Louisiana capitolian., 1879-07-19
CHAPTER TX.

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TWO OF THE GREATEST EVENTS: OF
LIFE IN QUICK SUCCESSION.
"Of Heavens protection who can DO
So confident to utter this---G
Tomorrow ] will spend in bliss"
The day fixed upon for the cele-
bration of the nuptials of Bernard
O'Brien and Mabel O'Neill had dawn
ed under the most favorable aus
pices. It seemed as if the human eye
could penetrate the dense azure OF the
Southern sky; the balmy breeze of
the September morning impaired an
almost Intoxicating buOyancy. The
physical powers so lately enclvated
by the excessive heats Of August, re-
vived under the soothing influence of
the transparent atmosphere. Peace
and quiet almost sad in it's lifrless-
ness brOodcd over the distant fields,
and the slightly tinted foliage, and
the soul dilated by this deep exterior
beauty, instinctively turned heaven
ward to indulge in deeper imaginings
The GOvernor'smansion was thrown
open with lavish hospitality. The
furniture of the apartments was of
Eastern magniticence, the heavy Tur-
key carpets, the windows with their
rich draperies of crimson silk, and the
beautiful flowers of the Southern for
est, blending their brilliant colors with
rare exotics almost imbedded in their
deep green foliage lavished their deli
cious fragrance through the long vista
of gorgeously furnished rooms. The
house was already thronged with
guests who were to accompany the
bridal party to the church where the
nuptial benediction would be given.
A murmur of unrepresscd admira-
ton floated through the spacious
apartments, as the bridal party ar
ranged themselves in order to pro-
ceed to the church.
Mabel stood pre-eminent in lowell
ness and grace, simple robe of white
enshrouded her slight form; a trans
parent veil of point lace was confined
to her head by delicate wreath of
orange blossoms, and around the arm
of alabaster whiteness was clasped
golden bracelet, studded with enc
raids, O'Brien's gift ; at her side stood
Donua Rosalia de Guioso, the deep
olive of her rich Spanish complexion
enhanced by the costly gems that
decked her lofty brow. Around them
stood many of the Louisiana ladies,
their tall and exquisite shapes, beau
tifully set off by their graceful dress,
every curve of their lovely persons
displaying the very poetry of motion,
as they swayed to and fro, intent on
the gentle courtesies Of social life.
Bernard O'Brien's countenance was
replete with happiness, which lent a
new dignity to his fine manly form.
Thomas Power stood near, he had
neryed himself for the ordeal, and his
fine features were scarcely dimmed
by a tinge of sadness, the impassioned
and exalted expression told its own
tale, he had gathered strength from
trial.
At the appointed time they pro-
ceeded to the church, and when
the touching ceremony was con-
cluded, Father Everard addressed
few words to the newly welded
pair, which rivctcd the attention
of their surrounding friends. With
true paternal interest he spoke
to them in glowing words, of their
newly assumed duties, and their fu-
ture destiny by the sanctity of the
ties which they had just contracted,
he eDtreated them to let virtue and
the holiness of their lives shine mac
cessible and superior to the tainted
gales of caprice, suspicion and doubt;