The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-15
CHAPTER II

CHAPTER
| FTNiiE sun had just sunk below the ho
mon, leaving the heavens sutfusc,
with pale golden and roseate light
that falls softly through the richly curtain
ed windows Of m elegant mansion il
icari Street. 1t is the private rcsidenc,
"f James Wilson, Esq. one of the mer
chant Princes of the city.
In the irnerrost sanctuary of that hous,
ats Miss Alice Wilson. Ii is n gorgeous
" furnished apartment, drapcd with thin
golden colorcd silk, and the evening light
glowing through it, throws warm, rich
lustrous atmosphere around the form ot
oriental beauty, reclining gracefully on m
ottoman in the recess of n window.
a description Of her face and person,
would scarcely do her justice, rs il never
could convey nm idea Of the surpassino
beauty of the former, or the striking Gle.
gance and admirable proportions Of the LAT.
ter. il is rare type Of beauty, not easy
to r"alize by the immasination, blending
the highest charms Of the intellectual an
sensual, in seeming perfect harmony. A
rlei, r.. dress Of light material, syct rich and
lovely figure. The subject that ;i::i engage: les
her thoughts is evidently one Of vital i'm.
port, to judg" from her excited countcr.
ancr, and the abrupt hcavincs Of her vo-
lnptuous bosom. Her face is slightly turn
ed downwarls, her head supported hv her
left hand, whilst her right is tightly held
by young man o. fashionable exterior.
who .gazes upon her beautiful proportions
with intense deIight--a passionate desire
that betrays itself in every Iincament of
his face. A proi'ision Of smoo;hc, shining
ambcr-hucd ringlets droop around her
graceful Grccian head her eyebrows are
much darker and arc dclicatcly pcnciled !;
her eye lashcs are also dark and shade
large eyes Of The deepest blue her COM
plcxion is very rich, of clear warm
brown, deepening into n crimson ensh up
on cheeks and lips, the bril or and warm
cr now, from the peculiarly Of her present
position. Tho light through the golden
hued drapcry Of the windows ,pours pale
subducd cfiugcancc over tho whole picture.
Alice Wilson's was rich ard highly
gifted nature, hut one that more inan all
others. required in carly youth, he firm
and steady guidance Of the wis" and good.
and that in after life nccds the constant
controlling influence Of q virtuous princi.
pie. She had never known any other
guide than her own good pleasure, having
lost her mother in early infancy, and her
father ever too busy with the cares Of life,
to devote his attention TO her, more than
to see that her every want was supplied
her every wish gratificd. She was the
c"ntrc, the guiding star of the household
All, from her father down TO Luna, her
bower maid, deemed it their best pleasure
to watch, anticipate and prevent her '.ants;
and MS she was pleased to repay such dc.
votion with loving smiles and loving words,
she was pettcd and fawncd upon rs the
most beautiful young Copcndess that ev-
or rslIeathcd claws and teeth in the softest
down. She was no hypocrite, she was
perfectly sincere, but lacked that stability
OF character, that is ever tho attendant oI
q true and yirtuous woman. Her nature
was not originally tickle, but grown vascil.
lating from the unresirained qualification
Of every desire that her too vish ;mmari.
nation might invent no gentic or mater
nal hand to guide and direct through the
proper channel, the many gifts Of nature
by which she was abundantly endowed.
Alice was the betsothed of Horace Ed.
gerton, the young man introduced in n
previous chapter, and in few month.
their nuptials were to have been cclebra.
teG with tho full consent Of her fathe, who
urged no objections against Horace, he be.
ing young man OF moderate fortune, emf
nent talents aud unexceptionahle charac
ter; when she was visited 10y Henry Win,
ters, q distant relation Of her mothers
She had never seen him before. and wheth
or he was induced to claim lis relation
ship at this distant day, by the k,cinatinr
loveliness of tho heiress herself, or whetl
er he was actuatcd by difFerett and les,
creditable motives Is q matter OF, conjec
ture. Ho was q young iian Of strikingly
handsome appearance, aud ho possessed
talent Of no mean order which might have
been an ornament to himself and country
had they beer cultivated in . proper spir
II but early left to his own guidance, hc
indulged in every desire that hi waywasd
and passionate nature might fancy III
would 60 any length 10 crafty his owr
selhsh rurposes, and never very scyuyulou,
as TO the means 10 be used in accomplish.
Ing bis object.