The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-09-14

lis evening and the splendid mansion
OF the Warmers is brilliantly illuminated,
for gay party are assembled there. The
light from costly chandeliers falls softly
upon wavy tresses and sylph like forms,
Tor there are congregated the wealth and
aristocracy of the Empire city. Sweet
fragrance from rare exotics pervades the
apartments, while the silvery music of the
sparkling water in marble fountains, falls
soothingly upon the ear.
Within her elegant boudoir stands the
proud and naughty Emily Warner. A
costly robe Of pink satin adorns her queen.
Ike figure, while her glossy tresscs, black
as the ravens wing, floats in rich profu-
sion over neck of snowy whiteness.-
Her dark eyes sparkle, and smile of
conscious superiority plays around her
mouth, as glancing at the mirror opposite.
she descends to welcome her guests.
Many an admiring glance is bestowed
upon her, as with her peculiar grace she
receives her friends; for amid that CAV
aSsemoIage, none can surpass her in beau
ty or accomplishment IS.
With music and dancing the hours
glide swiftly away, and glad hearts bound
in unison with the gay scene. Yet the
naughty Emily Warner vainlv endeavors
to conceal the deep anxiety within her
breast; for ever and anon her dark eve
glances eagerly over the assembled mul-
ttude in search Of some objects which il,
ia'ls 10 meet. AT length bright flush of
JOY sutfuSes her fair cheek, and Glad
smile illumines her countenance as the
handsome and talented Arthur Levton i
announced, for he is the acknowledged
lover OF the proud helress.
Eagerly advancing to meet him, she
gaily exclaimed:
"Prithe, why this long delay, sir knight ?
we thought you had forsaken u.s."
circumstances prevented my appear
ing earlier" coldly replied her companion.
Chagrined at his 6formality, instead of
the gay repartee with which he was wont
to greet her, she soon withdrew from his
side to hide her disappointment, aud mos
tification by appearing to join in the mer-
ry jest and ringing laughter which echoed
throughout the apartments : while Arthur
Leyton retired to an obscure corner, where
unobserved, he could watch the objects
around him.
"The casket is beautiful" murmured he.
as he gazed upon the form of Emily "but,
alas! gentleness and charity are strangers
to the heart"
The evening wore away, and the guests
began to disperse. the brilliantly illumi-
mated apartments were deserted, and as
the carriage containing the last of her
guests rolled away, Emily Warner ascen-
ded TO her room, Flinging herself upon
couch, she yielded to a passionate food
Of tears.
Pride, disappointment and notification,
the mingled emotions of her heart, that
had been concealed during the evening,
now gave way. Long and bitterly she
wept. for the tide of passion within her
bosom banished sleep from her eyeids,
and the keen dart of disappointed affec-
ton was ranking in her heart.
All lady fair, hadst thou have bestowed
one word Of kindness upon the little flow.
er girl in the morning, many, many times
would it have been returned to thee dur
ing the evening that has now passed.
Thou hast yet to learn that eash little act
of charity and kindness bringeth its own
sweet reward.