The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-02-09

his daughters marriage. There was the
Christmas tree, blazing with light, and
laden with its rich and varied fruits, the
garlands wreathcd about the windows.
and the mirrors in their massive Gilt
frames, the rich exotcs which had been
brought from the greenhouse, every rare
and beautiful ornament, the disposing of
which about the apartment he had HIM
self planned 1t was a hurried glance he
turned on these objects, and then his eye
rested again OH the features of the Young
lady; but he dared not address her. he
dared not attcmp. to approach her, for
fear the illusion might vanish.
1t was not necessary. The fair figure
came trcmblmgly towards him; she Enclt
at his feet; a real, soft warm hand was
resting on his, and sweet voice whispered.
Joy to thee this Christmas night, my
father"
And JOY to thee, too, my chid.' lie
SAID. 81 know not where am, nor whot
am; but may heavens blcssin- be on
thee and thine, rs niue will ever be, my
Marion"
And bless me, too, oh, my father" and
another female, Il pale, delicate woman
whom he had not before observed, spranp
towards him, and entwincd her arms
around him as he rose from his seat. For
give the deception | have practiccd, and
bless your widowed daughter, Marion
Tracy, as You have blcSt her child"
1t was then no illusion. The old man
icIi back almost iantng into his seat, but
the assldutleS OF his daughter soon restored
hnn to consciousness; and when he again
looked about him, he saw more clearly.
lie old home he had been gazing at was
only on canvas. Henry Williams, the
lover Of Marion Tracy, had well pictured
the scene her mother had SO graphically
described to him, and the young lady had
well performed her part in the rcprcscn-
tation. That caskct of jewels had much
aided the deception.
The old home was only on canvas.
The painting was hung OH the wall of the
apartment adjoining his own, into which
he had understood char-woman had
moved, the day previous; and through the
door which had been cautiously opened.
he had obtained full view of it. But
Mr. Trask very quickly understood that
characters ''" "''o '''''
"Let NOT tho scapo anil Loror L. o:,
rs soon as rho pnsit;I, nr III r, r, ne T, s''l,'
ter and her Iorcr was nx,IniSnH M ~ I
"Thc yonng mans n,;v,ir", ho" ,,''i ~ n'''''
the effect you bopcd II wonId occnWmi;Si, UJi;SJi, i.
perform the prmise Won made L;m,,, 10
added, addressing Mrs. Tracy "Tt ;s =
miserable place for a weddinG. lint = weJ
ding, for "A fairer and weaItIi,r Lr;d. !
not given away in the citv to.n;oLt fnr
the Jewels which adorn her rorson oro aII
her own"
Marion and Williams coulJ borJI,,
credit the evidence of their senses far y,
her circumstances in life before hcr nor.
riagc, and of the existence Of bcr f,tLor
Mrs. Tracy had never spoken. even 70 her
daughter.
The marr;,oa ccrouo,,, ,vos ,orc,r,l
and the cercymay retired. Mr., Tr,st
wished that lis prand-douobtcr and her
husband should leave him. but tho vouna
people were too happy to see wbcrcfore.
and they would not aecede to his wish.
Even with the addition Of the articles
Mrs Tracy had brought there. it was q
most wrctched place; yet perhaps in all
the city, there were no happier hearts
than were throLbing in that garret that
fair Christmas night; though tic smiles of
some Were. before MANY hours had nossoJ
exchanged for tears. One would have
thought, could the expression of the old
mans features, as he lay on his couch with
his hand claspcd in that of his daughter,
have been contrastcd with that il had
was the hapPicst OF the little company;
thu ugh he spoke but few words, for his
voice was brcomino f,;ntor ouI fo;,,,ar