The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1867-03-13

she exclaimed, while. the bridal party
shrupk back, the untasted wine trembling
in their faltering grasp; the judge fell
overpowered upon his seat-''.ee bis arms
are lifted to Heaven he prsys, how
wildly, for mercy hot blood ever ru shes
through bis veins. The friend beside him
is weeping awe stricken, the dark men
move slowly away, and leave the living
and dying together"
There WAS hush in that princely par.
lor, broken only by what seemed smoth.
cred sob from some manly bosom. The
bride stood yet upright, with quiveriug
lips, and team stealing to the outward
edges Of her eye lsshes. Her beautiful
arm had lost its tension, and the glass,
with its little red waves, came slowly 10
ward the range Of vision. She. spoke
| again; every lip was mute. Her voice
wr' low, faint, yet awfnly distinct; she
still fixed her sorrowful glance rpon the
vine cup: "ltls evening now the great
white moon is coming up. and her beams
lay gently on his forehead. lie moves
not his ewes are act in their sockets ::
dim are their piercing gIsnces in vain
his TREND whispers the name Of father and
sister-dea,h is there. Death, and no
soft hand, no gentle voice to bless and
soo,he him. His head sinks backbone
c"nvulsive hudder-he is dsadI"
A groan ran through the assembly 30
vivid MAS hcr description, so uuear,hiy
her lock, so inspired her manner, III !,
what she described seemed actually to
have taken place then are :here. They
noticed also that the bridegroom hid his
face in his hands and was weeping.
dead" she repeated again, her lips
! q"ivering faster and faster, and her voice
more and more broken; "and there they
scoop him a grave. and there, without a
shroud, they lay him down. ia the cold
reeking earth. The only son Of proud
father, the only doTzsd brother Of fond
sister. And he sleeps to-day in that dis
.tant country. There he lays-my father,
SONNY only twin bro,her-a victim to
this deadly poison. Father" she exclaim
Cd, while the tears rained down her beau
tifuI cheeks, "father shall l drink j,
now I"
The form Of the old judee was con,
vulsed with agony. ue raised his head
but in a smothersd voice he faltsred -
"No, NO, my child; in Gods name
no."
She lifted the 'gl.t-ring goblet. and
letting it suddenly fall to the floor, it as
dashed icto u bousand pieces. Many a
tea rful eye watched her movement, and
instantaneously every wire glass va,
transferred 70 the marble table where i,
had been prepared. Then a. she looked a,
The fragments Of crystal, sheturnsd to the
company. saying: "Let no friend here
after, who loves me, tempt me to peril m ,
soul,for wine. Not frmer the ever!as,i ne
hills than my resolve. God being my hel
per. never to touch or taste that terrible
poison And he to whom have given
my hand. who watched over my brother,
dying form in that last solemn hour, and
buried the dear wanderer khers by tho
river, in tina. land Of gold. will, I trust
sustain me in that resolve. Will you not
my husband
His glistening eyes, his sad. .wee,
smile was her ans~sr. The Judge Ief,
the room, and when. an hour alter, he
returned. and with a more subdusd man
nor, took part in the entertainmen, Of the
bridal guests, no one could fail TO read
that he. too, had determined to dash the
enemy 1t once aud forever from his price
ly homo.
Those who were present at that we'd
ding can never forget the impression so
sclemnly made. Many from ths, hour
foreswore the social glass.