, but she
thought of her triumph when she
should be at last Madame In Marquisc,
and held her peace.
1t was enough for her that young
Grenoble held her brown hand so
tenderly in their secret rambles by
moonlight, and said such hattering
things OF her beauty and her good
ness.
She trusted him rs she would have
trusted an angel, but, alas young
Grenoble was only very faulty NOR
tai.
At last his visits TO the cottage be-
came rarer; finally they ceased; and
Antoinette, horror stricken, heard a
rumor that he was about to marry a
beautiful young lady of his own rank
within the next month.
She wept and trembled but refused
to believe, and finally sought an inter
view with the young marquis.
She met him on the road near his
chateau and he paused, confused but
defiant, to confront her.
"This is not true they tell me? 2
painted Antionette. you are not be-
trothed to that bue-eyed lady? You
love no one but me, as you have so Of
ten told me They are slandering you
are they not, Grenoble?'
And she looked up into his eyes
lovingly.
The youth put his arm around hel
waist
IF they say have ceased to love
you, they lie, he said. ITO be sure
my family insist that | shall marry
Malemoiselle Amanda; but what O
that? | have still another chateau
and you and 1 may yet be friends.
And he kissed her.
Antoinette let him do it; she made
no indignant protests, only from hel
black eyes ghttered sheathing lightn
ing.
In moment more she made him q
courtesy and turned from him. What
she thought he could not guess.
She said not one word. Perhaps he
thought little of her, for his wedding
, day drew near, and his young bride
engrossed his thoughts.
1t came at last, rs sunny and beau
tiful morning as ever shone on France