The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-11-24

threw its rider. Help was fortunately at
hand, and the reverend gentleman was
instantly conveyed home, when it was
found that his left thigh was broken.
Thanks, however, to his temperate hab-
its it was before long authoritativcly pro-
nounced that although it would be con.
siderable time before be was released from
confinement, it was not probable, that the
lusty winter of his life would be shortened
by what had happened, unfortunately.
the accident threatened to have evil con-
sequences in another quarter. Imme-
diately after it occurred. one Matthews, a
busy, thick headed, lout ola butcher, rode
furiously off to Elm Park with the news.
Mrs. Arbuthnot, who daily looked to be
confined, was walking with her husband
upon the lawn in front of the house, when
the great burly blockhead rode up, and
blurted out that the rector had been
thrown from his horse and it was feared
killed.
The shock of such an announcement
was OF course, overwhelming. A few
hours afterwards, Mrs. Arbuthnot gave
birth to healthy male child but the
young mothers life, assailed by fever, was
for many days .terly despaired of-for
weeks held to tremble so evidently in the
balance that the slightest adverse crcum-
stance might III moment turn the scale
ieathward. At length the black horizon
that seemed to encompass us so hopelessly
lightcned and afforded the lover husband
glimpse and hope of his vanished and
well nigh despaired of Eden. The promise
was fulfilled. was in the library with
Mr.. Arbuthnot, awaiting the physiciau's
morning report, very anxionsly expected
at the rectory, when DR.. Lindley entered
the apartment in an evidently cheerful
mood.
Hou have been cau>clessly alarmed,'
he said. There is no fear whatever of
a relapse. Weakness only remains, and
that we shall slowly, perhaps, but GER
tainly, remove
\ CLEAN ofiightning seemed to flash
over Mr.. Arbuthnots expressive coun-
tenance- blessed be Godv he exclaimed.
And how he added, shall we manage
respecting the child! She asks for it in.
cessautly.'
Mr.. Arbuthnot's infant son, / should
state, had leen consigned Immediately af.
ter its birth to the care of Mrs. Dandy,
who had herself been confined, also with
u boy about fortnight previously. Scar
latina being prevalent in the neighborhood,
Mrs. Dandy was hurried away with the
two children 20 place near Bath, almos,
before she was able to bear the Journey.
MIR. trbuthnot had not left his wife for
one hour, and consequently had only seen
his CHILD for y few minutes just after it was
born.
Will! respect TO the child replied DIR.
Lindley, Il I'm ot opinion that Mrs. Ar
buthno: may soe it in n day or two. Say
the a '!d day from tins, il all goes well.
thin@ we may venture so far, but | will
be presentfor an untowarC agitati, might
be, perhaps, instantly fatal This point
Professionally settled, we all three went
our several ways; to cheer the still suf-
tering rector with good news.
The next day but one, Mr.. Arbuthnot
was in cxubcrant spirits. DIR. Lindley's
report is even more favorable than we had
anticipated he said 'and start to NOR
row morning, to bring Mrs. Dandy and
the child. The postman's subdued
but unmistakable knock, interrupted him.
The nurse he added, is very attentive
and punctua. She writes almost every
day a servant entered with salver
heaped with letters. Mr.. Arbuthnot toss
ed them over eagerly and seizing one, af.
ter glaneing at the post-mark, tore it ca
gerly open, muttering, as, he did so 1t
is not the usual hand writing, but from
her, no doubt, 'Mercifnl God = i'm
pulsiyely exclaimed, as suddenly lifted
my eyes TO his.
What is the meter = A mortal palor
had spread over Mr.. Arbuthnot's before
animated features, and lie was glaring at
the letters in his hand as il a basalisk had
suddenly confronted him. Another mo-
ment, and the muscles Of his frame APP
pearrd to give way suddenly aud he drop
ped heavily into the easy armchair from
which he had risen to take the letters. /
was terribly alarmed, and first loosening
his neckerchief, for he seemed choking, |
said--Let mo call some one : and turn
ell TO reach the bell, when lle instantly
seized my arms, and held me with grip
oflroD. 'No--no--nor he hoarsely grasp
ed, Whitewater There was fortunate
ly some n a side table. handed il to
him, and he drank eagerly. 1t appeared
to revive him a little. He thrust the
erumpled letter into his pocket and said
ina low quick whisper--'There is some
one coming. Not word remember--not
q wordP AT the same time he wheeled
his chair bali round, SC that his lack should
be towards the servant we card approach
ing.
i am sent, sir, said Mrs. Arbuthuot's
maid, to ask il the post has arrivedr
Yes replied Mr.. Arbathnot, with
wonderful mastry Of his voice. Tell your
mistress IshaIl be with her almost imme,li-
ately and that her---her son IS quite well,