The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-05-26


the point of making public idiot of nv
self, but happily some slight remnent Of
common sense was left me. However,
impatient to learn my fate, l drew Julia
aside; and, placing myself at her feet,
while she was enthroned on luxurious
ottoman, | pretended, that must con-
ciude the series of lectures on arts, and
the best methods of coloring, on which |
had been employed with her ever since
my visit.
you seem unhappy to-day, Miss Reay,"
/ said, abruptly, with my voice trembling
like girls.
She raised her large eyes languidlv.-
unhappy? no, l am never unhappy"
she said quietly. "
Her voice never sounded so silvery
sweet, so pure and harmonious. 1t felt
like music on the air.
81 have, then, been too much blinded
by excess of beauty to have been able to
see correctly" answered. ''To me YOU
have appeared always calm, but never
sad; but to-day there is palpable weight
OF sorrow on you, which child might
read. 1t is in your voice, and on your
eyelids, and round your lips, il is on YOU
like the moss on the young rosc-beau
tifying while vailing the dazzling glory
within"
"Ah! you speak far too POLITICALLY for
me" said Julia, smiling, IF YOU will
come down to my level for little while,
and will talk to me nationally, / will tel
you my history. l will tell it YOU as
lesson for yourself which think will do
you good."."
The cold chill tliat went to my soul
Her history! 1t was no diary of facts
that wanted to hear, but only register
of feelings in which l should find myself
the only point whereto the index was set.
History what events deserving that name
could have troubled the smooth waters of
her life? ~.
was silent, for was disturbed; but
Julia did not notice either my embarrass-
ment or my silence, and began, in her low,
soft voice, to open one Of the saddest chap
tcrs of life which had ever heard.
"Iou do not know that am going
into convent" she said; then, without
waiting for an answer, she continued -
"This is the last month of nry worldly
life. In four weeks l shall have put on
the white robe of the novitiate, and in due
course | trust to be dead forever to this
earthly life"
A heavy, thick, choking sensation in
my throat, and burning pain within my
cyeballs, warned me to keep silence. Ny
| voice would have betrayed nle. -
Wncn I was seventeen" continued
Julia, L was engaged to my cousin
We had been brought up together from
childhood, and we loved each other per
fectly. You must not think, because |
speak so calmly now, that have not suf-
tercd in the past. 1t is-only by the grace
OF resignation and of religion, that have
been brought to my present condition of
spiritual peace. | am now fve-and-
twenty-next week l shall be six-and-
twenty that is just nine years since was
first engaged to Laurence lie was not
rich enough, and indeed he was far too
young, to marry, for he was only year
older than myself; and if he had had the
largest possible amount of income, we
could certainly not have married for three
years. My father never cordially approx
ed Of the engagement, though he did not
oppose it. Laurence was taken partner
into large concern here, and heavy
weight of business was Immediately laid
on him. Youthful as he was, he was
made the sole and almost irresponsible
agent in a house which counted its capital
by millions, and through which gold flow
ed like water. For some time, he went
on well-to marvel, well. He was
punctual, vigilant, careful; but the respon.
sibility was too much for the poor boy:
the praises he received, the flattery and
obsequiousness which, for the first time
were lavished on the friendless youth, the
wealth at his command, all turned his
head. For long time we heard vague
rumors ofprrcgular conduct; but rs he
was always the same good, affectionate,
respectful, happy Laurence, when with us,
even my father, who is so strict, and some
what suspicious, turned deaf ear to them.
l was the earliest to notice slight change,
first in his face, and then in his manners.
AT last the rumors ceased to be vague, and
became definite. Business neglected IA
tai habits visible, even in the eariy d law;
| thO hlSitiui uSe vi HOTTiDle WORDS, winch
once he would have trcmbled to use: the
nights passed at the gaming table, and
the days spent in the society of the worst
men on the turf-all these accusations
were brought to my father by credible
witnesses; and, alas! they were too true
to DO refuted. My father-heaven and
the holy saints bless his gray head kept
them from me as long as he could. He
forgave him again and again, and used
every means that love and reason could
employ to bring him back into the way
Of right; but he could do nothing against
the force of such fatal habits as those to
which my poor Laurence had now become
welded. With every good intention and
with much strong love for me burning
sadly amid the wreck of his virtues, he
yet would not refrain: the evil one had
overcome him /; he was his prey here and
hereafter Oh, no--not hereafter Z" she