The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-02-19

id to a fault, and had an abiding dread ofthe
Tories for weeks after she heard ofany of their
cruelties; but her terors would gradually wear
away, and she would become the gay and
thoug ghtless girl of former days.
On the night above mentioned, the mother
and daughters were seated around blazing
fire, engaged in some domestic avocation, and
listening to the seet as ratified against the win
dow pancs, driven violently by the wind, that
roarcd and whistled around, vainly seeking an
access to that room of cheerfulness and comfort
"What dreadful nightw said Mrs Mansly,
as the house was shaken by violent gust.
"The poor soldier" said Frances, and her
thoughts dwclt on one-she knew not where.
Again there was silence, and musing melan-
choly seemed to have fallen on all. Even the
playful Emily was thoughtful. Presently a
knocking was heard at the door, and mother and
daughters started up in alarm. Emily clung to
her mothers arm, terrified, and family gasping,
the Tories the Tories!"
Frances hastily approached the door and de-
manded who was there.
"Do you not recognize my voice ?" inquired
the person outside.
With all the nimbleness that love could in
spire, bolts and bars were withdrawn, and the
next moment Frances Mansley was clasped in
the arms of Edwin Gerrold
"Ah! Edwin, how you frightened me. |
thought the Tories certainly had me this tme,"
said Emma.
"Welcome, Edwin" said the widow, ap-
preaching and extending her hand.
"God bless You ALI" exclaimed the free and
nollc-hearted soldier, releasing Frances, and
extending one hand to the widow and the other
to Emily. ....
Edwin" said Emily, 81 intend to punish
you for frightening me so,' and as she spoke she
gave him hearty kiss.
eff that is to .be the punishment for all similar
offences, fshall frighten you as often as posi-
be,' said Edwin.
The young man was soon dvestedof his great
coat sword and pistols, and placed in seat be-
fore the blazing fire, and warm supper prepar
ed for him.
"Tell us where you have been, and whatyon
have been doing, since you left u.s. Edwin" said
the widow, as he sat before the fire chatting his
hands.
al have been down below with General Ma.
,ion," said he, "giving the British and Tories
some trouble, and putting many Of them out of
terday found myself within sixty miles of Fair.
dale, and did not try to resist the temptation of
paying you all visit"
"And right glad am | to see you! said the
widow Frances bluscd aud Emily laughed.
Edwin Gerrold was the betrothcd of Frances
Mansly, and they were only awaiting the termi-
nation Of the war to unite their destinics, "for
better, for worse" Edwin WAS about twenty
four years ofage, of a noble mcn and manly fig
ure. He was not above medium height, but
compact, and few surpassed him i'll physical
strength. His active life had developed every
muscle, and his strong sinews were almost in
capable of fatigue. He had been left an orphan
when boy but twelve years old, but had re-
ceived good education and when not absent
at school, had made the house OF Mr.. Mansly,
who was lis guardian, his home. His face was
now considerably tanned by exposure, and had
a hardy appearance that wouldprobably be con-
sidercd every vulgar" by a fashionable belle of
the present day; but his heart was one OF the
noblcst that ever beat in the bosom of man,
Warm and generous as his native cline, he was
ever ready to relieve the need and snccor the
oppressed, While his wrath was terrible towards
the oppressor He had entered the army us
private, and his gallant bearing soon raised him
to the rank of Colonel.
It would have been a very difficult matter for
Il stranger to decide which Of the two sisters,
Frances or Emily, was the more beautiful
Frances was considerably the taller, but the fig
urcs of both were perfectly symmetrical. In
fact, their features were very similar: the eyes
of Frances, however, were larger than her sis
trrs, and their gaze was more steady, more pierre
ins. Those of Emily were sparkling and mis-
chicvons, and, on a light acquaintance, she was
probably more bewitching than her sister; but
she ONLY fascinated the eye or bound the hcartn
a momcntary tllrall. Frances, on the contrary,
was not calculated to make sudden and romantic
captivations; but having once become Hcqualnt-
cd with herewith her staid and easy manner,
the depths of her mind, and the noblcncss of her
soul-thc heart once touched received al im-
preston not easily ehaccd. Gcrrold couldlaug!l
and romp with the playful Emily; but he had
early learned that she made IN lasting impress
sion on his mind-no iilagr forever before the
mental eve, and blended with all that was bright
and beautiful; while, on the contrary, he never
met with Frances but that he found the cords of
affection drawn tighter round his heart, binding
him more firmly to her. Emily charmed the
eye-Frances won the heart.
But to our story:
The night wore on, and the storm, though
Il, al