The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-07-14

adopted daughter; but he he is also coz,
san, is he not!'
He is neither 6rothe. nor cousin, as hc
: is the adopted child of Aunt Mary but
you arc quite mistaken in surprising that
| stand in the same relation to her; She
is only my great aunt, though She has had
the care of myself and household since
the dccease of my mother"
Her auditor seemed much surprised at
her explanation. Carrie soon excused
herself, and left the room. In moment
she returned, and laying before George Il
large package and a two dollar bill, in an
agitatcd voice observed,
Here are the shirts which have made
for yo", and the money you gave me with
your own hand. | hope YOU will forgive
me when | tell you that presented my
self to you, asking charity in the disguise
Of Nancy Sims, and that she, who was
formerly my domestic. was KNOWN to nv
stratagcm."
George looked the picture of bewildcr-
ment, gazing at the roguish face Of Carrie
who had suddenly recovered her spirits 4:
but when, after waiting in vain for ;,n all
swer, she in a pleading totc asked,
Will you not forgive me- I" he GRASP
ed her hand, exclaimed,
" can forgive YOU any Hing, but |
much wish to know your motive for arti-
flee, if may so call it, Will YOU not
crafty me. 2"
" will explain, after YOU have answer
cd me one question: and the bllshing girl
trembicd like an aspen, as she gently laid
her hand upon his shoulder, whist in G,I-
tcring accents, She inquired, "Gcorge, will
You marry ne -
If Woods was astoni>hcd before. lie
might NOW have passed fora statue OF stu
plicd amazcmcnt; and there he sat, sta
ring at Carrie like one absolutely bcrcft Of
his senses; but she, NOW that the "mur-
der WAS out" felt much relieved, and
could hardly help laughing heartily at tn"
effect Of her question. George still seem
| cd unable to comprehend, and plying his
embarrassment, she said gently,
Speak, George, or | shall think YOU
reject me ~
lie was aroused 10y her words, and in
Il voice trembling with cagerncss, cried,
"Oh, Miss Lang Carrie say that
am not dreaming that this happiness is
rcaIity-that heard Alright"
Il am in earnest my friend, and have
only to remind You that this is Leap Y ear
i'll excuse for my boidness.'
George folded her to his heart, as he
cJaculatcd, "Dearcat Carrc, You have
made me the happiest Of m"rlalS. | have
loved you, worshippcd You ardcntly. hut
dared not aspire to your affections, YOU.
who are surrounded by wealth aLI lwyu-
ry. could not frrhcar s,"ing YOU, but
though each interview has cndcarcd vou
the more TO mo, had not the courage to
ask you to leave your atiluence to share
my humble home. She whom supposed
your adopted mother, evidently was not
| pleased with my visits; but so long as ]
was welcomed by yourself, dared brave.
her dislike. Just us | had begun to hope
| was not indifferent to you, a rival appear
ed, and dcspaircd. But | can scarcely
realize now that this Is not all ,lrcam.-
Tell me, dear Carrie, once more, that it is
not"
Carrie did tell him, and explained all
to her wondering lover; and low indir-
nant was he at De Clinton. and how anna
Zcd was he to learn that Carrie was not
as he supposed, dependant upon veal
thy aunt, bus but the posscssor of large
property; for he had not, like Gustavc,
inquired about the matter: and how amu-
scd WAS he 1t her anxiety to learn the yri-
rate as we'll as the public character of her
lovers, though he liked her all the better
| for II.