The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-03-23
CHAPTER w.
Soon, fair bride,
Will thy bright dream be over

ot stately mansoin in st. Marks Place |
Floods of delicious harmony swept through |
tho vast saloons, filed with the Young
and beautiful. 1t was the bridal night of
Marie Fitzhcrbert, and already was the
sweet girl arraycd i'll the spotlcss robe of
snowy satin, and her long veil, fastened |
with Il simple wreath of orange blossoms,
tioatcd like dcwy mist around her. She |
sat in little balcony that overlooked the |
spacious gardens, and by her side was
Eugene Harrington, awaiting the hour
that should unite them in the hoIicst of
ties. Smiles wreathed her beautiful lips
as she looked into that noble face, and
her gIovcd hand gently gave back the
assuring pressure it received, Yes
Eugene Harrington had learned to love
the fair young being at his side, and now
it WAS no selfish love. A change had
come over that spirit, naturally noble,
and all that was good and manly in his
disposition, shone forth with renewed
luStrc.
From the day that Marie Fiuzherbcrt
hovered upon the verge Of the spirit
Iand-whcn he gazcd upon that marble
face AMI closed eycS--he was a different
man; and when the first vows of peni-
tencc and forgiveness were passed, deep
and holy love seemed to take possession
of his heart, purifying it, and dispensing
those evil passions that had hitherto
| prcdominated.
Long had they sat upon the star-lit bal
cony, and more holy VOWS were given
and received, of unendng love and con-
stancy. But now light footsteps were
heard approaching, and a fairy child, of
scarce ten summers, bounded into their
presence, her soft eyes radiant, and her
golden hair falling in shining masses
upon her shoulders.
See. sister, seen she cried, holding up
a magnificent bunch of flowers, what I
have brought YOU
Where did you get them, Florence dar-
lingF said Marie Fitzherber, as she took
them from the hands of the child.
oh, a beautiful lady gave them to me,
with such large black eyes, and dark hair;
but she was so pale, and she said bring
them to you, and be very careful and not
spoil them
1T must have been Julie Elton, by
FlOrcncc's description said the fair girl
to her lover; she arranges flowers most
beautifully and this is certainly exquisite
Look, Eugene-this white rose, surround
ed by japonicas and camelis-how beauti-
full
Eugene Harrington took the flowers
from her hand, and holding them to his
lips, hreathed in their delicious perfume.
They are very fragrant he replied,
and again he inhaled their perfume.
But suddenly they dropped from his
hand, and he trembed violently.
Eugene" cried the fair girl, leaning
upon his arm; but she received no answer.
Dear Eugene, she repeated, are you
illP
But he replied not His head rested
against marble pillar, and as the highs
breezes lifted his thick hair from of hit
brow, she saw by the light of the pale
moon that his eyes were closed; she press
ed her hand upon his brow-it was cold
as death, and the throbbing of his heart
was still. A piercing scream broke upon
the night air, so loud and long that the
cheeks Of many one in that gay as
semblage blanched. A wild, mocking
laugh was heard, and a white form
glided from the thick shrubbery that
surrounded the balcony. A few moments
more, and the form of Eugene Harrington
was found, cold and lifeless, but his arm
even in death, encircled the form Of his
bride, who lay pale and senseless upon
his bosom. At their feet Law bunch Of
crushed flowers, the snowy petals of which
had assumed dark purpleish tinge, and
the air was filled with an odor as al
monds.
They removed: the iuanimate form ofthe
beautiful girl, and in her bridal robes, laid
her upon the same couch where a few
months previous she had laid as cold and
scnseless as now. A raging fever was in
her brain, and again that pure spirit hov-
cred betwixt heaven and earth.
+
Three years have flown. In the deep
bay window of noble mansion are two
persons. In the tall, noble figure of the
gentleman wo recognize Harley Wharton.
There is the light of subdued JOY in his
eye, as he gazes fondly upon the slight
form beside him. We have before seen
those curls of golden hair, and those deep
blue eyes, and in the gentle wife Of Harley
Wharton, we beholdthe beautiful Marie
Fitzherbert. Time has softened the poig.
nancy Of her grief, and as she meets the
love-look of those dark eyes, she feels thai
she is loved deeply and truly, and though
she may notsfeel that passionate love thai
filed her heart three years before, yet she
is happy, calmly and serenely happy
There are lines Of deep suffering upon her
white brow, but the devoted love Of him
! who had worshippcd her from childhood,
! had alieviated the misery Of an almost
: broken heart.
! The Italian prirna donna sailed iuiine'
] diately for Italy upon the announcement
Of the death Of Eugene Harrington. Al