The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-15
CHAPTER III.


CHAPTER III.
| IGOR several minutes no word was spo-
y ken. Alice was happy. She expo,
| rienccd that inAiscrihaL!c sensation that
thrills the soul with JOY, and makes the
heart forget all else save the object of It's
alteration.
But she was brought back to tire reali-
ty of her position by the voice of Henry,
you have IN unpleasant duty to perform
dearest, and one that had better bc done
lmmediatcly,-you must inform Horace
Edgerton of the change that has taken
place in your prospects"
At the mention Of IIoracc's name. her
countcnance underwent a change, but she
replied, "do rs YOU will Henry, my life
no longer seems to be my own; YOU have
only to extend your hand and | will obey
you; but | really do not feel competent
to the task just now; better wait until
1 am more composed"
THAT will only be deferring an unpleas-
T2t 'mtr ,ilsaa, had better not be postponed.
forward stand with writing materials.
and hastily penned few lines that he OBJ
ligcd her to copy, which she did, scarcely
knowing the contents Of the note after it
was written.
Horace took possession Of the note, say
ing that he would save her the trouble of
having it conveyed to its destination. He
was now sure Of his game, and lie smiled
triumphantly rs lie turned to Alice and
remarked, "Now dearest, you have Sc
cured both your own happiness and mine"
and Inc drew her unresistinc form to his
breast, just at the moment that Mr.. VIII
son entered the room.
Mr.. Wilson was emphatically a man Of
the world, his worldly interest and his
standing rs merchant, he valued above
every other consideration. lie was re-
gardcd by the business community rs n
man Of uneXceptionablc choncstv--his word
and contracts had ever been fulfilled to the
letter, and MS his business was conducted
on magnificent scale, he was rcputed to
be one of the richest merchants in the
CITY, yet at the particular time that we
introduce him to the reader, he was not
in so prosperous condition rs many of
his brother merchants imagined. lie
speculatcd largely, and succession of
losses had affected him so seriously, that
upon recent examination OF his books
he discovered that his heavy liabilities
csuld not possibly be met without sacrifc-
ing large portion of his business, and
this lie resolved not to do at all hazards ::
but how to raise the requisite sum to pre-
vent this alternative, was the difficulty
that he was revolving in his mind the eve
ming that we make his acquaintance.
AS Mr.. Wilson entered the room, he
took the position Of the parties at a glance,
and the first expression traceable in his
countcnance was one of unfeigncd surprise,
but soon his features relaxed and pre-.
sonted an aspect more difficult to define.
IL would seem to an acute observer that
new and unlocked for idea had suddenly
presented itself to his mind, and one not
altogether Of an unpleasant nature. But
hastily assuming n sternness that the oc-
casion required, he advanced towards the
parties, and though he spoke not word,
yet his look evidently demanded an en-
planation. ......
Alice noiseleSsly glided from the room,
bot Henry without the slightest confusion
in his manner, seemed glad Of an opportu-
nifty to continue the game that ne had al
ready carried on so successfully. "After
what you have just Witnessed" he began.
"the disclosure that will have the honor
Of making in regard to Miss Alice and
myself, will scarcely surprise you. Your
arrival at this particular moment forces me
to announce to you, that which would
eventually have been divulged, viz: that
| have sought and won the affections of
your daughter, and / have Just had the
happiness Of hearing her say that she will
accept me rs her partner for lie. May
hope That her choice has met your appro-
baton I"
II was under the impression that Miss
Wilson was engaged to Mr. Edgerton,"
answered Mr.. Wilson.
"Sbe wds sir, as you l,ave said, but her
sentiments in regard TO him have under
gone . change, and, the engagcmept is
broken 49, -
"You seem 70 bo remarkably well post.
ed IN reference to Miss Wilson'S senti.
risnts, bnt, sir, that engagement ses.s en-.
tered into with my approval, and begtc