The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-10-05
"ls Mrs. Walton's name Lucy 2" asked

'o" 'en desperately III loVe with Lucy,
and enjoyed most delicious week, rid
ing, walking and boating in her company.
Alter that time my happiness was much
disturbed by the occasional calls Of n Young
gentleman, whom | suspected of being a
lover, and alas ! favored one, of Miss
Somers. Of course | took an immense
dislike to him, was forever trying TO ridi-
cuIe him, and then, by losing my temper
making myself ridiculous. He was
good-looking, light-hearted, country. bred
fellow, holding all cockneys in utter con-
tempt. lie made fun of my awkward at
t"mptS at agility, and was hugely delight
ed one day when refused a fence which
he cleared in style.
One morning he had not made his an
pearance: Lucy had been very amiabie,
and very happy, when, about noon, as
we were leaning on the little gate leading
from the garden, idly amusing ourselves
with exploding the swollen seed-vessels of
the bladder SIENNA, | suddenly remember
ed that | had never explored the magnifi-
cent ruins which saw crowning gentle
hill about mile distant.
"fou promised to go with me, Miss
Somers," | sail "wiIl you walk there this
eveningr
She hesitated, and then raid:
u think not; am rather afraid of the
damp in the long grass"
She afraid Of the damp, that would
have forled stream to get any thing she
wished! No, she was expecting her lover
l felt sure; aud, icing much irritated,
made several rude speeches about Young
ladies fickleness, and so on. NV suspi-
clons proved well-founded the expected
gentleman came dashing up. soon after.
IN beautiful new pIIaeton, and invited
Lucy to take drive with him To-.
~ saw Lucy's eyes sparkle with delight
while, on tho contrary, an additional
gloom orerspread my countenance, as |
contemplated internally tho probability Of
spending the afternoon and evening alone.
l believe the kind-hearted girl was sorry
for me, for, just as she was leaving, she
turned back to say
Il am really sorry | cannot walk with
you to the ruins, Mr.. Walton but rs
to sec them Alright
You should visit them by the pale moon.
light,
and the moon rises very early this even
ing, suppose YOU visit them po.tically-
alone. You may easily be back 10y elev-
en-"
"And do you think" said her lover
laughing, ''that Mr.. Walton dare visi,
them alone by moonlight I"
pnnrnnn coil \ a..
moie on tile mind than the body; your
great muscular fellow is often lrcmend
GUS coward"
The gentleman favored me with fierce
stare, as It tos Y, "Whnt do YOU mean
by that 7" bui LLcy, taking his arm, led him
away, leaving me 10y no means the hap
plest OF mortals.
will not say how spent that after
noon, or what bitter cud OF reflection
che~ed; it is sufficient to stste that, by
tile time the moon rose, WAS thoroughly
tired OF my own company, and drtermn =
eel to set out for the ruins, which might
furnish change of sensation, at any
rate.
AZ ! passed through the little hamlet,
ITS lnhabiiants were already at rest, and
the only lights that appeared twinkled
from upper windows Perfect stiffness
reigncd around, except that two dogs in
distant farmliouses were alternatel, bay
ing the moon and barking at each other.
As emerged from deep lane aud as
ccnded the grassy hill, the moon was ri
ding high in the heavens, and the ruin
stool out well-defincd against the sky
IL was most picturesque, and far more
entire than had anticipated. Long strea-
mers Of ivy trembled in the night breeze,
and | gazed OF it as the personifca,ion
OF venerable old age patiently awaiting its
time.
But will not stay to describe nv sen.
sauons, though l assure you they were
particularly fine and poetical / will only
remark that ] wandered for some minutes
through the ruins, admiring the good ef.
feet Of the windows, each OF which formed
dark frame 70 The bright picture beyond;
sometimes, indeed, grotesque shadows of
projecting stones made me start, but
quickly recovered myself, and smiled to
think how little was prone TO supcrstious
feelings. At length reached a winding
staircase, dilapidated, indeed, but Of easy
ascent; care Of course was necessary, as,
excep: where the moonlight streamed
through the narrow, loop.hole windows, il
was perfectly dark.
had ascended about halfway, when
sound, resembling groan, met my ear.
AZ once my boasted courage was gone,
the blood ran back to my heart, and the
cold fingers Of fear wiped out every pleas.
ant fancy. Iwas near one Of the loop
hc'es' and looking through Il. the sight Of
the calm scene sleeping in moonlight AN.
peared TO reassure me. aPesbanI ~
thonght l. &c vas the creahine Of soms
old ivy stem against the rough stone.
work. The thought gave me courage:
aud | continued tie ASCENT when hark |
again that sound ! Nov unmis,akabIy q
human groan camc heavily ON the stiff