The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-10-02

SIIlIIG.
Days passed, and the sun rose and
set upon the fair land of his birth. and
yet Grayson had not changed; he found
that he must tell her of his love, and
wed her, or life would be blank. A
note was conveyed to her by the hand
of a trusty messenger, and in return
she promised 10 grant him an interview.
The night came ). he was in fever of
excitement; he noted not the silvery
moonbeams as they came struggling
through the thick foliage that waved
above his head, as he stole in through
the wicket that led to Mr.. Grants gar
dens. ALI his thoughts were concen-
trated upon one object, and she, the
idol of his soul, was waiting to receive
him, with heart overhowing with
love.
"Ah! my Sanfordw she exclaimed,
as he pressed her fondly 10 his bosom,
~ have been so unhappy. feared
that you would see the folly of loving
one so poor and unworthy as | am, but
now believe you to be all that is good
and true"
"Never, never, / am ever thine" said
he; "thou alone will wed; and, dear.
est, the bridal ceremony must soon take
place. know not why, but strange,
underlined foreboding comes stealing
over my spirit. fear that even now
may chance to lose thee, and should
such a calamity befall me, the bright
sun of my existence will have gone
out, and death alone will give my
spirit rest" .-I-.-
While he had been speaking. he had
seated himself upon rustic bench by
her side, and her head was pillowed
upon his bosom. -t
And do you love no other?" she
asked, Il have heard my cousin Anna
frequently speak of you, and ! had
thought from what she said, you had
given her hopes Of one day making her
your wife,"
"God knows that would sooner die,
than wed with one, cold, proud, and
heartless, like her" he impetuously
exclaimed. .-...s..-
But at that moment the sound of a
football startled them, and Grayson
sprnng to hisfeet, while the trembling
girl buried her face in her hands. But
all the next moment was still, and he
turned to her and laughed away their
fears. And when they parted that
night. it was with a vow registered,
that before week had passed they
shouId be united in the holy bonds OF
wedlock.
1t was half an hour later that Anna
Grant stood alone in her room a light
burned upon the table, and cast its rays
upon her face, now convulsed with pas
sion. All that beauty for which she
was renowned was merged into look
of demouiac hatred. Her eyes flashed
with fierce fire, and her thin, pouting
lips quiyered with the strength of her
emotions.
" It shall not be-Grayson must never
lead her to the altar, and he shalt not
do so, unless over my dead body. |
am not to be defeated. have staked
all my happiness on this cast. He is
rich, and |, though in all eyes an
heiress, am in reality beggar. Her
voice fell as she pronounced the last
sentence, and it expressed the most
unutterabIe loaihing. mo one but
myself knows that my father is ruined
man. and Sanford Grayson must and
shall be my husband, before the blow
falls. He can uphold our name, and if
once linked TO me he would do so.n-
For a moment her form remained mo.
tiOnless, except an almost impercepfi-
BILE tapping of one tiny foot upon the
floor, then again her head was triumph-
antly, raised 81 have it'll, shall sue.
ceed," she cried, "no other course can
at this late hour be pursued, for heard
all the sigh5ng lovers vows uttered this
night. Ha! ma little did they think
that she of whom they spoke was so
near 10 them. Backet, my servant,
will assist me; he has been more kind
to Dora than has any one else, and he |
will not be suspected, though he is a |
slave TO my will; yes, it must be DONE"
With auickstep that wicked woman |
left ahe apartment in search of her |
minien- He was soon found, and his
snakl; black eye glistened as she in |
hliffied whisper, babe him follow, het.
Not d word more was spoken, untilthey
stood beneath the pure arch of heayen,
with the thousands, of stars twinkling
overhead, and the warm air tanning
heir brows. For an instant conscience
smotk her, and she could not speak, but
he next, aIlher forfnef evil feelings re.
urned, and in as clear a manner as pos
iible, she feld him of her designs.
II would have yoii," she continued,
would have you, ere another moon
las set, take this girl far hence; and
mind, It must be done in such manIet,
hat not trace of your flight can be
discovered. I care not how she goes.
,e it alive or dead. if you but rid me of
Ter presence, and that Sanford GraYson
Ieysr more sees her: Do with her as
.ou wish. make her your wife. oaly
AIRY her far, fir away amid the monii-
aims, and yonr reward shall be pfopor.
ionate to your services.p @ II
A grafi6ed expression shone in the
oarse villains eyes as he listened 10 i
or commands, and he bowed low as
be concluded. 4
q Il shall be done as you desire, mad.
-, - H. iS-ski, tla-A..L