The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-10-02
THE BRIDAL WINE CUP.
A True Story.

| Pledge with wine-pledge will
wine, cried the young and thoughtles'
Harvey Wood; pledge with wine, raj
through the brilliant crowd.
The beautiful bride grew pale-tht
decisive hour had come. She pressed
her white hands together, and the bri-
dalwreath trembled on her pure white
brow, her breath came quicker and
her heart beat wilder.
Yes, Marion, lay aside your scru-
pies for once, said the Judge, in a low
tone, going towards his daughter,
the company expects it. Do not se-
riously infringe upon the rules OF
etiquette; IN your own home act as
you please: bat in mine for this once
please me.
Every one turned on the bridal pair.
Marion's principles werewolf known.
Harvey had been a convivialist, bul
of late his friends had noticed a
change in his manners-a difference
in his. habits-and tonight they
watched him to see, as they snecring-
ly said, il he was tied down TO a wo-
mans opinion SO soon.
Pouring a brimming beaker, the
speaker held it with tempting smiles
toward Marion. She was very pale
though more composed, and her hand
shook not, as smiling back, she grace
fully accepted the crystal bumper and
raised il to her lips. But scarcely
had she done so, when every hand
was arrested by her piercing excla-
nation Of Oh! how terriblel
What is it? cried one and all,
thronging together, for she had slow
ly carried the glass at arms length,
and was fixedly regarding it as
though it were some hideous OBJ
ject.
What, she answered, while an in
spring light shown from her black
eyes, wait and I will tell you. 1 see
she added slowly, pointing one jew
eled finger at the sparkling ruby liq-
uid, sight that beggars all descrip-
ton. And yet listen-I will paint il
for you if can. 1t is a lonely spot;
tall mountains crowned with verdue
rise in awful sublimity around;
river runs through, and bright bow
ers grow to the waters edge, There
is thick warm mist that the spn
seeks in vain to pierce; trees, lofty
and beautiful, wave to the airy mo.
iions of the birds. But there is
group ofIndians gathered they float
to and fro with something like sorrow
upon their dark brows; and in their
midst lies manly form but his cheek
how deathly pale (! his eyes wild with
the fitful fires of fever! One friend
stands beside him-nay, 1 should say,
kneels; for he is pillowing that poor
head upon his breast.
Genius is ruins! Oil the high, ho-.
ly-looking brow! Why should death
mark it, and so young? Look how he
throws the damp curls; see him clasp
his hands hear his thrilling shrieks
for life mark how he clutches at the
form of his companion, imploring to
be saved Oh! hear him call piteous-
ly his fathers name! See him twine
his fingers together as he shrieks for
his sister-his only sister-the twin
Of his soul-weeping for him in hi.
native land.
See! she exclaimed, while the bri-
dal party shrank back, the untasted
wine trembling in her faltering GRASP
an! the Judge fell overpowered upon
his seat. See his arms are lifted to
heaven; he prays wildly for mercy
Hot fever rushes through his veins
The friend besides him is weeping.
Awe-strlcken, the dark men move ST.
lently away, and leave the living and
dying together.
There was hush in the princely
parlor, broken only by what seemed a
smothered sob from some manly bos-
ON. The bride stood yet upright,
with quiveiing lips and tears stealing
to the outward edges of her lashes.
Her beautiful arm had lost its ten
sion, and the glass with its little
troubled red waters, came slowly to-
ward the range of her vision. She
spoke again, every lip was mute.
Her voice was low. faint, yet distinct /;
she fixed her sorrowful. glance on the
wine cup.
1t is evening now; the great white
moon is coming up, and her beams lay
gently on his forehead. He moves
not, his eyes are set in their sockets
dim are their piercing glances-in
vain his friend whispers the name
of his father and sister. Death is
there-dcath, and no gentle voice 10
bless and sooth himl his head sinks
back! one convulsive shudderl he is
dead
A groan ran through the assembly.
So vivid was the description, so ur-
earthly her looks, so inspiring her
n