The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-07-09
MISCELLANY.
/. DEAD AT TIE ALTAR"
ny E. Amy.

| fAtrnrss r4t-~
DY e. Amy.
~ Bertha was dead--died at the altar before
the wedding ring had circled her finger, OF
the name of wife had fallen upon her ear"
So ran the hasty epistle in which was sum
moned TO join the funeral solemnities, instead
of the marriage festivities at my uncle's resi-
dence.
What could it meant this sudden and aw-
full death of my cousin Bertha, who was
seemingly in the full rich glow of health and
happiness, about to become the wife of one
of the most distinguished and wealthy men OF
the State {? so - IS
Was this compulsory marriage, and were
her affections in the keeping of another p
Had she obeyed her father, and fallen sacri-
flee to hispersuason 9t
had been the playmate of Bertha's child
hood. We had dwelt together in the same
household-Ian orphan, and she motherless
had been her gallant q youth, her favorite
and confidante. Had been too we'll remem-
bered in absence She had written me but
once after her engagement, saying that cher
grlish days were over, and that she had sub
mitted to the wishes Other father in becom-
ing the affianced of her fathers friend She
presumed she should behappy after the Gus
tom of the world. She supposed women
were born expressly for their allotment. Had
she consulted her own heart, she should have
waited much longer before choosing COM
panon for life !; but as the honor had been
somewhat thrust upon her, she would sustain
it gracefully and dutifully, hoping to be con-
tent and happy"
This was one year precisely before the we'd
ding night--the night. Of her death. Duty
and feeling kept me from witnessing her mar
riage, but nothing interfered now between us,
she was as much mine in death as any ones.
could not claim her living, but in death
might not believe her mine
arrived at the house of mourning, where
tile decorations of the marriage festival were
overriding with folds of sable-black Grape,
knotted with bridal flowers, and black and
white folds plated and interviewer from the
entrance hall through the long apartments
from floor to ceiliug-up the winding stair
case, everywhere gently undulating with the
soft balrny breath of June, floated and sway
ed the symbol of death-hung, budded and
b,ossomed the bridal flowers. aa
All but the bridal chamber, and this alone
bore no emblem of death, save the stiffness of
the marble figure outstretohed and pulseless
upon the richly decorated bridal couch.
Thither was silently led by tiny bereaved
uncle, whose convulsiye clasp of the hand
and fixed stony gaze told the sorrow his lips
refused to utter. He left me alone with the
dead, and gazed as one in trance, not re-
alizing that Bertha was indeed dead, but only
a little while asleep to wake on the morrow.
Never had seen form and face SO perfect
as was Bertha's in her bridal robes aud flow
ers, hushed in the repose of death. A flow
ing veil swept from her fair high brow, and
dark braided hair, over her Parian shoulders,
down to the small feet cased in their bridal
slippers.
One fair hand rested on her pulseless heart,
and oh that death should still the heaving
of that matchless breast before mothers
love had filed its fount of joy
Bertha lay as one in sleep /; the dark lashes
lay like silken fringe upon qer rounded
cheeks her lips were read with the fullness
of life, and soft sad smile still fingered a.
round her slight parting, through which the
small teeth shone dazzlingly white. Only
around the gently curved nostrils fingered ev-
idence of the struggle and tho victory of
death.
was aroused from the trance into which
had fallen, by the entrance of two persons
Tn one recognized the lover and almost the
husband of Bertha. He was man much old
er than his efianced-tall, thin, with sharp
features, and high pale brow. Thin brown
hair hung to his shoulder, tossed wildly 10
many directions. He who entered with him
was in the prime of Youthful manhood, and
his dark eyes burned with the fire of an I'M
consumed temperament. His figure was man.
ly and FULL and face of beauty and Impress
ment once seen never forgotten. His dark
hair rolled in masses and lay in rich profus-
ion upon his shoulders.
The last rays of the setting sun came
through the crimson-draped windows, lending
softened glow to the beautiful figure before
me. as the two men advanced to look upon
the beauty of death
Z" Great God . exclaimed the one with the
deep emotion of an artistic soul, " how coult
so much beauty die !"
Beautiful beautiful " murmured th'
other, 10 cold classic manner. 1t is thi
beauty, Claude, you must preserve with you
1 pencil, --more beautiful in death than in life
for now the soul is OF rest =" he seemed +
add to himself
1 withdrew, for how 1 knew Bertha ha
never loved him, aud her spirit died with
her when aboift to be husbanded to one SO tx
tally different from herself.
4 Claude, tho artist, shut out the light {