New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-01-18

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breathe it!'' he replied, recovering
himself q little.
"Royal," ! continued, trying to
change the current of his thoughts,
'do you know the lateness of the
hour2 Remember, Helene expects
you, and if you do not want to disap.
point her be prompt. This affair
need never be known
Eyes, I'll be prompt-prompt in
going to my SACRIFICED he exclaimed
excitedly, and, rising up, he began to
dress.
1t was now within a few minutes of
three, and the coach was at the door
IN waiting. But we rendered all posi-
BILE assistance, and soon Royal was
quite ready.
When we had taken our seats in the
carriage. for both of US We're resolved
to accompany him. Royal took my
hand. His was cold and moist, and
shook perceptibly in the clasp. He
looked into my face and observed
the extreme pallor Of his own. I also
noticed the wild glance that darted
from his eyes and their preternatural
brilliancy.
"What can it mean?" I said, men
tally, sis Helere's betrothed on the
verge OF Insanity"
The thought alarmed me-. [ began
to wonder if his strange manner
might be considered as an incipient
phase OF that malady, when Royal
spoke.
The voice was low, hollow, sepul-
chral, land set me to shivering.
''Ned, said he, Il could do wish
[ had passed away peacefully weeks
ago-sweetly, as they die who are fill
ed with the joys OF perfect peace?
Kindly hands might then strew fra
grant flowers over my bier, and loving
hearts be not dismayed! But now,
what?-Oh! that I had never lived to
see this hour! A great calamity, the
magnitude OF which surpasses even
my comprehension. has set it's seal
upon me! My doom is fixed! I can
not escape it-no there is no possible
way-'and here the poor man bow
ed his head in reflection, but only for an
instant, when he again raised his lumi-
nous eyes, and continued:
'Promise to stand between me
and a. defamatory world! If I am
censured, and | must surely be, tell
them [ was not so cowardly as they
thought. Tell them there is no re.
proof in the grave-to remember that.
And Helene, sweet angel, comfort her
for my sake-will you-promise?"
Already the carriage had drawn up
at the church, leaving me no oppor-
tunity to ask q single question, de.
mand an explanation, or find out
what was meant by the language I
had heard. I could only bow my
head in token Of compliance, when
the driver, who had dismounted from
the box, opened the door, and we were
greeted by the bridal party in the YES
tlbule of the sacred edifice.
Helene, in her snowy robes, with a
wreath of orange blosso ms in her
thick tresses of hair, formed the CEN
ter OF the group, a picture OF ethereal
loneliness.
In a maze OF doubt ard agony, and
nearly speechless with horror, I took
my appointed place in the procession
up the main aisle.
The organ was pealing forth the
sweet, enhancing strains Of wedding
march, but | scarcely heard it, I, was
so tortured with the fear of I knew
not what. The vision of a. suicide
flashed before my eyes and seemed to
lead the way up to the very altar. I
wondered it Helene felt the weight of
gloom that pressed upon my heart. I
wondered if she was happy in that su-
preme moment Of her life.
The ceremony was short but impress
lively solemn.
When it was over I looked at the
newly made wife.
She was watching Royal intently,
and her face wore a strange express
sioD.in which alarm seemed to mingle.
Had she, too, dicovered something
wrong? II must be so, I thought.
In half an hour the welded pair
were holding a. reception in Helene's
fathers house. I made one of the
company, for l was determined to
keep an eye on the bridegroom. A
sense of duty impelled me to observe
his every movement. ...s
While receiving the congratulations
OF MS numerous friends loyal never
once smiled. His countenance was
grave even to sadness, and he seemed
uncomfortably absent-minded, as ii
his thoughts were far away. Yet he
bore the ordeal better than Iexpected
he would, and as looked upon the
handsome couple whose destinies were
united for good or for evil, I pictured
to myself the brightness of the future
that awaited them. ....... ..-
I might we'll have pictured a differ
ent scene, in which grim and CHASTITY
object was blended.
With the intention OF requesting a.
private interview walked down the
long room to where the couple had
stood beneath q canopy of leaves and
flowers. Helene was there, conversing
with some ladies, but Royal was alb
sent from his place.
where is he?' / inquired excitedly.
"Helene glanced toward the nearest
door, silently intimating that he had
left the parlor.
Twas all anxiety then. l rushed
out into the hall wildly, feeling
strange dread OF impending evil. All