The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-25


swept from the room, and crossing the
pertumed gallery, amid the blaze of a
hundred wax-lights, s,unceremonousv push
ed open the door of her daughters cham
Der, and like a beautiful serpent glidcd
within.
Her keen eye, piercing the imperfect
light which the dim argand cast over the
apartment, found not the object it sought;
approaching the lamp, she quickly touch
Ell the spring, and tho smothcred flame
leaped up clear and bright at her bidding.
Then, with noisclcss footstcp upon the
soft carpet, sic crossed the room, and
sweeping away the heavy curtains ofruhv
damask which fell over deep recess, dis
closed the kucclng figure of a young Girl,
l'cr face buried in the cushions of Il iau-
teuil
And SO tseems, YOU must fign illness
to defeat my wishesm exclaimed Mrs. FL
lIngton, graSping the shoulder of her
daughter.
80 no, mother, not fcigncd! am real
ly very ILL.," she replied, raising her pale
face, bcdewcd with tears, and putting back
from her brow with one little hand, her
disordcrcd trcsscs.
"lSabcIla, YOU are not ill-it is Il Subtcr
tugc, or if you are, it matters not--So rise
and make your toilet speedily" said Mr..
Ellington.
Observation-Disclosures | am not
able 10 join the company this evening"" re-
piled Isabella, rising from her knees. vet
still leaning against the chair for support:
feel my hands, h w hot they are, and my
head swims so-indccd, mother, am very
i'll ~
81 might have expected this-I might
have known you would thwart me, Us YOU
ever have, in all my plans :" said Mrs. T.
lngton, in cold, taunting tone.
To this rcproach there was no answer
but tears
Like wcll-traincd actress, Mrs. Filing
ton ROW suddenly assumed different
manncr-thc stormy brow became smooth
and calm as summer twili.ht-thc
naughty, compressed lips parted wi,h a
smile, as placing her hand gently on the
arm of lsahclia, she SAID,
"Come, isabella, there is surely 10 need
Of tears; but indeed, my dear, you must
CRAFTY me tonight, and by Your lovcl!-
ness eclipse all othcrs-that is, in the ewes
OF one | could name to YOU. have a
famous cordial, which will relieve your
head, and | will SEND Catherine to assist
you in dressing-Manton, 100, is waiting
your summons-and, by the way, how do
you like my head this 'eveningl Come,
sit down, we have yet an hour, good, and
| want t. have little chat with vou.-
Now, Isabella, do YOU know WHY have
imposed upon myself 50 much fatigue as
to throw open my houscthis cvcningp
"Alas! mothcr-you told me it was
upon my account, and | would gladly have
spared you the trouble" answered Isabella,
sadly.
~ es 1t is on your account. | can no
longer suffer you, Isabella, to scclude YOUR
self from society-no longer give strength
to the tongue Of scandal 10y countenancing
such folly.n
Scandal" exclaimed Isabella, starting
as if from the sting OF some poisonous rep
tile.
Yes, scandalw answered Mrs. Filing
ton, fastening her eye kecnly upon the face
OF her stcp-daughtcr, to watch the effect
Of her words. "That mysterious affair of
yours with your cousin Walter -"
"Mothcr-torbear cried Isabella.
mo; you must hear me-" continued
Mrs. Ellington. "Your fair fame has al
ready been triiled with-thcrc are those
who dare whisper strange tales of one so
young, and who should, therefore, be so
p'Te-those who shrug their shoulders,
and lcer as if they held some disgracelul
fact which, if uttered, would cover you with
shame. ALI! it is well for you, Isabella,
that you are not the daughter of a poor
widow-clsc, who would have spared you?
goll has a refining process"
"My heavenly Father knows my inno-
cence-for the world | care not-only let
me die, mothcr--only let me die" cried
Isabella.
"Foolish child, don't talk of dying
there, lift up your head and hear me-
Among the guests this evening will be the
Count de Breiul, an attache of the French
minister. Ho has seen you at the studio
of young Haven, and, am told, spends
hours gazing upon the exquisite, yet truth
ful copy, the artist has given of your fca-
lures. He has sought an introduction to
me, and have extended to him an invita-
ton for this evening. Now it needs but a
little finese on your part, Isabella, to COM
pletc a conquest already nearly achieved,
and to bring him to your feet. Mcthnks
the title of Countess would well become
you-and then who shall dare to breathe
aught against the Countess De Breiulw
No longer pale, no longer passive, Isa-
bella started to her feet. Even the finished
woman Of the world, whose selfpoesession
was no more easily moved than her self
will, quaiIed beneath her indignant glance
as she said
"Do l understand You, mother! Have
heard aright2 You, who so well know
the anguish Of my heart-you, who so
well know my snffarinoa at the unt;nnol,,