San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-07-18
if L had been bought that morning.

flung more Wluely Open-tneu GAME
the gentle rustic Of trailing robes, and
turning, l beheld my wife. She APP
preached, leaning lightly on the arm of
the old Chevalier Mancini, who, true to
his creeds Of gallantry, had accepted
the post of paternal protector to the
bride on this occasion; and l could not
well wonder at the universal admiration
that broke in suppressed murmurs from
all assembled, as this most fair master
piece of the DEVILS creation paced slowly
and gracefully up the isle She wore
a dress of clinging white vel
vet made with the greatest SIM
plicity, a lace veil, priceless in value and
fine as gossamer, draped her from head
to foot-the Jewels l had given her
flashed about her like little scintillating
points of light, in her hair. at her waist,
on her breast and uncovered arms.
Being, as she deemed herself, a wild
ow, she had no bridesmaids; her train
was held up by a handsome boy clad in
the purple and gold costume of the six
teenth century page-he was the
Youngest son of the Duke di Marina.
Two tiny girls of five and six years OF
age went before her, strewing white
roses and lilies, and stepping dainty
backward as though in attendance on
queen; they looked like two fairies who
had slipped out of midnight dream, in
their little loose gowns of gold-colored
plush, with wreaths of meadow datfodils
on their tumbled curly hair. They had
been well-trained by Nina herself,
for on arrival at the altar
they stood demurely, one on each side OF
ha ~ npnnnNiD0 his Dlapp
behind, and still holding up the end Of
the velvet train with a charming air OF
hauteur and self-complacency.
The whole cortege was picture in its
way, as Nina had meant it to be- she
was fond of artistic effects. She smiled
languishingly upon me as she reached
the altar, and sank on her knees beside
me in prayer. The music swelled forth
with redoubed grandeur, the priests and
acolytes appeared, the marriage service
commenced. AS | placed the ring
on the book | glanced furtively at the
bride her fair head was bent demurely,
she seemed absorbed in holy 'medita-
tiOns. The priest having performed the
ceremony of sprinkling it with holy
water, took it back. aud set it for the
second time on my wife's soft white little
hand-set it in accordance with the
Catholic ritual, first on the thumb, then
on the second finger, then on the chird,
and lastly on the fourth, where left it
in its old place, wondering as | did so,
and murmured. "In Nomnc PATHS ct
Fill ct Spiritus Sancti, Amen" whether
she recognized it as the one she had
worn so long! But it was evident she
did nhrnlynn b,
even so much as a start or tremor; she
had the self-poSsessiOn of a perfectly
satisfied, beautiful, vain, and utterly
heartless woman.
The actual ceremony of marriage was
soon over; then followed the Mass, in
which we, the newlywedded pair, were
compelled, in submission to the rule of
the Church, to receive the Sacrament.
| Shuddered as the venerable priest gave
me the Sacred Host. What had to do
with the inward purity and peace this
mementO of Christ is supposed to leave
| in our souls? Methought the Crucifed
| Image in the chapel regarded me afresh
| with those panied eyes, and said. Even
| 50 dOst thou seal thine own damna.
| tom" Yet she, the true murderess. the
! arch liar, received the Sacrament with
| the face of rapt angel-the very priest
| himself seemed touched by those up.
| raised, candid. glorious eyes, the sweet
! lips so reverGntly parted, the absolute,
| reliable peace that rested on that white
! brow, like an aureOle round the head OF
a saint!
"If | am damned then is she thrice
| damnedr' | said TO myself recklessly.
81 dare say hell is wide enough for us
to live apart when we get there"
Thus / cOnsoled my conscience, and
turned resOlutely away from the painted
appealing faces on the wall-the faces
that in their various expressions Of sor.
row, resignation, pain and death seemed
now to De all pervaded by another look,
that OF astOnishment-astonishment,s SC
fancied, that such man as
l, and such woman as she,
could be found in the width OF
the wide world, and should
be permitted to kneel at Gods altar
without being struck dead for their
blasphemy!
All, good Saints, well may you be as
tonished Had you lived in our day you
must have endured worse martyrdom:
than the boiling oil or the wTenchinq
rack What you suffered was the mere
physical pain of torn muscles and scorch
ing flesh, pain that at its worst coulC
not last long; but your souls were
clothed with majesty and power, anC
were glorious in the light OF love, faith
hope, and charity with all men. w,
have reversed the position you occupied
W" have partly learned; and are still
learning, how to take care of our dearl!
beloved bodies how to nourish anC
clothe Thorn and guard them from cold
and disease, but our souls, good Saints