The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-10-06
What be tbnuubt 7 Enoyy No,

1t grew dark, like night, and there came
fash after flash, peal after peal. Icould
not stand-I leaned against his arm. At
last there shone all around Us frightful
glare, as if the whole wood were in flames
"a crash Of boughs-a roar above, as
though the heavens were falling-then
silence.
Death had passed close by ms, and
smote Us not-and Death was the pre-
cursor Of Love.
We looked at one another, Laurrnc"
and |: then, with great crv, our Iearts
-long-tortured-sprang together. There
never can DC such meeting, save that Of
two parted ones, who meet in heaven. No
words were spoken, save munncr-"Ad-
elaide :" "Laurance but we knew
that between us two there was but one
soul. We stood there all the while the
storm lasted. He sheltered me in his
arms, and felt neither the thunder nor
the rain. feared not life nor death, for
now knew that in either | should never
be divided from him.
Ours was n brief enpapcmcnt.-
Laurence wished it so and disputed not
Il never disputed with him in anything
BESIDES, | WAS not happy at home-my
sisters did not understand him. They jes-
ted me because he was grave and rescrv-
ed-even subject to moody fits sometimes
They said IL should have great deal to
put up with but It was worth while, for
MIR. Shelmerdine's grand estate atoncd for
ALL" My Laurence! as it | had ever
thought whether he were rich or poor -
smiled too, at my sisters, jestcd about his
melancholy, and the possibility of his being
"bandit in disguise !" None truly knew
him-nonc but |. Yet | was half afraid
of him at times /; but that was only from
the intensity of my love. never asked
him of his for mellow it grew-or how
he had so long concealed it: enough for
me that i. was there. Yet it was always
calm; he never showed any passionate
emotion, save one night-the night before
our wedding day.
went with him to the gate myself
walking in the moonlight under the holly
trees. I trembled little; but was hap
py-very happy. He held me long in his
arms ere he could part with me-tlIe last
iefparting ere we would need to part no
more. l said, looking up from his face to
the stars, Laurence, in our full Joy let us
thank God, and pray Him to bless u.s."
His heart seemed bursting: he bowed
his proud head dropped is.E i down 1s,appe upon ~, my
him to for0iVe me. Adelaide, | am not
worthy OF happincss-I am not worthy of
you."
He, to talk in this way and about me
but answered hm soothingly, so that he
might feel how dear was my lovc-how
entire was my trust.
He said, at last, half mournfuliv, "You
a'e content to take me then, just Us am;
to forgive my paSt-to bear with my pres
ent--tO give hope to my future Will
you do this, my love, my Adelaide"
| answered, so!emuIy, Il will" Then,
for the first time dared to lift my arms
to his neck and rs he stopped kissed his
forehead. 1t was the seal of this my
promse-which may God give me strength
to keep evermorc
We were laughing to-,lay-Laurcncr
and l-about first Loces 1t was scarcely
subject for mirth but one of his bachc-
lor friends had been telling us of new
married couple, who in some comical fash
ion, mutually made tie discovery Of each
others first loves" said to my husband
smiling happily )" that he need have no
sncl fear" And | repeated, half in sport,
the lines
He was her own, her ocean treasure q st,
Like n rich wrcck-her first low, md her
last
So 1t was with your poor Adelaide. -
Touched by the thought, my gayety mel
ted almost into tears. But | laughed
them of, and added, "Come, Laurence,
confess the same. You never, never loved
any one but me 2"
He looked panied, said coldly, al be-
lieve have not given cause" then stop
ped. How trembled, but went up TO
him, and whispered. "Laurance, dearest,
forgive me-" He looked at me a moment,
then caught me passionately to his breast,
l wept there a little-my heart was so
full. Yeti could not help again murmur-
ing that question:" You love me, you do
love me-"
" love you rs never before loved wo-
man. swear this in the sight Of heaven.
Believe it, my wife," Was his vehement
answer. ] hated myself for having so
tried him. My dear my noble husband
| was mad TO have moments doubt OF
thee.
Nearly year married, and il
seems brief day: yet it seems also like a
lifetime--as IL l had never known any
other. My Laurance daily grow clos
er to him-heart to heart. understand
him better, il possible, love him more ;
not with the wild worship of my girlhood,
but with something dearer, more home
like. would not have him an angel {"
if could. | know all his little faults and
weaknesses quite well-I do not shut my
eyes on any Of them; but gaze openly
at them, and lore them down. There Is
love enough in my heart to flll up all
l oh ua-.-tn eas,,ava al hI;nc. Ilcnl,.