The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-02-02

not keep pack tnat deep Dlusn, and that
smile Of welcome; and when that tall,
handsome young man took your little
hand in his, you could not help returning
the fond pressure, and your lip would
whisper, though In the faintest tone posi-
ble,-"Dear Henryr'
Mrs. Tracy greeted the young man very
cordially, but he rather avoided meeting
the enquiring glance which she directed
towards him. After few brief words,
in return to the salutation Of the mother,
he took seat by the fire, and leaned his
head thoughtfully on his hand. Marion
took up again the sewing which she had
laid aside for moment, and bent lower
over it than she had done before, perhaps
TO hide the tears which were fast falling
on that now pale cheek; but Mrs. Tracy's
work fell from her hand, and leaning
back in her chair, she fixed her eyes on
the young man. The expression Of her
features was sorrowful, but calm and deter
mined.
"And you have failed, Henry Will
liams!" she said, after few moments sill
ence.
IL have!"
Marion could no longer restrain her
feelings, but sobbed abound.
| II have failed!" repeated the young
man, as he rose from his seat and strobe
up and down the apartment, "and the de-
cIsion Of the umpire was just; the accept
ed painting was far better than my own!"
his voice was almost choked with suppress
d agony.
"And you should not regret it, Henry!"
said Mrs. Tracy, "I am not sorry at your
want of success"
"Should not regret it!' repeated the
young man, as he turned a reproachful
look upon her, should not regret it, when,
if | had succeeded, might in another
week have called Marion my own. DO
you regret having promised me herl"
"Ilenry, you understand me very we'll"
said Mrs. Tracy, mildly; "the work you
undertook to perform was unworthy your
talent-for a Heaven-given talent you
possess-and you felt no interest in the
task beyond the anxiety 10 obtain the
promised reward for the painting. You
despised the faulty model you were to fol-
low, and your feelings were continually ir-
prove on the original. Your i'll success,
instead Of diseouraging you, should incite
you to nober effort"
III you will give me an object to toll
| for" sal the young man, 81 will not be
disheartened. Say that Marion shall be
mine on Christmas eve, and will find
some employment which will bring us
comfortable support. Ii need bc, can
devote all the little energy | possess, to
something beside painting"
"Ah, Henry, that is the very reason
why will not grant your request" said
Mn. Tracy, "but with my cnnsent--and
without it am certain YOU will never try
to persuade her to become yours, since YOU
are sure it is your interest as well as hers
that have in view in desiring to delay
your marriage-Marion shall never help
you to bury the talents you possess, nor TO
degrade them. She is but child yet,
and you, too, are young; when another
year shall have passed, We will talk again
Of this matter"
Another year Of needful preparation
for the duties Of life!" returned Mrs. Tracy.
Marion had risen from her scat when
the conversation turned on herself, and
drawing aside the window curtain, her
grieved and confused countenance looked
into the street. The wind had lulled its
breath, but the night was so intensely cold
there were few pedestrians abroad; there
was one, however, whose appearance was
so singular that Marion, Notwithstanding
the agitation Of her feelings, could not
help observing it. Twice he walked the
length Of the avenue Of which the window
commanded view, moving along at a
rapid rate when the light of the street
lamps fell full upon him, and pausing in
the shadow when no one was near him;
and more than once he emerged from n
dark corner in different dress. Marion
felt certain that the individual who passed
the window in black cloak and broad
brimmed hat, five minutes after hurried
BY in drab-colored wrapper and closely
fitting. cap.
There was another eye on him beside
Marion's, and the secon1 time he passed
by the window policeman seized him by
the shoulder. There was scuffie be-
tween them, and when they had passed
do~a The street, Marien saw something
glittering in the snow beneath the win
dow. A moment after, the young girl
put into her mothers hand an ebony cas-
ket inlaid with pearl and gold, and adorn-
ed with several precious stones. The
spring which fastened the box had been
broken, and when Marion lifted the lid,
such display Of rich and costly orna-
ments was presented to her view, that she
was almost overcome with astonishment;
and even Henry Williams uttered an ex.
clamation Of surprise and admiration.
"Motber, has not Providence sent us
the wealth we so much need!D asked
Marion, halt jestingly, and half in earn.
est. "These ornaments are worth hun
dreds Of dollars, are they not Henryip