The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1899-03-29
PLEDGE With Wine.

"Pledge with wine-pledge with
wine !" cried the young and thoughtless
Harry Wood. "Pl9dge with wine," ran
through the brilliant crowd.
The beautiful bride grew pale-the de-
cisive hour had come. She pressed her
white hands together and the leaves Of
her bridal wreath trembled on her pure
brow; her breath came quicker; her
heart beat wilder. From her childhood
she had been most solemnly opposed to
the use of winss and liquors.
"Yes, Marion, lay aside your scruples
for this once" said the Judge in low
tone, going toward bis daughter. "The
company expect it; 90 not so seriously
infringe upon the rules of etiquette. In
your own home act as you please, but in
mine for this once please me-"
Every eye was turned toward the brid-
al pair. Marion's principles we're well
known. Henry had been a conYiyalist
but of late his friends noticed the change
in his manners, the difference in his
habits and tonight they watched him to
see, as they sneeringly said, II be was
tied down to a woman's opinion 80 soon.
Genius in ruins Oh, the high, holy
looking brow! Why should death mark
it, and he 30 young2 Look how he
throws the damp curls See him clasp
his hands Hear his thrilling shricks
for life Mark how he clutches at the
form of his companion, implOring to be
saved o hear him call piteously his
fathers name See him Irvine his fingers
together as he shrieks for his sister-his
only sister-the twin of his soul-weep.
ing for him IN his distant native land.
'See !" she exclaimed as the bridal
party shrank back, the untasted wine
trembling in their faltering Erasps, and
the judge fell overpowered, upon his
seat, ''See his. arms are lifted to heav'
en- he prays, how wildly, for mercy
hot fever rushes through his veins the
friend beside him is weaping, awe-strick'
en- the dark men move silently and
leave the living and the dying together
There was a hush in that princely par
lor, broken only by what seemed &
smothered sob from some manly bosom
The bride stood vet upright, with culver
ing lip and tears stealing 10 the outward
edge of her lashes, Her beautiful arm
had lost its tension, and the glass, with
its little troubled red waves, came slowly
toward the range of her vision. She
spoke again every lip was mute. He
voice was low. faint, yet aWfully distinct
she still 6xed her sorroWiul glance up
on the wine cup.
Pouring a trimming beaker, they helC
1t with trembling smiles toward Marion
She was very pale, though composed
and her hand shook not a., smiling back
she gratefully accepted the crystal tempt
or and raised Il TO her lips. But scarce
lY had she done so when every hand wa
arrested by her piercing exclamation o
"Oh, how terrible + "What IL 2" crie'
one and all, thronging together, for sh
had slowly carried the glass at arm
length, and was hxedly regarding II a
though 1t we're some hideous object.
"Wait," she answered, while an in
spIred light shone from her dark eye
swat, and will tell you. l see" sh
a ided, slowly pointing one jeweled in
ger at the sparkling ruby liquid, "a Sigh
that beggAS all description and yet, III
ten--I will paint Il Tor you II can.
il lonely spot tall mountains, crOwns
with verdure, rise In awful sublimlt
around, a river runs through, and brsh
flowers grow 70 the waters edge, Their
O. thick, warm mist that The sun apel