The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-05-09

probable; however, composing himself,
he ventured to ask the names of the bride
and bridegroom.
Alexander, Fedora" answered tile
latter, in q rough voice.
The pastor now began to read the
forms Of tho marriage ceremony, and as
his voice faltcred and he made many
plumbers in the reading which the bridal
pair did not seem to remark, his suspi-
cion was confirmed that they did not un-
dcrstand his language. But when he
asked "Ncander, wilt thou here take
Fedora, now kneelipg beside thee, for thy
welded wife?' and he doubted whether
the bridegroom, ignorant Of his language,
could answer him, to his great astonish-
ment the latter spoke out "Yes," in an al
most screaming tone, which resounded
through the church. Deep sobs bursting
out simultaneously from the crowd &C.
companied this exclamation, and Wis
ible emotion. transient as tho distant
lightning flash, appeared to pass over the
almost motionless features Of the bride.
The old man then turned himself, speak
ing louder. to the bride, as if he wished
to wake her from her deathlike lethargy,
while he SAID, "Wilt thou Fedora. take
that man, knceling beside thee, for thy
husband, and honor him as such2 If so,
answer me in the affirmative"
Then the life!ess bride appeared to wax
en- up, a deep and awful shudder appear
cd to move her pale features, ner blood.
less lips moved, and quick, transient
fire sparkled in her eyes, her bosom heav-
cd, while a plentiful flood Of tears ex-
tinguished the momcntary sparkle of her
eyes, and the word " Yes" was heard like
the last word of dying soul, and an
pearcd to find al echo in the unrepresscd
cry of sorrow which simultaneously burst
from al present. The bride sank tx
hausted into the arms of the old woman
behind her, and relapscd into her former
state Of Unconstitutional so the ceremony
ended. The bridegroom rose up and
bore the lifeless form of the bride to her
former place, and the old woman and the
gigantic man followed them. The pastors
first conductors then appeared again, and
blindfoldcd his eyes as before, aud led
him, not without some trouble, through
the crowd, and having pushed him rudely
through the side door they bo!tcd it on
the inside, and left him standing alone in
the churchyard
Here he renamed for some time be-
wildercd and confused, uncertain wheth-
er all he had just witnessed was not a
dream. But when he had torn the band
age off his eyes, and he saw the church
before him still lighted up, and heard
the noise Of the people within it con-
tinuc, he felt convinced of the realty Of
the mysterious event lie had been an act
OF in. In order to observe as much as
possible the conclusion Of the strange
scene, he concealed himself in the corner
Of the porch, and anxiously listened, as
every moment the noise within became
louder and louder. 1t seemed as if Il
warm strife had arisen; he thought he
could distinguish the rough voice of the
bridegroom, who loudly commanded
silence. Then followed long pause,
which was succeeded by the piercing
scream of female voice. After that an
other silence, and then voice of loud
lamentations, which lasted nearly a
quarter Of an hour. The lights were
then suddenly extinguishcd, the confused
nsisc OF the crowd was again heard, aud
the whole multitude came streaming out
| of the church, and fastened noisly down
to the scushore.
After little while the pastor crept out
of his hiding p!ac: and FASTENED to the
village. lie then awokc his friends and
neiyhbors, and still laboring under the
effect OF his fright, related to them all
that had occurred. But SO peaceful, still,
and monotonous was the Usual course of
| cvf hts in the community, that an alarm,
If quite a different nature scizcd ON them
They believed their respected pastor had
lost his senses, and it WAS not without
some trouble that he persuaded some
of them to accompany him with pick
axes and shovcls, and follow him to III.
church.
In the meantime the night had pass d
away and the sun had appeared; and rs
the pastor and his companions were as
! cending the hill on which the church
stood. they saw a ship in full sail leave
the shore and steer northerly direction.
Such an rsusual sight in such solita1 V
neighborhood made them a little more
inclined to credit the old mans story and
it was confirmed when they found the
church door had been forcibly broken
open. Full of curiosity, they entered
the church, and the pastor pointed out to
them the grave which be had seen open
during the night.
It was easily perceived that the stone
had been lately displaced, and the tools
they had brought with them soon enabled
them again to remove it, and in the
opened grave was fonnd new and richly
decorated coffin. With almost youthful
impatlcncc the old man descended into
the grave Others followed him-and the
pastor soon found his horrible fobodings
confirmed. In the coffin lay the form Of
the murdered bride. The magnificent
diadem was gone. and pistol bullet had
apparently been discharged through hcl
heart. The traces Of grief and horror were
vanished from her features, which now
wore placid smile Of almost heavenly
expression, and she lay there like an
angel. The old man threw himself down
| weeping beside the coffin, and deep won.
der, horror, and establishment seized all
the beholders.
The pastor found himself in duty CON-
! PEELED to report this strange occurrence
to the Bishop of Zealand, and before he
went for the purpose to Copenhagen, he
requested his parishioners on no account
to mention what had occurred, TIE
grave was again covered up, and no ono
ventured again to speak of the matter
Il short time afterward man of high
rank arrived at the village from the seat
Of government, desired them to show him
the grave, and commended the pastors
prudence in preserving silence about the
matter; he ordered the whole affair to be
kept as private as possible, and threat
ened any one who dared to speak on tic
subject with the highest dispIeasurc Of
the authorities.
Alter the death of the pastor, among
his papers was found detailed account
Of the transaction attached to the church
records. Some believed that it was in
some way connected with events which
occurred in Russia in the period between
the death Of Peter the Great and that Of
| ho E,, ,,roco Cotl,nripo II bo~>&