The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-09-28
CHAPTER II.
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The lamps shone DER fair women anG
brave men. Byron.
But though the heart be breaking, vel
The world shall never know,
What gathered thoughts are garner
ed there,
Of bitterness and woe.
'Tis evening and the splendid man
sion of the Warmers is brilliantly illu
minated, for q gay party arc assembled
there. The light from costly chan
deliers falls softly upon wavy tresses
and sylpillike forms, for there are
congregated the wealth and aristocra
cy of the Empire city. Sweet fra
grance from rare exotics pcrvades the
apartments, while the silvery music o.
the sparkling water in marble t0un
tans, falls sootlingly upon the ear.
Within her elegant boudoir stands
the proud and haughty Emily Warn.
er. A costly robe Of pink satin udor,s
her quccn-likc figure, while her glossy
trcsses, black US the ravens wing
floats in rich profusion over 4 neck OF
snowy whitcness.-ier dark eyes
sparkle, and smile Of conscious su.
periority plays around her mouth, as
glanci,l ut the mirror opposite, she
dcsccnds to welcome her guests.
Many an allniring gluncc is be-
slowed upon her, us with her pccu
liar grace She receives her friends; for
amid that gay asscmblagc, none Cal,
surpass her i'll beauty or accomplish.
n.cnts.
With music and dancing the
hours glide swiftly away, and glad
hearts bound in unison with the
gay scene. Yet the naughty Emily
Warner vainly c'dcavurs TO conceal
the deep anxiety within her breast; for
ever aud anon her dark eye glances
eagerly over the assembled multi.
tudc in search of some objects which
it fails to meet. At length bright
flush OF joy sutlnses her fair cheek, aud
a.glad smile illumines hers rnai,tey-
saifce as tho handsome and tainntel
Arthur Leyton is announced, for he is
the acknowledged lover ofthc proud he
ircss.
Eagerly advancing to meet him,
she gaily exclaimed
''prithc, why this long delay, sir
knight! We thought YOU had tors .k-
eli us"
circumstances prevented my ap.
pcaring earicr,' coldly replied her com
panion.
Cnagrined at his forrnality, instead
of the gay repultcc with which he was
wont to greet her, she soon Withdrew
from his side to hide her disnppoint-
mcnt and modification by appearing
to join in the merry jest and ring
ing laughter which echoed throughout
the apartments: while Arthur Leyton
retired to an obscure corner, where
mobserved. he could watch the Oh.
jccts around him.
The caske. is beautiful" )" murmnrel
he, as he gazcd upon the form of Emi.
ly: "but, alas! gentleness ard harity
are strangers to the heart"
The evening wore away, and the
guests began to dispcrSc. The bril-.
liantly illuminated apartments were
own feeble efforts, to supply them
with food, until, committing the lit.
tie one to tho care of an ever pres.
cut being. she too passed away to
the spirit land.
The family Of which Alice had now
become II member, consisted Of Ar.
deserted, and as the carriage con.
tanning the last Of her guests rolled n.
way, Emily Warner asccndcd to her
room, FIinging herself upon couch
yielded to a passionate flood of tears.
Pride, disappointment and morti,
fication, the mingled emotions OF
her heart, that had been concealed du.
ring the evening, now gave way
Long and bitterly she wcpt, for the
tide of passion within her bosom ban.
ishod sleep from her cyelids, and the
keen dart of disappointed affection
was ranking in her heart.
All! lady fair, hadst thou have be-
slowed one word of kindness upon the
little flower girl in the morning, many
many times would it have been
returned to thee during the evening
that has now passed. Thou hast vel
to learn that each little net of charity
and kindness bringcth its own sweet re
ward.