The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-11-04

dlestlcks, adorned the altar, and the
church itself was splendidly illuminated
by profusion of candles. II before,
while standing blindfolded, the murmur
OF the surrounding crowd had filed his
soul with CONSERVATION, not less amazed
was he now at the unbroken silence
which reigned throughout the church;
the side passages and all the seats were
crowded to excess, but the middle pass
age was quite clear, and he perceived in
it newly opened grave, and the stone
which had covered it leaning against y
bench; around him he saw only male
figures; but on one of the distant benches
he thought he distinctly perceived fe-
male form. The silence lasted for some
minutes, during which not q motion
could be detected in that vast multitude.
Thus, wlasnsa spirit is bent on deeds of
darkness. q silent, gloomy brooding of
soul often precedes the horrid action.
At last man, whose magnificent
dress distinguished him from all the rest
and bespoke his elevated rank, rose and
walked hastily up the empty passage;
as he passed along, his steps resounded
through the building. and every eye was
turned upon him; he appeared to be of
middle stature, with broad shoulders and
strong limbs; his gait was commanding,
his nplexion of yellowish brown,
and his hair raven black; his features
were severe and his lips compressed as
if in wrath; bold aquiline nose height
ened the naughty appearance of his
cou ountenarce; and dark shaggy brows
lowered over his fierce eyes. He wore
a green coat, with large golden braids
and q glittering star. The bride who
now kneeled beside him, was magnifi-
Gently dressed. A sky blue robe, richly
trimmed with silver, enveloped her slen-
der limbs, and foated in graceful folds
over her form; diadem sparkling with
diamonds adorned her fair hair; the ut.
most beauty and loveliness might be
traced in her features, although despair
now expressed itself in them; her cheeks
were pale as those of corpse-her fea-
lures were unanimated-her lips were
blanched-her eyes dimmed-her power
less arms hung motionless by her almost
lifeless form. As she knelt before the
altar, the picture of death itself, terror
seemed to have wrapped her conscious
ness as well as her vital powers in for
tunate slumber.
The cure now discovered near him an
old, ugly hag, in pari colored dress,
her head covered with blood red tur-
ban, who stood gazing with an express
ion of fnry and mockery upon the kneel-
ing bride; and behind the bridegroom
he saw man of gigantic size and a
gloomy appearance, whose eyes were
fixed immovably upon the ground.
Horror struck, the priest stood mute
for some time, till thrilling look from
the bridegroom reminded him of the GER
emony he had come hither to perform.
But the uncertainty whether the couple
he was now about to marry understood
his language afforded him fresh source
of uneasiness. He ventured, however,
to ask the bridegroom for his name and
that of his bride: ''Neander and Feo-
dora" was the answer given in a rough
Voice.
The priest now began reading the rit-
ual in faltering accents, frequently mis-
taking and stopping to repeat the words.
without, however, ether the bride or
bridegroom appearing to observe his
confusion, which confirmed him in his
conjecture that his language was almost
unknown to either of them. On asking:
"Neander, wilt thou take this wo-
man for thy welded wife?" he doubted
whether he should receive any answer,
but to his astonishment the bridegroom
answered in the Affirmative with loud
and almost screaming voice, which rung
throughout the whole church with deep
sighs from the whole spectators accom-
panied the awful yes" and a silent
quivering, like the reflection of fash
of distant lightning, threw transitory
motion over the death pale features OF
the bride. The priest turned to her,
speaking louder to raise her from her
trance: .'Feodora, wilt thou have this
man for thy welded husband?" The
lifeless form before him at this question
seemed to awake-s deep conyulsive
throb of terror trembled on her cheeks
| her pale lips quivered-a passing gleam
of fire shone in her eyes-her breast
| heaved-a violent gush of tears flooded
the brilliance of her eyes. and the yes
was heard pronounced like the scream oi
anguish uttered by /. dying person, and
seemed to find deep echo in the sounds
| of grief which burst from the surround
ing multitude. The bride sank into the
arms of the horrid old hag, more
minutes passed in awful silence; tie
pale, corpse-like female then kneeled
again, as if in deep trance, and the
ceremony was finished. The bridegroom
| now rose and led the trembling bride to
her former place, followed by the tai
| man and the old woman; the two stran.
gers then appeared again, and having
bound the priests eyes, drew him will
| violence through the crowd, and pushed
him out at the door, which they ther
bolted within.
For some minutes he stood endeavor
| ing to recollect himself. and uncertain
! whether the horrid scene, with all it
ghastly attendant circumstances, nigh
not have been q dream; but when ht
had tom the bandage from his eyes, ant
saw the illuminated church before him
| and heard the murmuring OF the crowd
he was forced to believe its reality. II
learn the issue he hid himself in the cor
ner of the building, and while listening
there he heard the murmuring within
! grow louder and loude--then it seemed
| as If q fierce alteration arose, in which
he thought he could recognize the rough
voice of the bridegroom commanding
silence long pauce--a shot fell-th
shrek OF female voice was heard ,whicl
was succeeded by another pause-thel
followed sound of labo-, which Taste.
about quarter of an hour-the candle
were extinguished-the murmur aros
| again the door was flung open, and
multitude of persons rushed out of tn
church and ran towards the sea.
i The old priest now arose from his hid
ing place, ana has. ied back to the vii
iage, where he awoke his neighbors ant
friends and re ted to them his incredi