The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-03-08

his feeble health for the past year, Mr. M. had
received but very small salary, which, with
the most rigid economy, barely sllfficed for the
wants of his family, and he left them almost pen
iess. By the assistance of some friends they
soon succeeded in establishing small school,
and mother and daughter applied themselves
closely to their new occupation.
| But the cheek of Ella Marvin grew pale, and
though none others suspected the cause of her
illness, her fond mother knew that the canker
was at her heart, consuming, drop by drop, her
very LIES blood-and she gazed upon her with
fearful apprehension, as she thought that, ere
! long, the only being on earth for whose sake
she cared to live, must be rent from her side.
CIIApTERIII.
Ten years more have passed away-and in
that brief period, what sad scenes have trans
pired-what fond hopes been blighted-how
many bright dreams been changed to cold, a
bitterreaty In mean edifce, in the city Of
New York, the sole occupant of an ill-furnish-
cd room, sis The miser, fondly gazing, and you
would think that his whole soul was thrown
into that gaze, upon shining heaps of gold, ar
raycd before him. The miser! Who, as he
| contcnplates that furrowcd brow, that care
worn face, prenlaturely grown old, would re.
cognize in It's hard lineaments the countcnancc
of Gustave Grey, the frank and opcn-lieartcd
being of former days! Yet he it is.
But why does he start so suddenly, as with
eager care he counts over his boarded treasures!
Why, in that hurried, vestlcss manner, draw his
hand across his brow, while has face settles
down into the expression of>a, fend?
"Strange, unaccountably strange" he says,
in a musing tone, &" that that spectral form
should so often cross my path with its sad, re-
proachful look. Wander where will, even in
the most unfiequented streets, she appears be-
fore me, with that pale, anguishcd expression,
verspread her features. And yet | loved her
once-oh, how fondly~
There are moments when visions of bright
and happy past will come over the soul, and, as
if by sudden flash, awaken emotions of JOY
and ofhappness that have long slumbered there,
when all cxtacy, to which the heart has long
been stranger, lightcns over it, and, like
strain of remembered music, breathes through
our very being. A snlile-a smile ofhappiness,
such as it was wont to wear in his days OF
youth and innocence, -beamed upon the face
Gustavc. Memory was at work, and, reclining
his head upon his hands, he gave way to the
food of recollcctions that overpowered him.
Again appeared his loved Ella; ; not as the pale
and emaciated beinc whom he hnd met in his
daily walks, but the Ella of former days-bright,
Joyous, and happy; happy in the love of him
who was now Il prey to the vcst of passions.
Gradually his mcditations assumed the form
of dream. The scene was changed. Again
he was bcggar boy-and the chill winds
swept pitilcssly through his ragged garments,
as he sat, stretching forth his thin attenuated
hands, while there uprose from his quivering
lips, a sad appeal to the passers by
"Only 4 few pence, to buy loaf of bread"
The man of wealth, the giddy son of pleas.
urc, the votary oflashion-all passed by, un-
needed. Soon there approached bright, love-
" little being, whose deep blue eyes portrayed
the soul OF sympathy, and at the sight of whom
Il tide of contcnding emotions rushed over the
heart of Gust,vc. 1t was Ella. To her he
stretched out his trembling hands, and begged
for bread bread. Still in vain! n!-she too
passed on, and left him to his fate. And now
the poor boy felt that he was dying, unpitied
and uncarcd for by the world around; he felt
the death chills gathering on his brow. He
gaspcd for brcath-thcn, with an implnring
look toward Iieavcn-hc teebly breathed the
name of"Mrthcrw and knew no more.
He awoke. From the agony of that dying
gasp--he awokc The candle was burning
dimly in its socket, and as his eyes rested npen
the table before him-hc kncwheh had been drc;A-
ing. lie started from his seat and paced the
floor. A shndder ran through his whole frame
as he recalled the bitter dream, and that dying
gasp seemed still to ring in his ears.
t" And such was land such would have been
nv fate, hut for her whom have so cruelty
wrnngcd Oh, my ungrateul heart, that as
with pen of fire that sweet image was not
forever impressed upon thce!'
This time he did not refuse to listen to the
plcalngs of his better nature. The mornl"g
light I'LL fur,nd linn pacing the floor, and al
though his brow was knit us with deep thought,
vet the calm and tranquil look that ovcrspread
his features, told ola heart improved.
lie now th,rght no more ofhis gold, and his
sole object WIS to gain an interview with ELLA,
when he would free Y, frankly tell her all, and
inplorc her forgiveness. Affections which had
50 long slu,nhcred in his soul, were revived with
tcn.foiI power, and he spent the day in wan.
,lering through tic streets, seeking with eager
r. I.I,.,. c,u,, a., irL ,f Irt, hn hu1 cn ot.