The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-12-21

h'"HE, I'tupIetcu. Dut Sne could not re-
tire to ssnmhrr even then. How strange
1t was that the young naval officer, his
words and glance, were continually recur-
ring to her mind. And why was it al.
ways associated with some dim old re-
membrance, some half forgotten dream it
seemed hkc-no, not dream, bat real
lty, though of bygone years. Long, long
ago, whcG she was a mere child, there
was dark eyed boy, q few years her
senior, who was her schoofeIlow and
playmate one summer that she passed
with an aunt in secluded country village
How often had he assisted her in her
tasks at school, Coming them over with
her as they rambIed through the green
lanes and fields, and then in her class his
ready prompting had often saved her
from disgrace. She remembered it well
now and even recalled the tender care
With Which he used TO lift her over the
rough walls and wet meadow bitches and
his pains in securing the brightest flowers
anil richest fruit for her basket Then She
recolIect"d how She used to weep when
he told her of his father who had been
iIIled in battle, and that his mothef had
died of grief, and she would pity him
so because he was an orphan, and prom
'Se h'm that II he would only not 90 to
sea As he said ne shoald, she wouiJ be
his sister and always love him. And that
boys name was Icnry-IIenry Hmter.
And then she opened little box talled
with kecpsakes and cherished memeatoes
and took from thence a little locket at
tached TO small cord.
There were two locks of hair cntwined
therein. a curl of her own bright chcsnut
and u braid Of darker hue, while beneath
were the initials, III. Ii. to F. f., It was
his parting gift, and through many years
she had cherished it. She remembered
to have given him one similar, snd she
wondered if he had kept that. She pres
sed the little c"sket to her lips, and bright
tears fell on it, then tsinking upon her
knees she prayed long and earnestly for
strength to sitlc those wild dreaminps
and continue on her appointed way cor-
tent. AS she arose from her knees she was
startled by heavy fail in the adjoining
room, and rushing hastily in, asdreadful
sight met her gaze. On the floor lay her
mother, her face colorless as marble, while
the crImso n blood was gushing from her
lips. She had evidently rupturcd blood
vessel. Fanny was CIR! Of strong nerve
and active energy; to alarm the other oc-
cnpants Of the room and with their. as.
sistance raise Mrs. Erlwood, and then de-
spatch a messenger for physician, was
her first care. Restoratives were employed
and by the tim" otIDr. Sanderson's arrival
Mrs. Eri"ood "as restored to consciousness,
but his first glance caused poor Fanny's
heart to sink within her. He, however,
spoke cheeringly to the invalid, enjoined
the utmost quiet and lef. few simple
medicines. Fanny followed him to the
door.
Tell me the worst she excia med. 4
can bear it,
Your mother is in very dangerous
situation. The least excitement will prove
tai, but by the good care you know so
well how to render, we may trust for the
best result
Then you think there is some hope
said Fanny. eagerly.
While there is life there's hope, but
everything depends on quiet.
III send Mrs. Sanderson round to see you
to-morrw, and will call myself very early,
but If there's the least unfavorable symp.
tom send for me Immediately, for only
frail thread binds her here.
This was said with tear, for the DIR.
was a kind hearted man, and deeply com
miserated Fanny. He knew her little his
tory, and. felt deep interest for her. The
next forenoon, on her return from an err
rand, the woman who had been sitting
with Mrs. Erlwood, informed her that Mr..
Hunter, the owner of the tenement she oc-
cupied, had called. It wa quarter-day
that Fanny well knew, and il had
troubled her sadly the day previous, for
owing to the neglect Of some of her en-
ployerS, she had been unable to make up
the required sum. Mr. Huuter, she bad
heard, was a hard landlord, aud she had
always trembled at the thought Of being
deficient; but now, what was 70 be donei
Not half the desired sum wasin the house
aaF tbather mother needed.
With painfully beating heart, and lit
tie wounded prid.s.,vhich she earnestly
TO put by, Fanny seated herself to
address anOtO teMr. Hunter. Hsr An-