The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-07-28
"TilI Death Us Part. "
BY MRS. e. II. HoUem.

''ro haye and to hold, for better or for
worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and
health, till death us do part"
The solemn words fell softly upon the
evening air, and the two who heard and
echoed them-a handsome man of eight
and twenty, and girl of nineteen, with
face of rare lovliness-pressed each others
hand more closely, while their appraised
eyes sought and met each others with
gaze full of wistful, tender import, not un-
mixed with anxious solicitude.
The brief rite was ended, and the new
made husband led his bride TO the door of
the little church, just as boy came hur-
riedly up from without
please, SIR" he said ieprcciatingly,
''lhis come for you just after you went out
for your walk, and little girl told me she
had seen you comm down this way. so |
came right along
And he thrust an envelope into the gem
tleman's hand.
With his cheek paling and his hands
trembling ylsibly, Gilbert Vest broke the
inclosure. A slip Of paper fell into his
hands, bearing the simple message:
"Come at once; your father is dying"
Drawing his bride more closely to him
with one hand, Gilbers held the telegram
before her with the other.
1--WE must be parted at the very altar for
a brief while, darling" he said, with strong
emotion. But, thank heaven, leave you
united to me in that bond of love and faith
that nothing shall sever, till death do us
part
Into the BRIDES pearl-pale face crept a
sudden flush, then it died as quickly and
leaning her head on his shoulder, she burst
into tears.
''Be brave, darling, precious wife" !"
soothed Gilbert. 81 will be gone but few
days. If can see my father alone, With
out the presence OF those who believe are
ratful schemers, believe, in the softened
slate that must precede such solemn hour,
can win both his consent and blessing
upon our union. But if not, no power on
earth can break the sacred pledge that
holds us. | have enough in my own right
TO support us ir modest comfort, and my
effort shall procure the rest if need he.
am so thankful that this step is irreyocably
taken, beyond all power of chance or sub
tlety to delay or prevent it-are you not,
darling?"
81 cannot but be thankful for anything
that gives you to me-" sobbed his bride
"But oh, Gilbert, there is such deadly feal
at my heart. 1t seems as if this separation
were destined to be final-as If some fatal
ity were to part us forever"
"Nothlng can--nothing shall, but th,
great change that no human power car
avert" replied Gilbert, solemnly. "Tel
me, darling, before leave you; have you
the slightest doubt of my love or fealtyi
Have yoG the least fear that any earthl!
consideration could cause me to forget, re
nounce, or seek TO undo the VOWS hay'
so gladly and ioyously taken?"
She raised her head, this bride of les
than an hour, and gazed INTO her husband
face as If she would indeed probe his YER
soul. His deep brown eyes, beautiful il
their expression of loyal devotion and trutl
met hers with fond, unwavering gaze
the gaze that fed and sustained her hop
and trust in the dark after-time, and lettin
her head sink once more she faltered:
"None-none, thank Godl | see moth
ing there but love, honor, fidelity; Low
and feal,y that can only be equaled by m
own"
Arm-in-arm they walked back to tn
little country hotel where they had take
temporary accommodations, then holdin
her once more in his arms, and pressin
what was at once his bridal and farewe
kiss upon her lips, Gilbert West was gon'
And while he was striding hastily ava
in the direction of the depot, and his brid
! was sobbing out the pain and lonelines
and sckenlng fear that overwhelmed he
two people-a man and woman-the w
man of a dark, rich beauty, the man singl
larly like Gilbert himself, save for a sin
ter dr0op of his lips, and a cruel light
his eyes, were holding whispered consu
talion in room adjoining that in whic
!. Gilbert's dying father lay.
81 care nothing for the fortune," u
girl broke out passionately. "Half Of il
mine in any event; but | would rath
throw il into the sea than possess IL ni
shared by him. And yet this long absen'
so much longer than usual-iills me vii
the most dreadful fears. What If he HI
= already married her9''
"Though he had married her a thousar
times, II would make no difference - brol