The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-03-02

crowd
The beautiful bride grew pale-the decisive
hour had come. She pressed her white hands
together, and the bridal wreath trembled on
her pure white brow; her breath came quicker,
and her heart beat wilder.
"Yes, Marion, lay, aside your scruples for
once" said the Judge, in low tone, going to-
ward his daughter, "the company expects it.
Do not seriously infringe upon the rules OF
etiquette; in your own house act as you please /;
but in mine, for this once please me-"
Every eye was turned toward the bridal pair.
Marion's principles were well known. Harvey
had been convivalist, but of late his friends
had noticed change in his Manners differ
cnce in his habits-and tonight they watched
him to see, as they sneeringly said, if he was
tied down to woman's opinion so soon.
Pouring brimming =beaker, they held it
with tempting smiles toward Marion. She was
very pale, though more composed, and her hand
shook not, as smiling back, she gracefully ac-
cepted the crystal bumper and raised it to her
lips But scarcely had she done SO, when every
hand was arrested by her piercing exclamation
of "Oh how terrible"
"What is it?" cried one and all, thronging
together, for she had slowly carried the glass
at arms length, and was fxedly regarding it as
though it were some hideous object.
"Wait" she answered, while an inspired
light shone from her black eyes, "wait, and l
will tell you. see," she added, slowly, point
ing one jeweled finger at the sparkling ruby
liquid, "a sight that beggars all description.
And yet listen-I will paint it for you if | can.
1t Is lonely spot tall mountains crowned with
verdure rise in awful sublimity around a river
runs through, and bright bowers grow to the
waters edge There is a thick warm mind that
the sun seeks in vain to pierce; trees, lofty and
beautiful, wave to the airy motions of the birds.
But there a group of Indians gather; they float
to and fro with something like sorrow upon
their dark brows and in their midst lies q
manly form, but his cheek, how deathly pale
friend stands besides him-nay l should say,
kneels for he is pillowing that poor head upon
his breast
"Genius in ruins Oh ! the high, holy-look-
ing browl Why should death mark it, and so
see him clasp his hands hear his thrilling
shrieks for life mark how he clutches at the
form of his companion, imploring to be saved
Oh hear him call piteously his fathers name
See him twine his fingers together as he shrieks
for his sister-his only sister-the twin Of his
soul-weeping for him in his native land
'See l' she exclaimed, while the bridal party
shrank back, the untasted wine trembling in
their faltering grasp; and the Judge fell over
powered upon his seat. "See his arms arc lif-
ted to heaven he prays now wildly for mercy
Hot fever rushes through his veins The
friend beside him is weeping. Awe-stricken,
the dark men move silently away, and leave
the living and dying together"
There was hush in that princely parlor,
broken only by what seemed smothered sob
from some manly BOSOM The bride stood yet
upright, with quivering lips and tears stealing
to the outward edges of her lashes. Her beau
tiful arm had lost its tension, and the glass,
with its little troubled red waves, came slowly
toward the range of her vision. She spoke
again every lip was mute. Her voice was low,
faint, yet awfully distinct; she fixed her sor-
rowful glance on the wine-cup.
'It is evening now; the great white moon is
coming up, and her beams lay gently on his
forehead He moves not-his eyes are set in
in vain his friend whispers the name of father
and sister. Death is there-death, and no gen
tie voice to bless and soothe him His head
sinks back! one convulsive shudder! he is
dead p
A groan ran through the assembly. So vivid
was her description, so unearthly her look, so
inspiring her manner, that what she described
seemed actually to have taken place then and
there They noticed, also, that the bridegroom
hid his face in mis- hands and was weeping.
"Dead p' she repeated again, her lips quiver-
ing faster and faster, and her voice more bro.
ken; "and there they scoop him grave, and
there, without shroud, they lay him down in
the damp, reeking earth. The only son of a
proud father, the only idolized brother of a
fond sister, And he sleeps to-day in that dis
tant country, with no stone to mark the spot.
There he lies-my fathers sonny own twin
brother--a victim to this deadly poison
"Father!" she exclaimed, turning suddenly,
while the tears rained down her beautiful
cheeks: 'father, shall drink ii now?"
The form of the old Judge was convulsed
with agony He raised his head, and in q
smothered voice he faltered, "No, no, my child
lin Gods name, no !"
She lifted the glittering goblet, and, letting
it suddenly fall to the floor, it was dashed into
a thousand pieces Many fearful eye watched
her movement, and instantaneously every wine
glass was transferred to the marble table on
which it had been prepared. Then, as she
looked at the fragments of crystal, turned to
the company, saying;
me to peril my soul for wine Not firmer the
everlasting hills than my resolve, God helping
me, never to touch that terrible poison. And
he to whom have just given my hand who
watched over my brothers dying form in that
last solemn hour, and buried the dear wander.
rer there by the river, in the land of gold, will
1 trust, sustain me in that resolve. Will you
not, my husband 2"
His glistening eyes, his sad, sweet smile was
her answer.
The judge left the room, and when an hour
after he returned, and with more subdued
manner took part in the entertainment of the
bridal guests, no one could fail to read that he
too, had determined to dash the enemy at once
and forever from his princely home.
Those who were present at the wedding car
never forget the impression so solemnly made
Very many of the party from that hour fore
swore the social glass.