The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-15
Possessing wit and a good fund of o.

raj intelligence, his conversational powc,
were Of the highest order, and Alice bo
been but short time acquainted wit
him, when she found herself costrastin,
his sparkling gaiety aud elegant manner:
with the more gravely spoken aud digni
fled bearing of Horace Edgerton. Iii
relationship gave him Access to Alice n
all hoars; lie had been unremjtting j,
his attentions to her for several week
previous TO the evening we introduce hin
TO the reader, and from the scene presented
in the tableau it would seem that he wish
ed to call her by dcarer title tha,
that Of Cousin. by which he now nd
dressed her; any dear cousin YOU cannot
You must not remain inflexiblc; the faint.
est prospect Of calling you mine, gives tc
my heart felicity no language can ey.
press. / shall in obtaining you, obtain q
treasure that the wealthiest, the rroudcst
and the vainest Of tic sons of men NAV
envy me the possession Of, my heart leaps
Tor JOY Mt the unalloycd happiness that
may bc in store for us, and dear Alice
will You spurn the affection that pleads
Tor you rs if tor life itself; will you-"
"Oh! Henry" interrupted Alice, "spare
me any further importantly on so painful
subject. True, my regard for Won is
more than dare confess TO myself but I
cannot break my vows to Horace Edgcr-
ton, cannot abuse the lcve of so noble n
nature rs his; therefore, beg You to end
TINS useless discussion, when YOU know
that the obstacles that prevent our iiinon
are lnsurmountable, and any further dis
ciission between us would lie foolish and
imprudent in the extreme, except those
obstacles werc removed, but ms that is
amongst the improbabilities of this life.
we must reconcile ourselves to the dcstiny
that separates u.s."
Say not so, my Alice Danish ali un-
easy doubts and scruplcs from your mind,
ncr THINK Of promise that was Given
without due reflection. and shat Hcw
tGs s9Mt sdjpSsEElv vnEvSs: EsTvTSss vow ~ 70 love and
honor Horace Eiger,on when your heart
is dcvotcd!y attached to another, M d
were angels permitted to view the trans
actions of this wor'l, they would smile
with appreciation upon the course that
now propose to you. Your warm, gcner-
cns and impulsivc spirit was never des-
tined to wed with the cold and naughty
nature of Horace Edgcrton. Did he bear
for you half the love that is cherished and
felt by me, he would not thus stand aloof
rs he lately has done, but would daily and
hourly seek your society and drink from
the fountain Of your charms the del;gl t.
ful and intoxicating draughts, that now
thrill through every fibre OF my person."
Alice cast upon him a look of mingled
love and rcproach, MS she replied, "You
do Horace great injustice Henry, when
you speak Of him in such n way. 1t is
only since your arrival in tho CITY, and
unceasing attentions to INC, that he has
been somewhat rcmiss in his visits, and
yon told me yourself that the best under
standing had never existed between YOU
and himself"
1t is true spoke Henry, "tllat our
families have never been on the best of
terms, but that is, or should be forgotten
by us, and indeed when accident has
thrown us together, we have spoken and
even gone so far as TO pass the compli-
mcnts Of the day, and cannot see how
my presence can excuse his continued ab-
scncc. Think you Alice that were your
bctrothed instead Of Edgerton, that the
presence Of any one on earth could make
me rciniss in my attention? No! ii would
be but another incentive for me to guard
with more Jealous devotion the object
Of my unboundcd love; my department
towards you should ever he in keeping
will, that sweet and holy tic that bound
us together. But Alice, if that happy
position is never TO be mine, this must be
our last interview,--it is now that you
must make your final decision, and IL ad-
verse to me I will bid you sorrowful and
final adieu,--i feel that must tear my
self from You now, il would again expect
peace in this lifc,--;n a foreign land will
end my days, and my dear cousin, should
one trouble ever assai your happy cxis-
tcnce--s saogA YOU ever need the soothing
influence OF devoted love. win You think
Of the withered heart that has mourncd
in sorrow ana agony for you, and whose
intensc sdfferings time has novor been able
to effacc. You weer my cousin then
why SO iucxorablel On both knees with
clasped hands, with all the strength that
God has endowed me, / swear to make
you happy IL you will be mine"
"Oh J Henry" answered Alice, /" what
will my father sayl What viii the world
sayi How can Ibear to have that oslious
epithet coquette attached to my name
/ should feel lowered in my own estima-
tion. and world DO wholly unworthy OF
the love that you profess for me, were to
comply with your urgent cntreatics."
Henry saw his advantage and was not
slow in following IL mp. "As Cor your "a.
ther Alice 4 win take It upon myself to
obtain his consent, have no fears upon
that score, and what can the world see IN
yous conduct to condemni WHO would
dare TO imputo improper MOTIVES 70 the
actions Of the wife os Henry Winters -
No one u so deserving as you.- not only
Of my, love and my respects but the love
respect and admiration Of the whole world
| Twill shield you from every bsseca!umny
that tho cnvicus may invent. Twill guide
tss.