The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-02-09
9plefttn Galts
THE CASKET OF JEWELS
A Christmas Story.
BY MRS. sorHRoSIA cURRIER.

AsoTuER scene. The youth of nineteen
sat by an open window looking out into
che calm summer night. The soft deliciou.
breeze lifted the curling hair from brow
now slightly clouded, and the briph,
moonbeams which fell full on his face
found q single tear trembling in that dark,
thoughtful eye. Yet they were not ali
saddened feelings which occupied him; for
not unfrequentIy smile PASSED over his
features, and more than once, rs he sat
there, his eye wandered over the prospect
spread out before bim,.-the beautiful gar.
den, the richly cultivated fields, and the
thick forests which stretch away far as
the eye coul1 reach, and his lips murmur.
ed, half audibly-.ln brief space nll
this will be miner'
There was slight rustling of the bed
curtains, and low voice whispercd-.My
soilm
The youth stood beside his father. The
ansanity Of the week past was gone; the
glance OF the eye was steady, though il
was losing its brilliancy, and the voice Was
calm, though weak and tremulous.
"Bernard are you the only watcher at
my bedsidei" he asked.
''i,o you.nccd moro, my f,tl,eri' the
v. ice Of the youn. man trcmblcd as he
i,okc.
-Your half sister Is as much my Child
as are you, Bernard. aud her mosI,pr is
ny wife. They should lave been here
With mc!r said the sick man.
elf you bid me 90 from YOU, NV faith.
err I will obeym and Bernard bowed his
head on the couch, ''but willingly Your son
will never leave you."
"Ah, Bernard, they deserve not the
tnuht,-thcy went not willingly from me-"
The father Was silent for moment, and
then he added, ,-"l,ernard, wl,rn the bod
lily eye Is slinining, the mental vision be-
comes morc acute. Your step-mother
and her child has not received Justice at
my hands. All may have been rs you
said, my son, and yet should not have
driven her from my house. shall not die
in peace unless I look on her again, and
unless / sec you recohciled to her. Let
her be sent foIm
Tho youth rose TO his feet, and moved
away from the bedside. Ills diving father
saw not the change on his fcaturs.,-the
contraction Of the eyebrows, the pallor Of
his cheek, and the firm locking of his
teeth. Lis hand was on the door, but
there il rested, and he glanced stealthily
81 the sick bed. His fathers eyes were
closed, and his breathing was deep; and
she son erept back again TO the open win
dow.
II will not disturb himT" he said to him
self ''it were sin to do 20. An interview
with her now might endanger bis life. A
gentle sleep will give him new strength"
But there was deeper thought passing
through bis mind though he tried TO ban
ish it. "WiIl he livei is that return Of
reason, returning lifei VIII no live to un-
30 what he has donei or Is that deep, dis
turbcd slumber the beginning Of that
which knows no wakingi"
The young man put back from the win.
dow the lighteurtain; the rustic Of its silk-
en- folds seemed like the fisppings of a
aoosened sail, and the whispering of the
soft gentle breeze was changed to loud,
titfuI wailing, and as il swept through tie
srees beneath the window, the leaves struck
aagetaser with bell-like sound. 1t SEEM
ed ~ q the throbbings Of his heart, even,
snight wake the sleeper.
Tbs clock struck twelve, and the diving
snan sgsin called his son. A great
change had passed over his features during
che last half hour.
!. sAs .he noe eomef' he asked. faintly;
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