The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-11-09

dents OF earlier date were rapidly nara.
ted. 1t is trtie chat the ladies had form.
ed IN girlhood only one of those casual
'htlmac'es that are not based on any real
affinity, but this chance meeting awaken
cd slnmbering memories which i was mu-
tunlly agreeable to recount.
After brisk dialogue of half an hour.
Mrs. Martyr remarked, 81 met very
pretty girl at your door, whose features
struck me as familiar. Does she belong
to your family n o
Bless you, no! wish she did. That
is Fanny WilIuot, and the handsomest
girl in Rutland. 1t is hardly fair to call
her girl either, for she is thirty wears
old, and you wouldn't think she was eigh-
teeu."
~ our young uen must be deficient in
taste, If they allow such flower as that
to remain ungathered."
mo indeed, ms'am Fanny has had
more offers than she would like to ac-
knowledge, hut she is wise enough to keen
her liberty"
"But don't you think even she would
be happier if sho were suitably mar
ried !"
"No, ma'am, don't. l wish you could
see her sister that is married. She is
Mrs. James Martyn, Of Grecnville, about
fifteen miles from here. She is three
years younger than Fanny. and she look.
ten years older. A poor, wan. faded
thing sort Of scarecr"w upon the field
Of matrmony. Fanny understands her
self better than that. You won't catch
her throwing away her Independence
Shell hc young enough to marry when
she Is fifty, if she thinks it worth while to
do So"
"Do you know this Mrs. Martyn of
whom ycu speak,"
Il guess | do. She wa. here few
weeks ago. She has changed wonderful
ly within the last five wears. She usel
to be as fresh rs a rose not so lively a.
r my, bat the most quiet little p lss.-
We AL Lowell her dearly. And then she
went away I" school and found this Young
Martyr. | hops he's no conucxion Of
yours, mA'am--and he has Just let her
pine TO n shadow. because he thinks. as
he says, that women ought to have Grit
enough to take care of themselves"
SOME domestic duties here called the
ghrr''I"us matron away, leaving her guest
very painfully occupied by this confrma-
ton OF the fears she had felt for the wei
fare of her son and his delicate bride.
Wrh the first CLEAN Of early daylight
Mrs. NJ. entered the stage-coach that was
to convey her from Rutland to Grcenville.
and it was hardly seven o'clock when she
found herself at the gate of her former
residence.
The breath Of the July morning was
mild and genial, and yet the good lady
felt n chill creeping over her system as
she stcrpc'l within the enclosure. The
gate was hsf unhingcd. The path to the
doorway WAS covered with grass the
bell made no responses to her most vigor-
Gus efforts. At length, lifting the latch.
she entered the well-known hall. and
made her way to the dining.room, where
= slp.shod maid was about arrangeing the
breakfast. ..-
"Mrs. Martyr will he down soon" said
the girl; and she rang cracked bell with
mercile>s vehemenee. ... ...f.
In about ten minutes heavy step wa.
heard on the stairs, and James himself,
with hair unprofaned by brush or comb,
was the first to enter the apartment
His warm and cordial greeting, full Of
surprise and pleasure, was scarcely over,
when languid figure, in loose dressing
gown, appeared at tho door, and kindled
into sudden animation at the brief state
ment--
"Eliza, here is mother |"
The pale thin lips looked positively
beautiful As they pressed the matron's ripe
good-humored cheek. -......-. -
A cheerful breakfast followed, in spite
OF the forbidding circums .ances that had
preceded il; and during the whole Of
that pl 'asant day. Mrs. Ms. very consid-
cradle social powers kept those of her son
aud daughter in delightful activity. Once
only, and then by accident, did she strike
chord that vibrsted unpleasantlv. At
tea she remarked 10 her sou, "Tlese straw
berries are delicious. lam glad to see,
James, that YOU are such asuccessfuI gar.
dcner."
James colored slightly as he replied,
"Our own strawberries have run out, but
a Deighbsr, knowing Of your arrival, has
had the kindness TO send US supply"
There was smile upon Mrs. Martyn's
healthfni lip, as she bade her children
goodnight; but she closed her door; threw
herself in an easy chair. and sank into a
depth ofyery grave reflections.
HAii is wrong" said she at last, as she
rose to retire. "Not fatally wrong, trust,
but we shall sec"
During the whole Of the rext day she
was qriet observer Of events. Lenient
and asniabls, she only appeared 70 floa,
upon the tide Of joyous s.nd hospi,aLls
feeling that her presence bad called forth
yet she took silent note Of al i,s eddie,
and shsI!ows, and sks,ched slistinc,
chart fort the guidanee oi her fstur,
course. - ,l...r
On The the third moraing, AZ breakfs.,
ths coffee was turbid, and the toas, bugnl
70 . cinder. James said q few cuttise
words to his wife, who leA the room i