The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-06-05

ciimDeu ;pfeCplceH, traVcrBeu continents,
brayed :he ocean in its wrath, to have res
cued her from physical danger but, like
many others as thoughtIess as himself, he
did not dream of the fearful Importance OF
the result; did not know that the Infinite
alone could compute the hazard of the
tempted one. Thus far had he succeeded,
that she had consented to attend with him
a brilliant ball
1T will be superb affair." he said half
aloud, AZ he walked down street. The
music will be divine, too. And she used
to be SO fond Of dancing Twas lovely
girl spoiled when the black-coatcd gentry
preached her into their notions. And vet
and yet--pshaw! all cant all cant -
What harm can there be in it? And if
che does Withstand all this, will yield the
point that there is somcthiBg-yes, great
deal. in her religion
So musing, he proceeded to the shop Of
Mrs. Crofton, the most fashionable dress
maker in the place. and forgot his mon,su-
tary scruplcs, in q consultation aa TO the
proper materials for IIelen's dress, which
was to be a present from himself, and
which he determined should be worthy her
grace and beauty.
The ball was over, and Helen stood in
her festal costume before the ample mirror
in her chamber, holding in one hand
white kid glove she had just withdraw n.
She had indeed been the belle of the ball.
room. Simplicity of life, and joyous spi-
rit,sare wonder-workcrs, and she was ire
sistably bright and fresh among the faded
and hackneyed frequcntcrs of heated as
scmbly rooms. The most delicate and
Intoxicating flattery had been offered her,
and wherever she turned she met the
glances Of admiration. Her brother, too,
had becn proudly assiduous, had followed
her with his eyes so perpe,ually as TO
seem scarcely conscious of the pre-
sence of another; and there she stood,
minute after minute, lost in the rccollec-
tions OF her evening triumph. ~
Almost queen like looked she, the rich
f"'"" % he" -"t'" ""has s;r;ns fnltness to
her slender form, and glitter.ny as il woven
with silver thread. Point lace, broad and
cxquisitely fine, fell from her short sleeves
over heT snowy arms, and gave softness TO
the outline of her bust. a chain of pearls
lay on her neck, and CLEANED amidst the
shading curls, which fioa,ed from beneath
chaplet Of white roses. She looked up
at length, and smiled upon her lovely re-
Election in the mirror, and then wrapping
herself in dressng-gown, took up vol
ume OF sacred poems. But when she
attempted to read, her mind wandered TO
The dazzling scene she had just Quilted
She knet to pray but the brilliant vision
haunted her still. and ever as the wind
stirred the vines about the window, there
came back that sweet alluring music.
She rose with pang of seif-reproach.-
Instead of the confidence, the conscious
ness of protection, the holy serenity with
which she usually sought her pillow, che
experienced an excitement and restlessness
which nothing could allay. She attempt
ed to mediate, but with every thought Of
duty came memories OF he festive gar
lands, and the blazing lamps aud the nt-
ting figures OF the merry dancers
An open Bible lay ON the window seat
and as she passed ii she read -. Another
parable put lie forth unto them, saying,
The kingdom OF heaven is ikened unto
man, which sowed good seed in his field.
But while he slept, his enemy came and
sowed tarcs among the wheat and went
his way
Tears sprung to her eyes, and she ex-
claimed, In the field of my heart hath the
enemy sown tarcs.' She took up the book
and read again: then too SOULFUL to re-
main quiet. she rapidly paced her chamber
Rcsoln,ely and carefully she reviewed the
past, back TO her first faint trembling
hope Vigorously, as in the presence OF
her Maker, she scanned her frat departure
from the narrow path her earlier convic-
tons were pungent, ten-iold more intense
Was the agony Of this, her second awaken
ing.
In the solitude of his chamber, Edward
thought with less elation of his successful
plan. lie believed that Helen would have
yielded 20 no ordinary temptation, and he
felt that he had been scarcely generous TO