The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-08-15

Of misery did the sunbcams play, as
they broke through tho curtainlcss
windows Of his chamber, and how he
strained his eyes to look k-on the first
approach of light--tor blood on his
hands, there was none observable, but
he thought he saw some on his arm, and
almost wild with despair he dashed him.
self on the bed and burst into flood of
tears.
Poor old Mrs. Grosset heard the
noise, and allowing it to subsilc Il little,
cautiously approached his door, then
opened it gently, and called "Mr.
Bruce a little louder than a whisper;
Bruce groancd but spoke not, she called
again in a louder tone; Bruce exclaimed
in pitiablc and hcart-brokcn accents,
'Oh, Mrs. Grossct! Mrs. Grossct. what
ON earth is the meaning Of all ths?'
'Hush, Mr.. Bruce! hush for mercy
sake! do not speak so loud; people might
hear you; and l have como with good
news to you there will be chance for
you to get away tonight after dark:
keep quiet till then and all may yet be
well;--.just be quict--and in the mean
time | will bring you some new milk,
and some bread, it will keep the life in
you for awhile. But--Oh dear! oh
dear! what will your poor father says
the old lady closed the door with her
speech, shutting in the question Bruce
was about to utter with a groan, and
walked away for the milk and bread.
The old lady dcplorcd the course she
was taking: but desperate cases require
desperate remedies, and rs she carried
the uncomfortable breakfast to the
young man, she could not hell weeping;
and when she reached his bedside, ncr
tears flowed in torrents: and Bruce
looked on her with repentance and deep
contrition written in every feature.
But his heart was too full to speak, for
the grief of the Old Lady restrained
his question, and out Of respect to her
grief, which was doubtless caused bv
him, he looked on her as she raised the
corner Of her apron to her eyes, and
slowly walked out Of the room, shutting
him in again q lonely prisoner, for the
space Of another entire day.
When evening arrived, poor Bruce
was wasted in mind and body, and
seemed more like the wreck Of u pro-
tracted illness, than the young gallant
over spree.
No sooner was it dark, than Phillip
and his wife, hurriclly, vet softly, en-.
tered his room, and commanded him to
dress Immediately; at the same time
producing suit Of Phillips clothes.
AS he hastily drew them on his naked
body, his hcavincss of heart was appar-
ent i'll every movement, and when he
had finished, he looked up with tears in
his eyes, then tallinc on his knees, he
cried i'll pitcous and imploring tone, +,
Dear trccnds, and frccnds Of my faith.
er, impore you for his sake and for
mine, to relieve my anxious mind, tell
me, for Gods sake, what / have douc;
tell me, or my heart will brcak.' The
old man turned away to hide his tears,
then looking at his wife he said ,--'Ah
Mary! Mary! the price is too dear; poor
fellow! it might cost him his reason
but Mary was incxorahlc; and she said
sternly ycticcingly,' tell Mr.. Bruce, for
you: own sake | will net tell, you, nor
Twill allow any one else to but, to relieve
your mind, l will promise to tell you
on certain conditions.'
name them! name thcm..' he cried.
"Well then she said, 'if you do not
learn too soon, to your for sorrow--this
night twelve months in this very house
you must come hcrc---I will tell YOU the
whole appalling circumstances that have
worked this awful change on our house;
will tell You, | say, on the condition,
that during that time you will not drink
one drop of intoxicating liquor.'
Bruce groancd, and trc,nbingly cx-
claimed, NO! no! tell me now; for
Gods sake, me now..'
1t cannot be- answered the old lady.
and hurried hrn from the house, and
Bruce was soon lost in the darkness Of
the night, and with sorrow in his heart,
he fastened across the country, to the
distant parish in which his father dwclt;
taking bye-roads, and mountains, and
moor-iand tracks, to avoid the Gaze Of
his brother men.
One year passed away;-.-a long and
drcary year it had been to Bruce: :.-hc
or 81 r