The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-03-25
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
A BRIDAL STORY.


on her pure brow; her breath came
quicker, her heart beat wilder From
her childhood she had been most SOL
EMMY opposed to the use of all wines
and liquors Yes, Marion lay aside
your scruples for this once" said the
judge, in low tone, going toward his
daughter: 1.-THE company expect it, do
not so seriously infringe upon the rules
of etiquette; in your own house act as
you please, but in mine, for this once,
please me-
Every eye was turned toward the
bridal pair Marion's principles were
we'll known Harry had been con.
vivialist but of late his friends noticed
the change in his manners, the differ
ence in his habits, and tonight they
watched him to see, as they sneeringly
said, If he was tied down to the wom-
ans opinion so soon. Pouring a brim-
ming beaker, they held it with tempt
ing smiles toward Marion. She was
very pale, though more composed. and
her hand shook not as smiling back she
gratefully accepted the crystal tempter
and raised it to her lips. But scarcely
had she done so when every hand was
arrested by her piercing exclamation
of ''Oh, how terribler' what is it?"
cried one and all thronging together,
for she had slowly carried the glass at
arms length, and was .fixedly regard
ing it as though it were some hideous
object.
wait" she answered. while an in
spired light shone from her dark eyes,
wait, and will tell you. see. she
added, slowly pointing one jeweled
finger at the sparkling ruby liquid, "a
sight that beggars all description; and
jet listen; will paint it for you if [
can. 1t is lonely spot; tall mountains,
crowned With verdure, rise in awful
sublimity around; river runs through,
and bright flowers grow to the waters
edge. There is a thick, warm mist
that the sun seeks vainly to pierce;
trees, lofty and beautiful, wave to the
airy motion of the birds; but there, a
group of Indians gather: they fit to
and fro with something like sorrow
upon their dark brows, and in their
midst lies manly form. but his cheek,
how deathly; his eye wild with the fit-
full fire of fever. One friend stands be-
side him, nay, should say kneels, for
he is pillowing that poor head upon
his breast Genius in ruins. Oh! the
high, holy-looking brow! Why should
death mark it and he SO young? Look
how he throws the damp curls! See
him clasp his hands! Hear his thrill
ing shrieks for lifel Mark how he
clutches at the form of his companion,
imploring to be saved. Oh. hear him
call piteously his fathers name; see
him Irvine his fingers together as he
shricks for his sister-his only sister,
the twin of his soul-weeping for him
in his native land. See," she ex-
claimed, while the bridal party shrank
back, the untasted wine trembling in
their faltering grasp. and the judge
fell, overpowcrcd, upon his seat, ''see!
his arms are lifted up to Heaven, he
prays, how wildly, for mercy! hot
fever rushes through his veins The
friend beside him is weeping: awe
stricken, the dark men move silently
ana leave the living and dying
together" There was hush in that
princely parlor, broken only by what
seemed smothered sob. from some
manly bosom. The bride stood vet up
rightwith quivering lip, and tears steal
ing to the outward edge of her lashes
Her beautiful arm had lost its ten
sion, and the glass with its little
troubled red waves, came slowly to-
ward the range of her vision. She
spoke again; every lip was mute. Her
voice was low, faint yet awfully dis
tinct She still fxei her sorrowful
glance upon the wine-cup ut is even
ing now: the great white moon is COM
ing up and her beams lay gently on his
forehead. he moves not: his eyes are
set in their sockets; dim are their
piercing giances; in vain his friend
whispers the name of father and sister
death is there. DEATH and no soft
hand, no gentle voice to bless and
soothe him His head sinks back, one
convuisive shudder-he is dead,'
A groan ran through the assembly;
50 vivid was her description. so un-
earthly her look, so inspired her man
ner, that what she described seemed
actually TO have taken place then and
there. They noticed also that the
bridegroom hid his face in his hands
and was weeping "Dead?" she repeat
ed again. her lips quivering faster and
faster, and her voice more and more
broken, land there they scoop him a
grave; and there, without shroud,
they lay him down in the damp reek-
ing earth The only son of a proud
father, the only idolized brother of a
fond sister. and hesleeps to-day in that
distant country with no stone to mark
the spot There he lies-my fathers
sonny own twin brother. a victim to
this deadly poison. Father" she ex-
claimed, turning suddenly, while the
tears ralned down her beautiful cheeks.
father, shall drink it now?" The
form of the old judge was convulsed
with agony. He raised his head. but 10
asmothered voice he faltered: No, no,
NV child. in Gods name, no."
She lifted the glittering goblet, and
letting it suddenly fall to the floor it
was dashed into a thousand pieces
Many n fearful eye watched her move
ments, and simultaneously every wine
glass was transferred to the marble
table on which it had been prepared.
Then as she looked at the fragments of
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