her description, so
unearthly her look, so inspired her manner, 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 repeated again, her lips quivering faster and faster, and
her voice more and more broken; "and there they scoop him a grave; and
there without a shroud, they lay him down in the damp reeking earth.
The only son of a proud father, the only idolized brother of a fond
sister. And he sleeps to-day in that distant country, with no stone to
mark the spot. There he lies--my father's son--my own twin brother!
a victim to this deadly poison. Father," she exclaimed, turning
suddenly, while the tears rained down her beautiful cheeks, "father,
shall I drink it now?"

The form of the old Judge was convulsed with agony. He raised his
head, but in a smothered voice he faltered--"No, no, my child, in
God's name, no."

She lifted the glittering goblet, and letting it suddenly fall to the
floor it was dashed into a thousand pieces. Many a tearful eye watched
her movements, and instantaneously every wine-glass was transferred to
the marble table on which it had been prepared. Then, as she looked at
the fragments of crystal, she turned to the company, saying:--"Let no
friend, hereafter, who loves me, tempt me to peril my soul for wine.
Not firmer the everlasting hills than my resolve, God helping me,
never to touch or taste that terrible poison. And he to whom I have
given my hand; who watched over my brother's dying form in that last
solemn hour, and buried the dear wanderer there by the river in that
land of gold, will, I trust, sustain me in that resolve. Will you not,
my husband?"

His glistening eyes, his sad, sweet smile was her answer.

The Judge left the room, and when an hour later he returned, and with
a more subdued manner took part in the entertainment of the bridal
guests, no one could fail to read that he, too, had determined to dash
the enemy at once and forever from his princely rooms.

Those who were present at that wedding, can never forget the
impression so solemnly made. Many from that hour forswore the social
glass.

[Illustration]

W. NICHOLSON AND SONS, PRINTERS, WAKEFIELD.

RECITERS AND PENNY READINGS.

THE BEAUTIFUL RECITER;

Or a Collection of Entertaining, Pathetic, Witty, and Humorous Pieces,
and Dialogues, with a Selection of Martial, and Oratorical Pieces