South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-09-12
The Bridal Wine-Cup.

VIC SAANoi parry.
The beautiful bride grew pale-tbe
decisive hour had come. She pressed
her white hands together. and the leaves
OF the bridal wreath trembled ON her
brow; her breath came quicker and
her heart beat wilder.
Yes. Marion, lay aside Your scru pies
for this once said the Judgo, in a low
tone to his daughter. the company ex-
pect Il. Do not SO seriously infringe
upon the rules of etiquette; in your own
nome do as you please, bat in mine, for
this once, please me-
Every eye was turned toward the
bridal pair. Marion's principles were
we'll known. Harvey had been a con-
vivia'ist, but of late his friends noticed
the change in his manners, the differ
ence in his habits, and tonight they
watched him to see, "a they sneeringly
said, If he was tied down 20 q woman
opinion 50 soon.
Pouring trimming cup. they held il
with tempting smile towards Marion
Size was very pale. though moro compos-
cd; and her hand shook not ms, smiling
back, she gracefully accepted the crys.
tal tempter and raised il to her lips
But scarcely had che done so when ev-
cry hand was arrested by her piercing
exclamation of %, how terribler
What is it?' cried one and all throno.
ing together, for she had slowly carried
The glass at arms length, and was FIX
lily regarding it az though it were
some Eideous object.
Wait she answered, while q light
which seemed inspired shone from her
dark eyes, wait, and will tell YOU.
see she added slowly, pointing one Jew
eled finger at the sparkling ruby liquid
q sight which beggars all description !;
ana yet iistcn-l will paint it for YOU il
can. 1t is lovely spot; tall noun
tains crowned with verlure rise in the
awful sublimity around; river runs
through, and bright flowers grow TO the
waters edge. There is thick warm
mist that the sun seeks vainly to pierce.
Trees, lofty and beautiful, wave TO the
airy motion of the birds; but there-a
group Of Indians gather; they fit TO AMI
fro with something like sorrow upon
their dark brows. And in their midst
lies manly form, but his cheek, how
dcathly his eye wild with tue litful frc
OF fever. One friend stands beside
him-nay, 1 should shy kneels, for see,
he IS pii!owiOg that poor head upon his
breast.
'Genus in ruins! O, the high holy
locking brow why should death mark
it and hc so young? Lool; how he
throws back The damp curls Sec him
clasp his hands! Hear his thrilling
oh tnty for IL
ut the form OF his companion imploring
TO be saved. . hear him call piteously
his fathers name. See him twinc his
fingers together IS be shrielSs for his
sis.er--hi5 only sister, the twin Of his
soul weeping for him in distant ma
tive land
sec" she exclaimed, willie the bri-
dal party shrunk back. the untasted wine
trembling in their faltering grasp and
the Judge fell, overpowered, upon his
scat-'See his arms are uplined 20
heaven lie prays, how wildly. for mer-
cy Hot fever rushcs through ils veins.
Tie friend beside him is Weeping: awe.
stricken, the dark men move silently
away, and leave tho living and dying TO.
gctaer.'
There was a hush in that p,inccly
parlor, broken only hy what seemed a
smJ;hcred sob from some manly hos.
on. The bride stood yet upright, with
qoiyeri1g lip, Nnl tears stealing 20 the
outward edge Of her la5hes Her bean
ti(ul arm had lost its tcntion, and the
glass, with its troubled waves. came
slowly 20 the range Of her vision. She
spoke again; every lip was mute. Her
voice vas low, faint, yet awfully dis
t.nct, she sill fixed her sorrowful
glance upon the vine.cup.
1t IS evening now, the great white
moon IS coming up. and hcr beams lay
goatiy on bis forehead. lie moves not
bis eyes GTc sol 10 their sockets dim
are their piercing Chances in vain ms
lrIcud Whisper The name OF father and
ulster death i5 there Dcath-aud no
sOt. hand, no gentle voice 10 bless and
sOOtlc him. Ills head sinks back ono
convulsjvC shudder he is dead (!
4 groan ran through the assembly.
SO vivid was The description, so uneartb-
ly hgr look % inspired Der manner, that
what she described seemed actually 60
have taken place then and there They
noticed also That tho bridegroom hid HE
face 10 bis bands and vas weeping.
Deaf " she repeated again. her .ip
quive,ing fast and faster. aud her voice
more and more broken. And ;herc thew
scoop him q grave and there without
suroui, they las BIN down in that damp
reckug earth. The only son of proud
iut1er Tho only i5olized brother OF a
fond sister Aud be sleeps in that die
taut country with no stone 90 mark tho
spot There he lies my Fithers son,
my own hcin Bcohsr "a victim 90 this
deadly poison Father. she exclaimed.
turning suddenly, while go tears ran
down her beauira cLcoLs, Father.
shall drink 90 nowY
The form OF Che Oil judge vas con.
vuIsed With agony. 10 raiscl not his
heal. hut in a smothered VOICE he ial.
tc'ed, No. no. my cmh-NOr
She Iioed tbe glitlctng goblet. and
letting 70 l1.l suddenly % tic floor. it
was dashed jn thousand pieces. Many
g 'co'Iui eve wa'chcd her movement.
md. simultaneously, every vino glass