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

hc"'. can no longer support tic sorrow:
and the indignitics you have pressed upor
it. DO you talk of slander-of my il.
jurcd fame. DO you say that the fail
name of your husbands child is blottcd
10y foul calumnyl Let me ask you mo,
thcr, whence came these reports from,
whose mouth did that whisper ofreproacl
speed forth? Who drove the generous
noble Walter Howard forth an outcast
from his unclc's root, to dic-aIas, to lose
his young life upon the battlefield. And
shall tell you why-God forgive me
he rGccfcd tie hond Qfhis uaclc,s ~iRosg.r'
"lsahcIIa! girl, beware! do YOU dare say
this to me-" almost screamed Mrs. ElIinG-
ton, and c!enching the arm of Isabella so
tightly that the impress Of her fingers re-
manned purple on the pure white flesh.
Nes. do dare to speak it, for it is the
truth. And yet you knew how lie loved
me-" she continued in Il Sallcucd tonc.-
~ on knew my whole being WAS bound in
hiS-mothcr; You knew before You mar
rlcd my father, that lie had already sane
toned our love, although VIC were but
childrcn-0nl yet, with bitter hate and
jealousy, abusing the power which my be-
loved tathcr's will had givcn YOU in his
blind affection, you destroyed us both.-
May God forgive YOU, mo;hcr-but the
death of Walter Howard is on your con-
Scicnccm
Mrs. Ellington raised her hand-that
beautiful whith hand, whose lone, taper
fingers glittcrcd with gems, to strike the
brave, wro"ged IsahclIa-but, with an en-
crgy Of which her delicate frame seemed
incapable, isabella arrested the blow. and
then sinking on her knees before her, She
said:
90 mother, do not strike met will
only hc Il sharp blow to your own heart
in your old age, mother, when | shall be
at rest in the grave! Forgive ne for the
words | have spoken. You were tie be-
loved wife of my father, and from YOU,
therefore, / should bear without rcproach." d"
To this Mrs. Ellington made no answer,
but rising haughtiiy from her seat, she
SAID, rs she left the room. in voice Of
bitter irony:
Your admirable acting of the Distress
cd Heroine, Miss Ellington, has added Il
brilliant effect to your cEarms-convcr.cI
Il Niohc into a IIchc, Now dress your
self Guiclily--such beauty must not be
lost--no more cadachcs-rcmCmbcr
am not to bc foiirdm
And isabella, hcart-hrolicn us she was.
only aroused to momcntary energy. and
again supine, dared not to disobcv. and,
although sick and hcavy-hcartcd, began
| her toilet.
Tie features of Mrs. Ellington were 4
/ Iirndioh expression Of malignant JOY ~
sho sought her private drrssimgroon to
recover from the agitation into which this
interview had thrown her.
"Shc knows not that lie still lives" she
cried cNultiugly-"that even this very ,av
| have received private information of his
safety, though lett for dead on the plains
Of Bucna Vista. Yes, she shall marry
the Count De Brciul, and the lovc-sick
fool return to find his Isabella tie wife of
another. And thcn--hc may no longer
slight the love have already prolFcrcd
him-this hand, holding out the tempting
bait of riches, may succeed where NV
charms have failed, in bringing him to my
feet! What compunctions need have
she is no chilk Of mine, and, Ly heavens,
| will be rcvcmgcd upon hcrw Then gIanc-
ing at her repeater, Mrs. Ellington sum-
moncd her attendants, and hastily con-
/ cIulcd her toilet.
Even at an earlier hour than usual for
Fashion to call her votaries to9cthcr.we
the rooms Of Mrs. Ellington rapidly filing
with the gay throng, vet, Of all that rarl
assembluge of loveiness, none could sur.
pass the fair hostess herself either il.
beauty OF person, or in grace and dignity
of manner. Leaning on her arm was Isa-
bella, timidly shrinking from the approach
of the crowd, from whom her youth and
extreme loyelincss, although somewhat
shadOwcd by an air of melancholy, called
forth many expressions of surprise and adj
miration.
Nor was this all, for even rs Mrs. El-
linGton had limited, and through her own
artful agency it was, some other feeling
seemed at work here and there within the
circle. Scandal Missed her venom through
the lips Of bcauty-O how unmect to is.
size thcucc,-Pld there were those. too
among the gentlemen, to whom poisonou.
hints had been conveyed, who shrugged
their shoulders, and Ievcled their eye,
! glasses with an air of freedom at tho
wrongcd Isabella, whose beautiful eyes
downcast, scarce noting the gay throna
around her, remained happily uuconsciou.
of their insolencc.
Suddenly touching the arm Of Isabelle
with her fan, Mrs. Ellington said, in low
whisper
"Now arouse yourself; you have actcc
the languishing beauty long enough: here
comes the Count. Remember our lat,
conversation"
And then, with n radiant smile advanc
ing a step to meet the gentleman who
now drew near, she held out her fail
hand to welcome him, and then presented
him to Isabella as the Count de BreuiI.
l. II. 4 4 = 4