The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-03-10
FOR A FLOWER.


and proud Breton family
The ceremony was over and the
church doors were flung open, display
ing the high altar decorated with
flowers and lights and in the gar
landed doorway appeared the young
pair while the bells pealed joyously.
All nature seemed to be in festal at
tire, for the sweet odors of spring
filled tho air, the wild birds were sing
ing merrily and sunbeams fell like a
halo across the foreheads of the bride
and groom. She was fair and grace
full. and in her white veil seemed like
an angel strayed from heaven; the
bridegroom. noble and gallant looked
with love unutterable at the fair girl
who leaned upon his arm.
The country people were dressed in
their Sunday Clothes the men wearing
rosettes in their buttonholes. the wom-
en- with lilies Of the valley in their
bodices. and all waved Towering haw-
thorn branches and made the air ring
with exclamation.
Long live Mile. Yolande! Long
live the bride! God bless our sweet
young lady!' they cried. and from time
to time they added, Long live the
marquis"
The church Of Clairville overlooked
the village, being built on a rocky
emlnence, and was approached by
steep winding path and stairway; rich
and poor noble and simple, dead and
living, all must enter the church by
way of paradise Road. The we'd
ding party glittering in gold and silk
and velvet and followed by the cheer
ing crowd walked down this rustic
pathway to where the carriages were
waiting, and the bridegroom, pleased
by the enthusiasm OF the people and
their evident affection for his bride,
said to her, tenderly:
You see, my love, how dear you
are to these people. They will never
forget you. | fear they owe me a
grudge for stealing their good angel
from them"
The bride smiled and raised her
sweet eyes to his face for a moment
and then she turned to her father.
saying:
1t is such beautiful day, papa;
may we not walk home?"
''Certainly. dear if you wish it,"
he replied, glad of an opportunity of
pleasing his child. from whom he must
soon part and accordingly the bridal
pair and all. the young persons Of the
party walked through the village to
the chateau of Clalreville which was
situated at the other end, while the
dowagers and other persons followed
in their carriages.
1olande. leaning on her husbands
arm. stopped repeatedly at the humble
cottages where the poor old men and
women, whom age or infrnity rem
dered unable to 90 out. were waiting
in their doorways to see the bride pass.
For each one she ha6 word and a.
smile and many a trembling hand and
a weak. thin voice was raised to bless
her
The joyous procession now reached
turn IN the narrow road and came to
a standstill being met by funeral
party 1t was very poor affair; there
was no coronet emblazoned on the
White pail which covered the face of
a young maiden and not flower was
seen there. not single blossom in
spite OF the warm springtime. Behind
the Bier q poorly clad man. the only
mourner. walked slowly looking, with
MS head bont and his face covered by
his hands. q picture of despairing
grle At sight OF the CIaireville
wedding party the men carrying the
bier stopped and would have turned
out OF the road, but the mourner raised
his head and gazed fercely at the
happy throng who with their rich
gala clothing and smiling faces seemed
to offer insult to his SORROW.
Go on!' he said in hoarse voice
to the porters. as if he would have
liked TO crush the fine lords and
ladies beneath his feet; but the men
did not stir Then the count stepped
forward. saying gravely:
Respect the dead. friends! Fall
back and let the bier pass"
He was instantly obeyed and the
funeral moved on past the gorgeously
attlred throng. who made way reyer
emily. the ladies crossing themselves
and the lords removing their hats.
AS the bier passed the bride she was
filled with pity at sight of the young,
still form under the white pail. and
taking sprig Of orange blossom out
of her bouquet she laid, it gently
upon the bier The stern mourner
saw the act and his expression soft.
ened little; then covering his face
again he broke into low sobs.
Who is that man9" asked Count
Clairville. =.
Il do not know my lcrd," replied
the man addressed. He is a
stranger. He came TO the inn few
days ago with his sister, She was al
most dead. as any one could see He
seemed to love her very much and
when she died he cursed like a hereto
and shook his fist at heaven. This
morning | told him it was too early to
have the funeral and that he ought to
give the cure time to change his stole
after the wedding. but he would not
listen to NO.
The bridal party moved on and
soon the merry peals OF the church
! hcl1 oh