Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-01-06

On the bridal night, Egiantlne
claimed the privilege Of dressing
her cousin, though she would not
oficiate as bridesmaid, much TO
Leuie's surprise, for it had been
compact, made in their school days.
With cold fingers did Byzantine
twine the orange blossoms in her
cousins raven curls when Leuie re-
marked it, Byzantine replied:
1t is nothing, / have felt quite
Ill lately" Then giving a last touch
to the glossy curls and floating veil,
Byzantine said. 'sThere, darling,
you look beautifully, Roy viii be
proud OF his sweet, wee bride"
Wiping q few tears from her glo-
rious eyes, Byzantine took Leuie in
her arms, saying: In a short hour,
Leuie, you'll belong TO another,
your hero, and you must go from
my arms to his. Promise me that
youll be a true and faithful wife 10
the noblest man on earth"
81 promise faithfully, Byzantine
and may the kind Father help me to
keep my vow," said Leuie, solemn
" raising her melting grey eyes TO
meet her cousins glance, while q
sweet, grave expression stole over
her dimpled face.
" Goodbye, darling, God bless
you and make you happy" and with
one kiss Byzantine was gone.
Outside she met Roy Vinton.
- I've waited for you, come with
me on the balcony, il is the last time
and l must speak TO YOU"
Silently Byzantine followed to the
balcony, where the salt breeZes blew
upon her fevered brow. Under
meath, the grand old ocean thunder
ed on the rocks that supported
- Castle Craig" (the name OF Leu
les estate.) Overhead a clear and
cloudless sky from which the moon
shone brightly on the young couple
standing there in q world of woe
and misery.
"Can we not persuade you to
make your home, at least, part OF
the year with us ~ said Roy, sadly.
Byzantine fixed her magnificent
brown eyes on his face.
''Roy Vinton, you, as well as /,
know that it would be simply pre-
posterOus. Do you think have no
heart, no feeling!" and the delicate
hands sought in vain to stay the
tears that would fall.
''Afy poor Byzantine, this IS too
much for you. Say but the word,
and | will brave all and fly to the ut
most ends of the earth with you. Is
il my fate to marry another, while
my whole heart cries out for Eglan-
tine Camethers !'
"Think you that Byzantine Came
theirs is so base as to wish you to
desert your bride upon the very
night of your wedding But I must
go, this interview but renews the
torture of both. FarweH, a long
last farwell. Roy, We shall never
meet again.
"Why ? Byzantine" cried Col.
Vinton as he caught Miss Camether's
hand, "shall we nOtmeet in society,
when you are happy wife 20
'No, Col. Vinton, we shall not,
for l do not intend to enter society
again or to marry. Goodnight"
"But how win you live 2"
81 shall live for others now" was
the sweet, low reply, and a holy
light came into the dewy velvet
eyes, ''pray release my hand, Col.
Vinton."
For an answer Roy Vinton took
her in his arms, and pressed kiss at
ter kiss on the pure pale face and
sweet, sad eyes.
''Must 1 give you up, my darling
Byzantine FarWen then, my souls
idol" and he released her and bow
ed his head in anguish too deep for
words. A pair Of soft hands descen-
ded on his bowed head, and a gentle
voice murmured:
''Treat Leuie kindly, may Your
life be full of sunshine, Roy NintOn,
my hero, is the earnest prayer Of
Eglantine Camethers," and when he
raised his head, he was alone.
An hour later, the bride and
groom came down, Leuie looking
very lovely and happy. They stood
before the gray-haired priest that
had baptized her, and I.euie Rossi-
teur was Roy Ninton's wife now,
his TO love, cherish aud protect, but
Leuie's had a happy ring. When
the solemn word, ''whom God hath
joined, let no man put asunder," ,"
were spoken, Byzantine Camethers
tainted quietly away. Overtaxed
nature had at last refused to sustain
her any longer.
When le bon ton saw Col. Roy
Vinton carry the slight frame to the
window for air, leaving his child
bride, why did he not marry Eglan-
tine Camethers, instead of Leuie
RossitGur; he loved the fair Miss
Camethers best.
Ten years have rolled away with
their alterations of April blooms
and December SHOWS. 1t was a cosy
little room with a bright sea-cOal
/ fire blazing at one end, and before
| it sat beautiful lady of twenty.
eight, one hand supported the dain-
| ty regal head with its crown of gOl-
den hair, and the other plays list.
/ lessly with the curly ears of a little
King Charles spaniel, who reclined
on his mistress's blue silk. a light
knock at the door, and a servant en-.
tered.
''Miss Byzantine, a gentleman witt
little girl to see you.''
"ShOW them in, Lisette."
a moment later the door opened
and 4 tall, dark-bearded gentleman
entered, leading a little girl in deep
est mourning. Eglantine Camether!
sat still a moment pressing hel
hands over her eyes, then springing
to her feet, she cried with GLAD
ring in her voice; "Roy, Roy Vim
ton," and she glided across the room
to his side. then noticing the littl,
girl, and the heavy band of Grape OF
his hat, she whispered. ''Leuie -
''Is dead, Eglantine.n
/ She sank on her knees by a chair
the rich silk trailing over the car
pet, and the freight dancing titful
" on the white shoulders and mas
ses of golden hair. While as tn
driven snow became the sweet face
/ then lowering her head upOl
her hands, she burst into tears.
"When and wheTe?' she said a
last.
iShc died IN Florence nearly
year ago, and sent you her daughter
to be a mother to her, as her mothe
was to you. She said tell Eglar
tine that l know ala. and say that
would rather have died than for he
TO have sacrificed herself as she die
Soon you viii be free, Roy, seek he
and tel . her that my last desire j
! that she should be a mother to N
darling, and the only way that sh
! can be so, is as your wife. Task he
this IN memory of my mothers an
, our early love"
Eglantine did not move for seyC
l ral minutes, then she rose and wen
2 to the little girl, and taking her i
her arms she seated herself befoT
2 the fire, and united the chiId's vel
!, a sweet, oval face, carmine cheek
: and Leuie's melting gray eyes, an
. thick. clustering black CUrls.
e 'Her name," said Eglantinc gen
: ly.
> .Eg!antine Camethers Ninton.