The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-09-14
5elRttr1 Galrg,
BY ANNIE.
CHAPTER I,

LADY, please buy my flowers" said q
pale and delicate child, who had number.
Cd scarce ten summers; and the large
blue eyes of the speaker were raised be-
seechingly to the face Of the person ad-
dressed.
Casting scornful glance upon the
trembling form beside her, and drawing
her silken robes more closely around her
Iueen-like figure, the proud and naughty
Ein''y Warner passed on.
IL was singular boquet which the
c!'lld l.clt, composed of the sweet little
daRy, and brgct-me-not, culled from the
fi,sh green fields, and from beside the
So rk:ing rills, and laden with the tear
drops OF nature. She had been out at
e1ry dawn to gather them, in hopes to
gain scanty pittance.
AS the lady turned thus scornfully away
big tears suffused the eyes, and rolled
down the cheeks Of the child. Claspinp
her tiny hands, she murmured, any poor
dear mother" and was about to proceed
on her way, when she encountered the
earnest gaze of gentleman, who stood
but tn short distance from her. The strang-
er instantly approached, and taking her
hand atfectionately within his own, softly
whispered
"Don't cry, little one, I'll buy your flow
ers."
The kind tones Of the speaker instantly
dispersed her sadness, and with bright
smile she gazed into his face.
"Tell me, is your mother sick Z" he con-
IN ha had orl
which escaped her lips.
"Oh, yes sir, size is very sick, and we
have nothing to eat" continued the child.
"Ana will you not take me home with
you to see her perhaps | may do some
thing to relieve her ; and as he spoke. he
gently pressed the tiny hand within his
own.
The large eyes Of his companion spark
led with delight; and clinging still closer
to his side, they proceeded quickly along.
Through many dark and dreary lane
they passed, till at length they paused be-
fore an old, dilapidated building, fast fall
ing TO decay. Pushing open the door, the
child sprang quickly up the stairs, and af.
ter Pausing to ascertain il her companion
was still beside her, softly entered room
The apartment in which they now
found themselves was entirely destitute of
furniture, save that in one corner was
low cot, upon which reclined the emacia-
ted form OF the mother. Springing lightly
forward, and kneeIing beside her, the child
pressed ber lips upon her cold form. Sud-
denly she started, and wildly shrieking:
"Mother, dear mo.her, speak to me r.
che threw herself franticaily upon the life
less form before her. The stranger who
had accompanied her now approached,
and gazed in silent awe upon the marble
features Of the dead. The countenance
was still beautiful; for although care and
sorrow had engrayen their deep furrows
upon u heavenly, angelic sweetness
rested there.
Earnestly he strove with kind and ten
der expressions, TO soothe the wild grief Of
the child. Bor long time his efforts
were unayailing, as she frantically clunp
70 the cold form Of her mother, beseeching
her to speak once more. At last however.
the overwhelming grief sudsided, and twin.
ing her arms around the neck of her mo-
theF, and pressing her lirs Tor the last
time upon the marble forehead, she re-
lnctantly consented 70 accompany him
Calling neighbor to watch beside the
dead, the noble-hearted Arthur Leytou
led the little Alice Prescott to his own
stately BONE.