The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-25

busy. For, on this bright morning.. Inc young
master of Cripple Corner is married to it's young
.mistross, far away-to wit, in tho little. town Of
Brieg, 10 Switzerland, lying at the loot OF the
Simplon Pass, where she saved his life,
The bells ring gayly in the little town ofBrleg,
and Gags are stretched across the street, anarlne
shots are heard, and sounding mueic from brass
instruments. Streamer-decorated casks OF wine
have been rolled out under o gay awning In the
public way before the inn, and there Will be Tee
~feasting and ~revelry. What with bells and ban
ners, draperies hanging from windows, explosior
Of gunpowder, and reverberation OF brass music.
the little town of Brieg is all in . hutter, like tho
heads OF its simple people.
1t was o stormy night last night, and the
mountains are covered with snow. But the
sun is bright to-day, the sweet air is fresh, the
tin spires Of the little town OF Brleg are our.
nished, silver, Hand the Alps are ranges OF far-ot
white clouds 10 a deep blue sky. -,
The primitive people of the little town OF
Brieg have built q greenwood arch across the
street. under which the new married pan snsl
pass in triumph from the church. 1t is inscribed
on that side, "Honor and Love to Marguerite Ve9-
dale 70 for the people are proud Of her to enthG.
eiasm. This greeting ofthe bride under her new
lame is affectionately meant as q surprise, and
therefore the arrangement has been made thas
she, unconscious why, shall be taken to the
church by q ~tortuous back way. A scheme not
difficult to carry into execution In the crooked
little own of Brieg.
So, all things are in readiness, and they are
TO 60 and come on foot. IN the INNS
best chamber, festively adorned, are the bride
and bridegroom, the NeuchatelV NOTARY, the
London lawyer, Madame Dor, and Q certain
large mysterious Englishman. popularity known
as MonsieuriKhoe-Ladele And behold Madame
Dor, arrayed in q spotless pair OF gloves OF ner
| own, with no hand in the air, but both hands
| clasped round the neck OF the bride, TO en-.
brace whom Madame Dor has turned her broad
back on the company, consistent to the last.
"Forglve me, my beautiful" pleads Madame,
Dor, for that I was his she-cat!"
"She-cat, Madame Dor"
Engaged to sit watching my so charming
mouse" are the explanatory words OF Madame
| Dor, delivered with q penitential sob.
"Why, you were our best triendsi George,
dearest, tell Madame Dor. Was she not our
best friend?"
"Undoubtedly,. darling. What should We
have done without her."
"You are both go generous" cries Madame
| Dor, accepting consolation, and immediately re-
lapsing. '"But / commenced as . she-cat."
"Ahl But like the est in the fairy story,
good Madame Dor" says Vendale. ealuting het
| cheek, "you were q true woman. And, being
true woman, the sympathy OF your heart wa
| with true love-"
81 don't wish to deprive Madame Dor Of hel
share in the embraces that are going on" MI:
| Bintrey puts In, watch in hand, Sand I don't
presume to offer any objectionto your having got
yourselves mixed together, in the corner there,
like the three Graces. merely remark that ]
think 1t is time we were moving What are your
sentiments en- that subject, Mr. Ladder"
"Clear, sir" replied joey, with 3 gracious
grin. "im clearer altogether, sir, for having
| lived so many weeks upon the surface. IneYer
was half so long upon the surface afore, and it's
done me Q power Of good. At Cripple Corner,
was too much below it. Atop OF the Slmpleton,
1 was a deal too high above it. I've found the
medium here; sir. And il ever I take it In COZ
y1yial in all the rest Of nv days, | mean to dog
this day, 10 the toast of Bless 'em both"
81, too /" says Bintrey. A n now, Monsieur
Voigt, let you and me be two men OF Marseiiles.
a.lons, marchons, arm In arm"
They 60 down to the door, where Others are
waiting for them, and they go quietly to the
church, and the happy marriage takes place.
While the ceremony is yet in progress, the no
tary is called out. When it is finished, ne has
returned, is standing behind Vendaie, and
touches him on the shoulder.
$50 to the side door, one moment Monsieur
Vendsle. Alone. Leave Madame to me-"
At the side door of the church are the same
two men from the Hospice. They are snow
stained and travel-worn. They wish MIN JOY,
and then each lays his broad hand upon ten-
dale's breast, and one says IN q low voice, while
the other steadfastly regard him
ut is here, Monsieur. Your litter. Tho very
same"
"My litter is here? Why
'"Hushl For the sake Of Madame. Your com
panion Of that day
What OF him 7"
The man looks at his comrade, and his com
rade takes him up. Each keeps his hand laid
earnestly on Vendale's breast.
"He had been living at the first Refuge, mon
sieur, for some days. The weather WIS now
good, now bad"
0"Yes?"
"He arrived at our Hospice the day before
yesterday, and, having refreshed himself with
sleep on floor before the fire, trapped IN his
cloak, was ~resolute to 90 on, before dark, to the
next Hospice. He had o great fear of that part
OF the way, and thought it would be Scree to-
morrow"
"YesT'
"He went on alone. he had passed the Gal
lery. when all avalanche-lke that which feu be-
hind you near the Bridge Of the Ganther-"
CHILLED him I"
eve dug him out suffocate6 and broken Pill to
pieces. But, monsieur, as to madame. W. have
brought him here on the litter to be buried. We
must ascend the street outside. Madame must
not BEE. It would be an accursed thing to bring
the litter through the arch across the street
until madame has passed through. AS you de.
scend, we who accompany the litter will set il
down on the stones OF the street the second to
the right, and will stand before it. But do not
let madame turn her head toward the street the
second to the right. There is no time to lose: