The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-05-17

| proud OF his niece, because she was part OF
HIMSELF she added to his consequence, she con-
tributed to his enjoyments; she had grown ne
cessary; she was the one sunbeam of his house" !"
"Not the one sunbeam, surely, Grannyw p
one of us would exclaim; "you were sunbeam
| then"
81 was nothing where Amelie was-nothing
but her shadow! The bravest and best in the
country would have rejoiced to be to her what
| washer chosen friend; and some would
have periled their lives for one of the sweet
smiles which played around her uncle, but never
touched his heart. Monsieur never would suf
fer people to be happy except in his way. He
had never married; and he declared Amelie
never should. She had, he said, as much en-
ioyment rs he had she had castle with a
draw.bridge; she had forest for hunting; dogs
and horses; servants and serfs; jewels. gold,
and gorgeous dresses; n guitar and harpsi-
chord; parrot-and friend! And such All
uncle he believed there was not such another
uncle in broad Europe! For many long day
Ameiie laughed at this catalogue of advanta-
ges-that is, she laughed when her uncle left
the room; she never laughed before him. In
time, the laugh came not; but in its place, signs
and tears. Monsieur had great deal to an
swer for. Amelie was not prevented from see-
ing the gentry when they came to visit in !: for
NAL way, and she met many, hawking and
hunting; but she never was permitted to invite
any one to the castle, nor to accept an in.
vitation. Monsieur fancied that by shutting
her lips, he closed her heart; and boasted such
was the advantage of his good training, that
Amclies mind was fortified against all weak.
ncsses, for she had not the least dread Of wan
dcring about the ruined chapel of the castle,
where he himself dared not 60 after dusk
This place was dedicated to the family ghost
the spirit, which for many years had it entirely
at it's own disposal 1t was much attached to
its quarters, seldom leaving them, except for
the purpose of interfering when anything deci-
dedly wrong was going forward in the castle
LA Femme Noir had been gliding along the
unprotected parapct of the bridge, and stand
ing on pinnacle, before the late masters
death; and many tales were told Of her, which
in this age of unbelcf would not be credited"
"Granny, did you know why your friend
ventured so fearlessly into the ghosts terrific
ries!" inquired my cousin.
"I am not come to that, was hereby; "and
you are one saucy little maid to ask what do
not choose to tell. Anlclic certainly entertain.
ed no fear of the spirit; Lii Femme Noir ,
could have no angry feelings towards her, for
my friend would wander in the ruins, taking
10 note of daylight, or moonlight, or even
darkness. The peasants declared their young
lady must have walked over crossed bones, or
drank water out of ravens skull, or passed
nine times round the spectre's lass on mdsum-
mer eve She must have done all this, if not
more; there could be little doubt that the 'Fem-
Inc Noir had initiated her into certain myste-
ries; for they heard, at times. voices in low,
whispering converse, and saw the shadows of
two persons cross the old roohess chapel, when
Mamsele' had passed the toot.bridge alone.
Monsieur gloried in the fearlessness on the part
of his gcutle niece; and more than once, when
he had jewellers in the CASTLE he sent her forth
at midnight to bring him bough from tree
that only grew beside the altar of the old chapel;
and she did his bidding always as willingly,
though not as rapidly. as he could desire.
But certainly Amelie's courage brought no
calmness She became pale; her pillow was
often moistened by her tears; her music was
neglected; she took no pleasure in the chase;
and her chamois not receiving its usual atten.
ton, went off into the mountains. She avoided
me--her friend, who would have died for her;
she made no roply to my prayers, and did not
heed my entreatcs. One morning, when her
eyes were fixed upon a book she did not read,
and | sat at my embroidery little apart, watch
ing the tears stray over her cheek until was
blinded by my own, heard monsicur's heavy
tramp approaching through the long gallery;
some boots crack-but the boots of monsieur!
they growled!
"Save me. oh save me = she exclaimed wildly.
Before could reply, her uncle crashed open
the door, and stood before us like an embodied
thunderbolt He held an open letter in his
hand-his eyes glared-his nostrils were distend-
ed-he tremblcd so with rage, that the cabl-
nets and old china shook again.
"Do you,' said he, know Charles lc Maitre?
"Amelie replied. she did.
GLOW did you make acquaintance with the
son of my deadlest foe!
"rhcre was no answer. The question was
repeated Amelie said she had met him, and
at last confessed it was in the ruined portion OF
the castle! She threw herself ut her unrles feet
she clung to his knees; love taught her elo-
qucnce She told him how deeply Charles re-
gretted tho long standing feud' how earnest,
and true, and good, he was. Bending low, I'M
til her tresses were heaped upon the floor, she
confessed, modcstly, but firmly, TINT she loved