Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-12-15
THE BRIDAL WINE-oUP.


"ALEDGE with wiue-pledge with wine."
- cried the young and thoughtless Harry
Wood; "pIedRe with wine" ran through che
crowd.
The beautiful bride grew pale-lhe decisive
hour he'd come. She pressed her white hands
together, aud the leaves of her bridal wreath
trembled on her pure brow; her breath came
quicker aud her heart heat wilder.
Yes. Marion. lay aside your scruplss fcp
this once" said the judge. fE low tone, 60
ing towards his daughter, ''the company eI.
pect it. Do not seriously infringe upon the
rules of etiquette; in your own home act As
you please. but in mine, for this once, please
me"
Every eye was turned towards the bridal
pair. Marion's principles were we'll known.
Harry had been 4 convivlalist. but Of late his
friends had uoticed the change in his man>
ners, the difference in his hahits-and to night
they watched TO see, as they sneeringly said,
if he was tied down TO n Womans opinion 90
soon.
Pouring trimming beaker, they held is
with tempting smiles toward Marion She
was very rale. though more composed. and
her hand shook not as smiling back. ahe grace
fully accepted the crystal tempter aud raised
it to her lips But scarcely had she done so.
when every hand was arrested by her piercing
exclamation of "Oh how terribIe!''
What is it," cried one aud all. thronRing
together, for she had slowly carried the glass
at arms length, and was fxadly regarding it
rs though it was some hideous object.
WAT" she answered. while an inspired
light shone from her dark ewes, wait and I
will tell YOU. see." she added. slowly
pointing one jeweled 6uger at the sparkling
liquid, "a sight that hegears all description,
and yet listen-t will paint it for you if can
II is a lonely spot; tall mountains crowned
with verdure rise in awful subIimity around;
a river runs through and bright h"wers prow
to the wnter's edge. There ia . thick, warm
mist that the sun seeks Vainly 20 rierce.
Trees, lofty and heautifti, wave to the airy
motion Of the birds; hut there q group Of
indians gather: they dit TO and fro With
something like sorrow upon their dark broWs.
and in their midst lies manly form-but
his dark cheek how deathlv. his eyes Wild
with the fi'ful FIRE IF fever One friend stands
beside him-nay | should saw kncels--fo for
see, he is pillowing that poor head upon his
breast
Genius in ruins--"h tho high, holy look
ing brow, why should death mark Il, and be
so young? :? Look how he throws back the
damn curlS! see him clasp his hanAsi hear
his thrilling shricks for life mark how he
clutches at the form Of his companion. im-
plnring 10 be saved Oh ! hesr him call pitt
enusly his fathers name SEQ him tWine his
fingers together he shrieks for his sister
the twin of his soul-wceping for him 10 his
native distant land
"See !" she exclaimed, while the bridal
party shrank back. the un'astod wine trem>
bling in their grasp. and the Judge fell over.
powered upon his seat -"see, his arms are
lifted to heaveu-he rrays. how wildly. wild.
iy. for mercy but fever rushes through his
veins. The friend beside him IL weeping,
awe-stricken, the dark men move moro silent.
ly away. and leave the living and dying TO-
gPther."
There was hush in that princely parIor,
broken only by what seemed q smothered sol,
from some manly bosom The bride aiood
yet upright. with quivering lip and tears
stealing tn the outward edge of her lsshes
Her beautiful arm had lost its extension. and
the glass, with its little troubled red wAves
came slowly towards the range Of her vision.
She spoke agaip-every lip was mute. Her
voice was low and faint, vet aWfulIy distinct.
She still fixed her sorroWful glance upon the
vino,
"It is evening now, the great white moon
is coming M. and his beams lay gently on his
forehead He moves not. his eyes are cot in
their sockets; dim are their piercing RlAnces;
in vain his friend whispers the name OF father.
and sitter. Death and no soft hand. no
gentle voice to bless aud soothe him. Bis
hesd sinks back, one oopvuisive shuddet, he.
is dead"
A grnau ran through the assembly 20 vivid
was her description. 40 npearthly her look ~
inspired her manner. that what phs described
feemed setaaily 10 b4ve taken place then and
there. They noticed alan ihatt tbe bridegroom
bad bid his face Ih bis hands sDd wac weep
ing
Dad r. repeated eesin ber lipsnniP.
cIirR f|l|ff "a her toifs moro and nort
-. A. - ff.