The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-05-06

the reader Hazel eyes, auburn hair,
and bright complexion, tell nothing-it
was not in form or color that the beauty
lay. Perhaps it was because the face
was so sweet and true, or perhaps it was
in the eyes, which were serene to the
very dept hs-an inward serenity, which
made it impossible to associate anything
akin to sorrow with their possessor-I
know not-and must proceed with my
story.
Mr.. Linden's house was situated on a
crest of rising ground, about a mile dis
tant from an old sea port town. 1t COM
manded variety of scenery. which must
have satisfied the most difficult taste
The house faced the north, fronting the
broad bay, which swept into the open sea.
Between the bay and the house broad
expanse of level ground extended for miles
along the coast. On the southern side
were richly wooded slopes, with stretches
of meadow between, where, in the season,
the ripened grain waved like willowy
sea. The east side commanded view
of the town here distance leRt its usual
enchantment to the picture. Midway be-
tween the town and Mr.. Linden's house
stood the gray church which Mr.. Linden,
with his wife and daughter, always at
tended, and where two or three generations
of Mrs. Linden's family were buried
The white columns which marked the
graves of Mrs. Linnden's parents, and one
daughter, vino had died young, were on a
clear day distinctly visible from the house.
The month passed rapidly, as the
months always do when people are alb
sol bed. Marie WAS to marry the man of
parents would have chosen for her, could
their choice have comprehended the world,
The love of Marie Linden and George
Percival was fat contradiction to the old
saying, that "the course Of true love nev>
or runs smooth" During the two years
engagement, no shadow had ever darken>
ed their paradise-it had been a clear
sky, bright sunshine from first to last.
The 29th arrived, and the rsfst part of
the programme, which had long been ar
ranged, was carried out. The ceremony
took place at four o'clock in the afternoon,
only a few intimate friends being present;
bat there was to be bridal party in the
evening, and on the following day the
bride and groom wero to start on their
bridal tour.
Nine O'Clock came. when the rooms
| were filed with the beauty and aristocra-
| cy of both town and country. Never
was there a more beautiful bride than
Marie Percival. Never WAS there hap
pier groom than her husband. Never
was there gayer company than was as
| IL Al. l.
roof. Yet most of the guests have pro-
| baby retained only such recollection of
the evening as an unusually pleasant par
1 ty might leave upon the mind.
But for me, it is branded on my MEM
ory with a strength which years have had
no power to dim. The almost summer
warmth of the night, the blue sky with
out a cloud, the stars, the full moon
which lit up the old gray church, and the
two white columns. Within there was
the bewildering light, the perfume of the
flowers, the music of the waltz, and the
rapid whirl of the walters, as they float
ed past the open window, where l stood
gazing attentively upon the two pictures
-one without and one within. 1t was
there Marie joined me chiding me, in her
|
waltz. l told her that had been better
entertained then putting the lace cur
tains further back, l drew her close to
the window, and we stood there, hand
clasped in hand, for at lo6st five minutes
she gazing out upon the beautiful night,
talking of George, and of her expected
trip, with sometimes loving word for
myself; /, gazing upon her, thinking how
well her bridal robe became her, when |
saw the color slowly fading out from her
sweet face. thought it was the moon
light, and was going to draw the curtains,
when she stopped me. Pointing to the
monuments in the churchyard, which
were as visible as at midday, GLOW
many are there :" she said
1.-TWO, dear" l answered. "You know
there never were more"
'I count three" she said
Il / turned my eyes upon the monuments,
almost expecting to see third, but to
me there were only two. Yet felt the
hand which was clasped in mine grow
cold and rigid, while her face had become
like the marble upon W which her eyes were
SO intently fixed. l stroye to draw her
from the window-it was impossible. ]
entreated her to speak TO met was OF
no avail Thoroughly alarmed, said !
would call Mr.. PercivaL
"No, no, not him" she answered, while
perceptible sbudder ran thro' her frame.
I But mis- name had reused her from her
strange lethargy, or trance, or whatever il
might have been.
81 was reading the words, she said.
"What words, Marie! 7" / answered.
''You know the words on the monuments
and if you did not, you could not read
them at such distauce."
She replied, "I am speaking of the third
one; it is taller than the other two, and
the words arc so distinct: 'sSacred to the
| r a L n -.