The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-11-16

S''"eSN wal ruptuTcs anu lat-
terry he had found y new attraction in
that pretty drawing room; very sweet
girl, just one of those Madonna-iike no.
bodies so captivating to clever men, be.
cause they view them through their
fancy rather than their judgement, and,
charmed by their listening, inwardly.
yawning silence, set down heir stupidity
II" sweet, timid simplicity. Just such
an insane deceiver often sat by Miss
Eliza beth's side; and Darnlcy, at first
merely an srtistical admirer Of her ingen-
uous Hebeish face, WAS beginning to take
warmer interest in her, purely form
want Of another subject. lie yearned
for wife.
All this was torture to Henrietta; she
had learned to love him, not from romance
hut from conviction. She had Welded to
The ieeling, tancying rselfsecure in his
Affection; aud now she WIS forsaken. OH
misery, misery! How had she lost hi,na
Tho fault must be hers; he was 80 good.
80 gifted! Had she been premature in her
encouragement! He was almost fastiJ-
lnus in his opinions on feminine deIicacy.
She wrlthed AZ the thought. Aud for
whom was she discarded! She knew the
emptiness Of her iival-tllat, the first
illusion over, she could not make Artbur
happy, even did she accept him. That
too, was doubtful; the girl loved admira-
tion--it was the love, not the love ,he
liked. At last she might very possibly
reject him. In any case all WA lost.
Still he lowered round Lucy: and
Henrietts--that noble, gifted creature
tel; herself despised, and was broken.
hearted. She had not even the consola-
ton OF sacrificing herself she WAS offered
up before false deity. 1t was madness:
her heath gave way; she became dangr-
''usy III; her days seemed numbered.
Mary had remained in her service; and
had long been an observant though
,licnL spectator "f all that was passinp
P'sse e,sing the clue,to her MISTRESS .cret
now bitterly repentcd her own part in the
drama. Long and anxiously she ponder
ed over it. She knew, and, servant rs
she was, could understand Hcnrietta's
wounded pride, her shrinking reserve; and
now her life was Mt stake. 1t was use
'eSs to speak TO Miss Elizabeth; her actions
would be cramped by etiquette--she
would be worse than Inefficient aid
on Mary the whole duty of explanation
devoIved, and cost what, it would, even
though her place, sho would perforn, il.
She was strengthened in her resolve Ly
LUG. = conduct. the latter, like all girls
of h,r caliber, required contidante. and.
"avng found one IN Mary could not re.
train from boasting Of DArnleya attach
ment and her own disregard Of it. 1t
was fine fun to her to parade his atten
ons, to show III the famous artist in her
train; and the true-hearted girl burned
with indignation At the conquetry which
sportcd with the mans peace, aud Hen.
rletta's happiness.
Trembling, but firm, she went to Darn
loys lodgings, and requested to see him.
"How is Miss Chsrlton Z" WAS Lis
natural and first question.
dying, sir" she answered, bursting
into tears. "Dyingi ImpoSsible!'
Indeed, sir, she is; and fear il is all
my fault. Oil sir, il you would but adj
vie me; don't know what to do, and /
dare not speak to Miss Elizabeth; so |
made bold TO slip over to you, sir--Miss
Lucy is so taken up with her beau"
Her beau" -
oh! dear. YEA, cir; she's been engaged
ever no long on the sly to very Young
gentleman; but dear me, oughtn't TO
have mentioned it only forget il, think.
my Of my dear mistress"
"But what can do, Maryi"
Il don't know, sir; but perhaps you
could tell me what should do" 5
avery lew words, and with marvel
Gus instructive propricty Of feeling, she
related the history OF the broken cup.
and her own artifice, allowing Inn TO infer
rather than informing him, OF lIcnrietta's
mistake. efE
"fou see, sir, it vas very well spoken
letter; fo. the foolish young fellow who
wrote it---young Duncombe, sir; l found
that out aherwards--is quite gentleman
hes going to be doctor"
This was rather gratifying to Arthur,
at ell events, an illiterste persons letter
had not been fastened on him.
"And so, sir, when Miss Elizabeth saw
as you was an. artist, she spoke TO Mr..
---;f for I was waiting at table: she
knew nothing Of all this, and my Mis-
tress said very little, but coaid SO how
she had brought it about, and that's the
way she always docs god. And, then,
sr, when yon was bro d Tree her 10 K
up 90 your window and writa---wr;te an