The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-02-22
@You are angry with me :"
81 am not angry, William p
uD;s>1oocad m

teeth, II can't help II. IL 10 lnPo'.o' " "
to please you always. You are continually get
ting angry with me about trities. When you
get over it Just let me know"
| always thought William was little cruel
He turned to Jane H, and began to converse
with her in the gaycst tone he could command.
Still Lizzie said nothing. She only sighed.
Once more | endeayored to draw her into con-
versation; but she scarcely answered me. Oh
serving my object, William put his face to hers,
and said with light laugh
GAre you pleasedy yet 2
She made no reply; but seated herself in a
more comfortable position in the bottom OF the
sleigh. -.,. 49,
'sIet herpout," laughed William. 81 am used
to it. sShellge over it soonest if you leave her
-rrr scolfess was partly 81 6is oPinion, aud
thinking had done all duty demanded, resolved
to follow his advice. / did not speak to the
Lily again. She sat motionless and SLEPT on the
bottom of the sleigh.
Meanwhile all was gayety around her. Will
worse than ever"
!. .But is it not strange that he could not resist
liam's laugh was loudest. joined in the gen
eral mirth. Incur merrimen, we sung in full
chorus, the silyery voices of thegirls, and the
clear, rich tones of their partner's ringing out
with the joyously jingling ellsNpon the cold air
beneath the twinkling stars
And our four black horses pranced galley;
and still the snow shrieked and cracked beneath
runners and hoofs; and as we few onward dark
fences seemed Jagged lines traced upon the white
ground.
Still Lizzie, in the midst Of all this mirth, sat
motionless and silent on the bottom of the sleigh.
Thus we arrived at D.. r. drove
up to the hote where the ball was to be, in grand
style, wheeling The four blacks into beautiful
circle, and bringing the sleigh within half an
inch of the steps. Just at that time our merry
voices were pouring forth the stirring tones Of
the "Canadian boatman's song" which to my
ear had never sounded so beautiful, and grand,
and full of sou-stirring melody as on that winter
hight. l do not like tohear it now. Ever since
it brings that scene wildly before me, and fills
nv soul with sadness! Oh, memory! how dost
thou by one link, drag up from the dark gulf of
the past the. endless chain of joys and sorrows,
forged in the fiery furnace of youth! Its clank-
ing falls heavily upon my heart like the solemn
soundsof Sabbath bells
OuF song ccdStQ Will SbiuiO VI lhS
bells! Our merriment had protected us against
the cold, and it was no great matter to overcome
the numb sensation which sitting long in one
position had produced; and We rose upon our
feet Youths leaped to the steps, and with play
full complaints of being frozen, the girls, with
their assistance, did the same, with one excep-
tion Lizzie sat still.
"Lizzie," said William
There was no reply.
"She is asleep !" said one of the girls gaily."
"rl risk that in the noise we made" J" exclaim.
ed another.
"She is making believed" said William peev-
ishy "She is only waiting for me to get out
of the way. Well, I'll humor her. Fred, be SO
good as to escort her in when she is ready"
And William, to show himself independent
I have always supposed-walked proudly into
the hotel.
"Come, Lzzie!n exclaimed Ellen v,
impatiently, 1--WE are waiting for you"
"She is actually asleep!' said l. 'She would
not act so, am sure, if she was not. Take hold
of her"
Ellen shook her companions shoulder. The
Lilly dropped the more. Ellen pushed aside the
thick veil, and epdeavored to raise her head.
"She won't wake upr' she exclaimed half
frightened.
"There issomething wrong" muttered F.,
who had given the reins to the ostler.
81 am afraid !" said Ellen, starting back. 81
-I-think she has tainted !"
F. bounded into the sleigh. | saw him
tear the thick glove from bis hand, and lay his
palm on Lizzie's face. A suppressed exclama-
ton escaped his lips; no more; and lifting the
Lilly in his arms as If she had been an infant, he
bore her hastily into the hotel.
vague terror had come over me. l believe
feared the worst. Uncertainty made horror more
horrible l heard F---ca for help the mo-
ment he entered the hail. and being wholly be-
side myself with fear, rushed into the public
paror. met William G. near the door.
"There is something the matter with Lizzie"
articulated.
Either my words or my manner conveyed
fearful meaning to Wigam's heart. Laughter
died on his lips. Mirth faded from his counten-
ance. He became deathly pale.
"With Lizzie 2" he gasped.
Making a strong effort to appear selfpossessed
in the presence of the crowd which pressed
round me, said-"I think she is dringm .
A cry of CONSERVATION quivered on every lip
Only William was silent. No direction was
needed to lead him to the Lilly. Already a
crowd pressed around her indicating the spot
where she lay in the arms Of those who were en-
deavoring to restore sensation.
1t vas too late
I heard murmur fall from the asby lips Of
Jane Il, who had penetrated the throng,
and obtained a view of her companion.
'Frozen to death p
Dizzy and faint turned away. For mo-
ment seemed staggering under horrid dream:
The walls reeled around me. Ghastly faces and
spectral forms hoated before my vision in mist.