The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-04-06

and kissed her tenderly, vanished. Grace
blushcd as she felt the purse, but smiling,
put it in her pocket, and began ratracinr
her steps home ward. As she WIS walking
down the street leading to her lodgings,
she met Frederick Gray, who bowed, She
thought gravely, and passed on; and she
walked on and entered her uuct little
house with a strange feeling OF pain she
could not annlyze. She Gid not know
whence it came, but she longcd to weep.
But as she entered the house, her landIa-
dy met her and told her tea WAS waiting
(shc always took her meals with hcrO-
The feeling must be Ike back now. ami
50 she went slowly up stairs and took off
her things, smoothed her hair, and appear
ed at tea with no sign of emotion on her
face.
She was just settling herself one murn
ing to sew quietly, and irving to think Of
pleasant things, for she was very lonely
and sad, when she heard Mrs. Daniel open
the door and come in. She did not turn
her head, for Mrs. Daniel WAS ACCUSTOMED
to drop in, to put things to rights. and
have ltuc chat. She knew Mr.. Dam
iel was by her side, and she started A.
she laid in her lap Il superb bunch ot hot
house flowers.
40, where did you get them !" she ask
ed, Selling them and smelling them.
"A young gentleman with dark hair
and eyes left them, while YOU were out"
she answered; and said, "Givc these to
Miss MarIand, and tell her they are from
one whose respect for her no circumstances
can change"
There was quick smile, and she en-
claimed, "lIow kind y for she rcmcml.cr-
ed having heard Frederick Gray say those
very words to her a few evening, before
her change of fortune.
They must be put in water" sad
Grace. 81 must have vase or dish for
them. Can you lendple one, Mrs. Dan
iel ." esss-->
How cheerful seemed her ta>t. now
with those bright, pure flowers by her,
filling her room with their delicious fra
GRANGE. That day seemed very harpv.
She caught herself thinking, wondering. il
1t were really Frederick Gray who left
them. Yes, 1t must have been. Some.
body was kind, she thought, more and
more; for there came every day II delicious
boquet, every day different. There never
came any name with them, and there never
was need, for she felt she knew who it
was that sent them.
She was very much surprised, when one
morning, at the usual tir for the flow
ers TO appear. there was knock, and be-
ing told to come in, there entered, not
Mrs. Daniel, but Frederick Gray. lie had
in his hand the bunch of flowers and
there was in his eye an expression So kind,
earnest and grave, that Grace felt all the
embarrassment which at the first glance
she felt, pass away; and, rising gracefully,
she extended her hand, and said, with
her bewitchingIy sad and gentle smile:
81 am very glad to see you, although
in so very different place from what
have been accustomed to meet you in."
Are you different? y he asked.
"Me different 7" Ono! hope and be-
lieve that ! am not"
Then | am happy" He paused, as if
in thought, and then added, seriously.
There arc some dispositions that change
of fortune sours, and was told by some
body that it had so changed you, that,
although poor, and working for your dai-
ly bread, you were arrogant and exact
ing. That is the reason why | have not
been sooner"
90, who could have told you so?"
"Mrs. Crayton; and she was friend
of yours, and said she wished to continue
so, but you were 50 naughty she gave up
all hopes Of doing So
"Gave up all hopes Of doing so! en-
claimed Grace, her pale face blushing, and
her dark eyes blazing. "Yes, well she
might, for did not choose to do some
work for her, which, as she said, she had
already cut and basted, that might make
no mistake, and which she gave to me
not because she needed it, but merely for
charity's sake.--You do not think me
naughty or arrogant for doing so 7" she
said, turning to her companion with her
gentle, earnest look.
"No. Ibid not think there was so much
in the world"
"Don't think | am unhappy here; for |
81" "Ob' '"'S
proved true, fast friends in my trouble,
and the love Of those compensated me for
the loss Of everything"
Miss Marland, Grace, why did you re-
fuse to come TO mothcr'si she would have
guarded you from all these insults. She
would have loved you as her own daugh
ter. Will you come nowi I do not ask
you to come as an adopted daughter, but
as my wife. o Grace dear Grace" and
he seized her hand, and drawing her to-
wards him, he looked earnestly, pleading.
ly into her face.
She raised her dark eyes, and looking
at him calmly, said, "M' Gray, reflect
upon what you have said. | am only
serving girl no riches, no nothing. What
will the world say when it Is announced
Mr.. Frederick Gray to Miss MarIand,
She dropped her eyes for
second, and then without giving him time
to anwer, said, sadly, "No, am not so
selfish as to let YOU suffer all that. You