Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1894-08-09
A BRIDE OF A DAY,

N NY first Marriage, said jacques
AVy Feryeuse, was of but few hours
duration and did not break my betroth.
ell to her who afterward became my true
wife. 1t was nevertheless q legal we'd
ding, and without doubt the best action
of my life. haye pardoned myself tor
many faults on account Of the happiness
that gave to her who was my bride for
day.
At the time Of which l speak used
sometimes to dictate notes on a philcs.
optical work to an old copyist who
lived in the Rue de lEstrapade. He
was one of the best men in the world.
but had been brought to poverty by an
unusual series Of misfo1tunes which he
had a weakness for recounting to all
comers. l used to listen to him will
ingly, for his voice was charming and
his words we'll chosen. While he spoke
bis daughter. timid blonde, would sit
near us copying papers. / found her
alone two or three times and could not
help remarklng that she seemed greatly
agitated in my presence. AS she was
quite pretty and paw look Of infinite
tenderness IN her beautiful eyes when
they met mine. i felt some vague inclina.
ton towoard her, but quickly stiAed
it. Yet often spoke kindly to her that
she might see did not think her dis
pleasing. My gentle words impressed
a soul so profound that l would havi
shrunk back a6righted could haye
guessed its depths.
We had known each other for some
time when l was suddenly called away
from the city, and during my absence
fell i n loye and became betrothed. Ths
very morning Of my return to Paris some
one knocked at my door. and my pool
old copyist entered. His thin figure
vas yet more meager, his face pale, hi
temples hollow and his eyes red witt
weeping. Sir SAID be, Il trust yor
will excuse my coming thus. but yol
haYe always baen so good-my daught
er-she-1 fear she is about to die
'Indeedl' I responded, with NOR
politeness than emotion.
She is at the hospital, sir. I hav'
come to ask you-to say to you
He interrupted himself, stammering
incoherent, his eyes full Of treaty, ,ane
said abruptly, without further prelude
MY daughter loyes you Before hel
approaching death ! be]leye you nigh
be able
And without giving me time to re-
coyer from this strange declaration he
commenced story Of loye which, though
prolix, was SO strange and pathetic
that, when he ended. ny eyes were wet
with tears.
will you see her ? it would make
her 80 happy. She has but a few weeks
to live.
Three-quarters Of an hour later / was
at the young girls bedside Her lace
shone with that inefable beauty with
which coming death sometimes trans
figures the features of the young. As
seeing me her great dark eyes lighted
up with Joy that touched me to the
heart.
Almost at once she guessd that her
father had revealed her girlish seclet,
and she .commerced to tell me the sad
sweet stcry Of her love; the pathetic
romance Of poor little maiden resigned
to death--a tale of infinite tenderness !;
how first she had known she loved me,
then her fear that her loye was not re.
turned, then her illness and her wish to
die.
For an hour talked thus, her blonde
head lying upon the snow white pillow,
her beautiful eyes gazing into mine.
And you-did you ever-ever2'
What should say Should play
the .cauel e1ecutioner by telling the