, 1907-03-28
EssyM's Wedding
By Joseph Heating

Copyright, 1905. by Joseph b. BowleB)
At the wedding of Grafog and
Essyllt, held in the house of the
brides father-a company of merry
friends with their harp-player and
sweet singers were present.
Green woods and golden fields, en-
circled the house to keep n hole
which Essyllt's father would forfeit
his own life. The tribal element
grips these people. By inheritance
the house and its farm lands came
from his father to him, by inheri-
lance it should go down to his SON.
And for this son he sacrificed a
daughter!
A mere glance at the pale face of
the bride, seated at the head of the
table, would tell o that instead of
smiling in sympathy with the festivi-
ties. she felt the horror of beholding
a company feasting at the death of
her soul. Her gorgeous robes of red
and blue and green Knocked the sor-
row in her dark, frightened eyes. in
her hollow cheeks, and pain-drawn
mouth.
The boisterous bridegroom at her
side pretended not to note his new
made wifeis distress. But sometimes
the lush in his face gave way to sud
den %paleness.
A guest suggested:
"Essyllt will sing! She will give
us a merry song to-day"
The others %applauded and laughed
at the happy hit. Essyllt looked to be
on the verge of weeping.
Excuse her; excuse her!" quickly
requested old Rhys. she is too much
overcome to-day"
Grafog, her husband, turned with a
tender look in which citation and ear
mingled. and said:
Are o too happy to sing,
Essyllt?"
IL cannot! L"
Essyllt bowed her head and hid
her face in her hands.
Grafog looked at her a moment In
silence. Then turning upon the others
boisterously called for a song. The
elation in his look and manner, con.
veyed the Tea of victory, the sense
Of achievement by the defeat of an.
other. As he called loudly for a
song, a cruel line came into his face,
q CLEAN of hatred into his deep-set
gray eyes,; they rested on the a
OF a young man opposite, whose gaze
was riveted on Essyllt.
The pale, intense face and large,
sorrow-laden, brown eyes of this youth
reflected the agony of the bride. The
fash of triumph that lighted Grafog's
face revealed the secret. Here the
victor met the vanquished.
In his fierce elation Grafog, lacking
perhaps, the chivalrous sense, could
not resist the temptation to torture
this boy and girl between whom he
stood.
Come" said he. hoarsely, "Emlyn
Lloyd shall sing"
Clapping hands, moving chairs
about, and settling in new places. the
company kept up hilarious calls in or
der to ensure Emlyn's compliance. A
running fire of complimentary phrases
went round for the same purpose.
And Emlyn? AS Grafog and the
others persisted, he at last yielded. A
change came over him. Sadness deep
ened in the lines of his white face.
Into his eyes came a look of anger.
A sense of outrage crept into his ex-
preston. He stood up. The fierce
chords with which the harpist pre-.
iuded the song heralded an indignant
>utburst.
The singer moved forward till he
o in the midst of the gathering.
In a voice of liquid, golden beauty,
glorious at a mountain sunset, he
mi an old. old melody, The Love
Token" Upon a finger of his left
hand there cleaned a ring of gold.
which his right hand involuntarily
touched as he sang. With every
line the terror in Essyllt's eyes deep.
ened, and the triumphant elation of
her husband increased. Grafog looked
from the singer to his bride with a
smile of satisfaction.
h company first nodded approval.
The pathos and the sweetness of the
singer appealed to them more power
fully than v e. But presently they
began to exchange looks of wonder
at the intensity of his manner
The song told of a ring which a
maiden gave 10 a youth as a token OF
her true love; then told OF her for.
saking him at the bidding of ambi.
hon; of her union with one better
born than hei of the bitterness If the
youth, who broke in twain the ring
.aA thrarr thAaa fraur,nnt, n, -. 81.