The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-04-06
bflrttt1 Galts.
GRACE M ARL Al D,
FRIENDS AND FORTUNE.
CHAPTER I.
by MISS EMMA T. WILSON.

"Why are you so sad, Miss Marland n
asked Mr.. Frederick Gray, Of young
and beautiful girl, who was leaning against
the side Of window in a brilliantly light
ed ballroom, looking sadly out at the
stars.
Miss Grace Marland was an orphan ;
her father and mother dying when she
was about twelve years Of age, she was
lett in the care Of her maternal uncle, Mr..
William Shaw. Size was immensely
wealthy, having had fortune left her
by her fathers brother; Mr.. James Mar
land who died few years after his bro.
ther. She was just eighteen; superbly
handsome, with dark eyes which one mo-
ment melted with tenderness, and the
next, flashed with defiance on any often
dor, but whose abiding expression was
gentleness; hair dark brown, loo'sing
black in the shade, and auburn in the
sun; complexion dazzlingly fair, rather
pale, but when under any excitement
glowing with rich tinge Of crimson
The lips were the chief beauty Of the face !;
they treasured you. Silently as may
blaze those eyes, there IS word Of char
ity, tenderness, forbearance, and firmness,
upon which you might throw yourself,
with all your sins and sorrows, and be
sure Of sympathy, comfort and repose.-
She was rather tall, but beautifully pro-
portioned, and exquisitely graceful. Her
dress Of amber colored satin set off her
graceful figure to the greatest advantage; /;
her hair, looped up with jewelled comb,
showed the swan like throat encircled
with necklace Of pearl; whose white
ness was rival!ed by the beautiful neck.
Such was the tout ensemble Of the owner
Of the splendid palace-like house to which
we have introduced our readers, and tha
giver Of splendid ball. Well might
Frederick Gray ask whv she looked sad
"Why do look sad r. she repeated.
at was foolish fancy" she said. smiling,
and turning to look on the festive scene.
IL was thinking whether by an unfore-
seen chance my fortune should be wrested
from me, il half Of these friends here
would know me. No." she said, her
smile fading away, "there are not more
than dozen people here, il so many,
who would notice me II might be-more
worthy then than now, perhaps"
Mr.. Gray bowed; but whether in ac-
quiescence with her remarks, or whether
for some other reason she could not tell.
She turned again to the window, and il
seemed with half sigh, and gazed up to
the bright, clear stas=, sRholly unconscious.
OF the look Of yearning passionate love
beaming from the dark eyes of Mr.. Gray.
All at once recollecting herself, she left
the window, and taking her companions
prohered arm, walked through the halls,
giving smile to this one, word TO that,
and winning all hearts by her gentIeness
and beauty.
AT q late hour the party, or rather the
ball, broke up, every one going home
'weahed,, but perfectly we'll satisfied with
theuselyes, and every body else q rare
thing wIhere 30 many are concerned. The
lights /are out, and the late lively rooms
iotbk forlorn and deserted: but wholly de-
Serted 1t was not, for standing by a rich
table loaded with flowers which now look.
ed faded and dead, stood Grace and her
bosom friend, Florence Wyman; thew
stood with arms round each other. and
their heads bent slightly down.
"Well," said Grace, after pause, and
with sly glances at Florence, "I shall
have to give up all this splendor; and
when uncle William has gone to England,
shall have TO earn my bread; how ma
ny Of to-nighfs firm, life-lasting friends
shal: have then who viii visit the poor
dress-makeri 7 Very few, am afraid"
"Well, we shall see, Grace, darling,
you may be sure that you shall have al
Of my patronage" and kissing her, Flo
renee rushed down stairs to join her bro
ther, who had been calling that the car
rage was waiting sometime.
aYcs," soliliquized Grace, as she, took
a candle and glanced slowly round the
room, as she leh IL, II shall prove them,
when l have my quiet little room in . Sc
cluded street, and do dress-making; when
this rich satin Is changed for clieap cal.