The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-22
[cosrISuED]
CHAPTER W.

ChAI LEN Nv.
SSSpFHEN Henry. Winters left the resi-
wv dence Of Mr.. Wilson, he repaired
SS to his rooms in the - Hotel,
where he found awaiting him his partcu-
lar associate whom we will call James
Gordon. This young man presented no
thing striking in his appearance; his fea-
lures had once been handsome, but now
assumed that premature decay that ever
attends the devotee Of pleasure and unbi-
assed sensibility. II was evident that he
was getting impatient, by his manner OF
greeting Winters as he entered the room.
~Why Henry, where in the duece have
you beeni Here have been waiting
for the last hour, completely bored by my
own dull thoughts I"
II have been," replied Henry, "particu-
larly engaged this evening, and thanks to
my lucky destiny, have accomplished more
within the last few hours than many 9TH
eS have could achieved in as many
months
II am glad TO hear of your good for.
tune, but please explain yourself more full
lyp
"You are acquainted with the object Of
my visit to L.; know then that my
indefatigablc efforts have been crowned
with success. Alice Wilson is mine ire
yocably."
"Indeed and she has come over at
last ! accept my hearty congratulations,
but il seems to me that you have over
looked an important difficulty. A man
Of Mr.. Wilson's principles will never sane.
ton the course you have been urging his
daughter to pursue"
Winters smiled strangely, as he replied,
"ah, my friend, the principles Of these lat
ter days ever give place to the omnipotent
power Of gold. Ihave won her from her
self, and from her father, have bought
her,"
Bought heri'
"Aye, bought her, and tomorrow am
to pay for hei."
"May ask the price you are to give
for this magnificent jewell"
"one hundred thousand dollars :"
Ala, ha, ha; that is a good one, but
you certainly are jestihg I"
"Never more earnest in my life (; that
sum is TO be placed in his mercantile es-
tablishment and suppose that will be
honored rs partner in the concern"
"Ah, that explains the mystery, he has
heard Of your wild habits, and only wishes
to see you engaged in business"
ale would have me believe as you say,
but can see a little further than he has
given me credit for; he requires that sum
to save him from failing"
"You must be mistaken; his is regard
cd one Of the safest houses in the city,"
Nevertheless, am fully convinced Of
the contrary"
Sand yet you stood his proposition I"
Certainly; would have given that
for the girl"
"A pretty round sum to pay for wife.
But what Is that you have dropped on the
floor I" and GoEdon pointed TO little note
that was lying at Heury's feet
"Ah, I must be more careful Of this"
said the latter picking il up. "It has cost
me more honied words than / have
found necessary to use for considerable
time, and yet it was cheapiy purchased,
for l would not exchange il for all the
wealth Of Ophir," and Winters smiled with
malignant satisfaction.
"You are decidedly enigmatical in your
conversation this evening"" replied Cor.
don, "why Is this little note Of such extra
ordinary valnei"
"Because Il Is destined for one Of my
frisads look at the superscrption."
sHorace Rdgerton the deuce and from
Aboei But Why Is it in your possession n
II took II 70 be more certain that he
would receive II. I was afraid at the
time, that there might be = possibility Of
her retracting"
"You have indeed let nothing undone
your success Is certain, but Henry do you
love her r.
Tove her I! oh yes" and Henry pro-
nouuced the words In precisely the same
tone that another would have said oh
no."
@Tell mo Henry Why is & that you
ssem 70 entertain such unconquerable ha-
tired fcr Edgsrtoni" asked Gordon, after
pause.
Il can scarcely give you satisfactory
answer Our and.fathers were political
oppcnents. their animosity was Of the mos,
bitter chavactev, and the dying iniunctions
u my own father, were, that should ever
regard one Of tisat name A. my enemy
We had many squabbles in our yoath