The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-04-06
So PER ANNUM.

leo, and my arms minus these gems, then
shall see who are friends and who are
not" and bowing with mock dignity, tn
the mirror, as she caught reflection Of
herself in it, she exclaimed GOOD night,
Miss Gray, heiress, for tomorrow you will
be only Miss Gray, the dress.maker, or
seamstress."
Two days after the ball, the beautiful
house is for sale The house is thrown
open and the rooms are thronged, not as
two days before, with beauty and fashion,
to dance and enjoy themselves at a ball,
but mostly from curiosity to see the whole
house. To most of the people the draw
ing-rooms were familiar, and they desired
to see if the house was IS elegantly and
tastefully furnished throughout. Stand
ing in recess, partly furnished by cur
tains was Grace, looking very pale-not
rendered so by loss of riches, but by the
dread of losing friends. She was dressed
plainly, almost meanly; and rs she stood
there so very pale, with her small white
hands clasped tightly together, her lips
slightly compressed, and her eyes half clo-
sed, as if to shut out the misery Of her
feelings, few would have recognised the
courted heiress and belle of few evenings
ago; or recognizing, could help plying
her sad fate. Numerous groups Of people
were standing about; some examining the
rich furniture and costly decorations, and
others speaking unhesitatingly of her past
conduct, and wondering what she would
do now.
Mrs. Willis and her daughters sailed
by her in all the majesty of velvets and
brocades, not deign,ng to notice her, ex-
cept by bold stare and i'll repressed
laugh. They had fawned upon her, had
flattered her, called her their dear Miss
Marland, visited her, ridden in her carriage
and now-passed her coldly by with only
an insulting stare. Florence Hyman pass
ed her by with cold, though perfectly
polite bow, and instantly began admiring
an exquisite vase Of porcelain which stood
on little inlaid table, both Of which she
declared aloud she must have. Poor
Grace, overwhelmed, shrunk farther back
into the recess, and allowed the superb
damask curtains to fall so as almost Who'll
ly to conceal her.
"O," she exclaimed, al have hoped,
even at this late hour, friends might be
found who would save my home from
this dreaded disgrace; the disgrace of be-
ing bought piecemeal."
"And there has been somebody found
who will buy it." said Mr.. Gray, stepping
to her side, for she had spoken aloud
without being aware cf it. "A strange
gentleman has taken the whole house.
just rs it is, although he does not in
tend occupying it at present" He stop
ped, seeing her grow very pale, and fol-
lowing the direction Of her eye, was in
time TO see young man, whom he had
often seen as visitor there, cody lift his
eye-glass, and stare at her, and turn away.
And turning to Grace, Mr.. Gray said, We
ry gently, almost tenderly:
" Miss Marand, this is dreadful. can
not bear to see you suffer thus; you will
kill yourself"
IL cannot help it. Only go away and
leave me; shall be better soon."
"No, you will not; you have seen too
much already. You are worn, harrassed
to death; you won't sympathy and socie-
ty, not solitude. You must come home
with me; my mother expects you 4; l came
here on purpose for you; | have brought
her carriage to take you back"
No, no, it is impossible"
Forgive me, Miss Marland, but this is
romance; very unlike your usual strong
sense. What good can you do here -
What can you PREVENT Nothing. You
will only expose yourself to needless pain,
and perhaps insult. Among the many
people who are here to-day, few appre-
ciate your motive for remaining. Forgive
me for speaking thus, but you are brave
enough t. hear the truth"
g cannot 60 without seeing the house
once more"
"Very we'll, we will 60 together. So
come, take my arm, and you shall have
your way"
And so, silently and passively, she went
through the house. Not room, nat a
closet, not window that was not dear to
her. And yet she neither spoke ncr wept
as she passed them by. Finally they
came TO the hall door, and turning 70 Mr..
Gray, she said:
"Do not follow me, il you have any
regard for my feelings. Some time you
may find where ! live, perhaps from your
lady friends, for l must now earn my own
living; and shall probably sew articles
for friends whom have received as guests
in this house" Saying this, she drew
her veil over her face, and then turned
and sped sweiily down the steps.