Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-07-17
CHAPTER I.

the month of October 1853 the country
folk who liveo within ear-shot of the
bells of the little village of Vernon, were
amazed at the sudden changing that abb
ruptly burst forth from the ivy-velled
tower of the old church and sent its
reverberating echoes far over rice-held,
plantation and grove. All the greater
was the amazement of those who bark
ened to the merry peals, since only the
day before those self-same brazen threats
had raised their voices in a dolcful knell
for a departed soul.
Nevertheless, in spite of the stormy
wind that ragged and the ftful gust of
rain that beat upon their faces, women
caught up their shawls and men their
hats, and ran with their children into
the village to find the place all agog, and
every step Fastening towards the church.
The sunset hour was at hand, and all
along the lower horizon, fiery CLEANS,
blood-red shone through the riffs in the
driving clouds. There was mute inquiry
upon every face, while mystery brooded
over all.
The twinkling candles upon the altar,
together with the eloquent perfume of
massed roses and jasmines, lying in great
heaps within the chancel, attracted more
than half the multitude within the sa-
cred edfice; those who remained without
looked UP and down the road, and asked
each other what joyous event was about
TO take place in such uncanny weather
At last the bells abruptly ceased, the
deep tones of the organ began to surge
and swell upon the Dated silence, the
clock struck six. simultaneously the
rapid beat of horses noofs and the roll
of carriage wheels smOte the air, and
from the direction of tie magnola-crest-
ed heights, barouche was deserted
swiftly approaching the church. A cry
was raised among the bystanders as the
Rosemont livery was recognized, and
heads were craned to catch the first
glimpse Of the occupants while a shud-
der of horror passed through every heart,
as it was recalled that only the day be-
fore the same equipage had stood before
the church to bear away to her lonely
home the only and beautiful daughter of
the lamentcd Colonel Couramont.
The respected gentleman had met an
untimely death by accident while hunt
Ing, and the scent of the flowers that
clustered about his bier had scarcely
evaporated from the dim aisles of the
old church ere these fresh blossoms were
brought in to form a festal decoration.
buL lne carriage was CLOSED against
the stress of weather and no glimpse of
those within was afforded until it drew
up beneath the porch, and the aged sex
ton stepped forward to open the door;
whcreupon. to the speeches. ainazement
of the beholders, there alighted a hand
some stately young gentleman in full
evening dress. who in turn assisted q
lady swathed in mourning to alight. At
sight of her. every hat was removed, for
one and all recognized at Il glance the
beautiful Sylphide COuramont, sole heir
ess and mistress of Rosemont.
She was attired in trailing costume
of black tule relieved by an enormous
bouquet de corsage of snowy jaSmines
that We'd with the CHASTITY pallor that
overspread her faultlcss neck and ex
quisite face; while in her jet-black hair
clustered more of the spectral flowers
shaded by Il veil of inky gauze. Had it
not been for the flashing eyes and the
triumphant curve of the naughty lip, one
would have said that these were the trap
pings of the grave she wore-and she,
the wrath of her former self
The man nj her side was flushed and
nervous. Though n stranger at Vernon
they all recognized him as the guest
Srom New York. who had been passing
Il
the companion Of Colonel Couramont
when he met his fate. They remem-
bered that it was he who had ridden
over the country day after day with
Sylphide, and had been the one to sup
port her when she tainted beside her
fathers coffin in the church: hut not one
of those honest hearts so much rs dream
ed that he was so soon to become the hus-
band of the mistress of Rosemont, nor
would they have believed had they been
told. how this extraordinary alliance had
been brought about.
The wedding ceremony began and con-
Iinued until the solemn words We're pro-
bounced. IF any one present sees just
cause why this man and woman should
rot be joined together i'll holy wedock,
bet him stand forth and speak. or for
ever afterward hold his peace"
Thereupon ensued breathless pause
A nervous shiyer passed over the bride
and with a hunted look in her great,
dilated eyes. she turned and stared at
4he assembly. No one rose; no one
breathed. although outside the church it
was evident that 4 struggle of some sort
was taking place, fer voices were raised
one in particular-and through the
open doors the swaying to and fro of the
dense mass of humanity was visible.
Sylphidc Couramont almost staggered,
yet clung to her lovers arm with des-
perate attempt to be mistress over her,
self Fixing her burning eyes upon the
priest. she murmured;
mo, no, There is no one to speak.
am i'll. Proceed
And then the deep toned benediction
brought this weird ceremony to a close.
The look of ineffable JOY and triumph
that illumined the fair brides face as the
last Amen was uttered, battles descrip-
4ion. She turned to her handsome young
husband and whispered;
II am yours, am not, Lncian, yours
Sorever?'
"Forever. my dariins,H he answered
In some surprise.