The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-07-07

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lIarian's eyes were gazing away,
away of, as n seeking 70 wrest the
secrets from her future.
Oracle Rose gave little scream.
oh, you superstitious girl you
and yet, Marian, l have heard it was
q bad omen to try on q complete we'd
ding suit. And here you are, nothing
wanting, even the kids, and the slip
pers, and the veil and all.r
Marian smiled and shook her head.
T" Nonsense, Oracle. Yetto comfort
you, please notice have nos on the
wreath -
The young girl laughed joyously.
"Good, there's hope yet, then
Hark there comes Mr.. Grey, now
shall send him up?'
"fes, I'd like his epinion.r
A moment later, and winfield Grey
stood beside her.
Ny beautiful ,iariiag aIrnost my
bride! almost my darling wifep'
He kissed her fondly, then stepped
back to regard her toilette.
Perfect, little Marian Pure as
angels raiment. but none too fair for
you, darling II you wereonly little
less serious.r
He laughed as he spoke, but the
young girls face grew serious.
81 have such strange feeling, Win
field. Night after night dream Of a
barren seashsre where are rocks and
crags over which | am constantly
fleeing to find you. And there is a
tall, dark, magnificent woman who
haunts my dreams; with eyes like
very demoness that seems scorchlng
my heart out ofmy body. Then when
l awaken am so exhausted that ,hs
fright follows me half the day"
Her wistful blue eyes were lifted To
his face, but she had noticed the pal-
Tor that shifted across the proud hand
some features as she mentioned the
-.-tall. dark, magnificent" woman.
He laughed, and smoothed her light
curls away from her forehead.
III could but forget the sensation
the vision causesr
Perhaps you don't love Iae, Mari
a,,eer he said, gravely.
''oh, Winfield, sou know 10;
please don't say so, you hurt me-"
He kissed her rsweetqulvering mouth
Just as Oracle returned 20 assist Mari
an TO remove her bridal robes.
"We'll excuse yoa now Mt
Grey" she said merrily "PIl bring
Marian down presently, in mare
hUgable form.n
He threw the pretty brisiemaid 8
kiss, and went whistling down stairs,
happy, andforgetful of the ''tall, dark,
magnificent woman
''I'll take them off, Gracie,n snili
Marian. rs her betrothed's steps
sounded further away; ''but, i'll spoke
the truth from my heart, / should say
| think I'll never put them on again"
Oracle glanced in unappreeiatine
curiosity at the bride elect.
You talk 80, and still are sure you
love NJ. Grey?'
A glorious light came into her blue
eyes.
Love him, Gracie9 You never can
Know how much"
Then there's no danger that you
won't wear this in Old Trinity to-
morrow at midday" returned matter
ef-fact Oracle.
- " o. q hcW StdNCJ ONSi WHICH, Tie
ffOwers OF but seven weeks had bloom
ed; at its head stood q costly tomb
stone, and wreath of inmortelIes
was twined about it.
On its snowy-white surface were
that ere unmistaAabiy
precious to fond hearts; and the letters
ran thus
Sacred to WINFIELD GREY,
Aged 2S.r
On the high, sweet scented turf.
knelt in pitiful abandon, q young, Eair
haired girl, whose black robes swept
the spot where her darling lay at Iest.
She did not moan or cry, but un-
spoken agony was making her
slender frame quiver with deepest
emotion.
A little away, standing defiant and
stormy, was noble, commanding
her sable garments trailing
% the very sides of Winfield Grey's
grave.
Her hard bright eyes were watching
he fragile form that was kissing the
'od so passionately, all llunconseiOus of
The presence of any one, till her own
name, spoken in clear, musical tones
startled her.
Marian Thornew
She sprang to her feet, and gazsd at
he intruder.
"1spoke to you, Marian Thorne, be-
'ause | have right to do so. You
owed him, but not so much as j did
there, don't scream, for | am telling
he truth. worshipped him; he hat
ID me. You loved him; he worship
,ed you. That's all the difference.
You were to be his wife; / was east
III. cast off! Oh, those words will ring
n my ears through enternity!"
Marian sank to the groun {, cover
ng her face with her hands, white
tern and passioniess.
Ida Rossiture continued.
"The day he deserted me, that day
knew vengeance would follow him.
knew not what it would be; but
rben the papers told me he was dead,
ad died of heart disease on the we'd
ing morn, felt twas only just. He
ad crushed my heart, and / had to
We, just as you live, to suffer till the
nd. He cared not for the sacrifice /
lade to win him, and now lying cold
nd still under the summer daisies, he
nows not the fearful sacrifice you
ave been compelled to endure in CIV
lg him up.
With reverential tenderness she
ent over Winfield Grey's grave and
issed the weeping, widowed bride:
len departed as she came, silently,
lysteriously, leaving alone, in the
srly twilight, thestricken girl to bear
one her burden of sorrow.