The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-02-09

u n,s neart VIII not give tup-no one
shall share this wealth with mey-went
to his own apartment.
Even when years had passed, and other
crimes had more deeply calloused his
heart, Bernard Trask could not think.
without shuddenng, of that night his faith.
er died, when again and again he crept
along, the dimly.lighted passage from his
chamber to the sick room, listening to the
low moan, and the whisper Of his name,
ever fainter and fainter, till the last agoni.
zed adJuration fell on his car, that he
would not compel his father to 90 into
eternity with such terrible sin on his
soul; nor could he ever turn away his Vi.
sion from the gaze Of those fixed, CLASSY
eyes, which, when fearing longer to DISC
bey that dying call, he had opened the
door, and stolen noiselessly to tho bedside,
were resting on him. In that cold, fixed
expression, there was a deep reproof a
bitter malediction, but the youth would
not seek to turn away the curse. For the
smile Of his idol he defied the frowns of
conscience. and that terrible regard on the
countcnancc Of the dead.
Another scene rose up before the old
man. lie sat in the neat parlor Of an
humble cottage. lie had often been there
before; his portrait hung on the wall, his
name was on the fly leaf Of those richly
bound books which were lying on the it,
tic centre-table; the rare and beautiful or
naments on tho mantle-shelf he had
brought from foreign land; the piano was
his own, and the sheet of music living on
It was his favorite song; the vines, clam
bering over the window so thickly rs al
most to exclude the bright beams Of the
full moon, his own hand had helped to
plant and train, and even the rose-trces
whose countless blossoms we're filling the
atmosphere with fragrance, had often been
pruncd by him.
Every thing around the young man
told him Of himself; but the language
which was spoken he loved not to listen
to, and he rose fr IN his seat and paced
inpatiently up and down the apartment
The door was opened, and Young girl,
fair, delicate creature, with deep blue,
gentle eyes, flowing golden ringlet., and
pale, sad face, which, in contrast with the
deep mourning attire, seemed almost ca
darerous, entered the room. For an in
stant she stood silent; from the look of un.
certainty which passed over her features,
she might have been doubling the cvi-
dencc OF her senses; and then, uttering
cry OF JOY, she sprang forward and threw
her arms around the young man, resting
hcr head On his bre;s,. Tho fond EN-
brace was not as warmly returned, though
tho arm did encircle her form; and though
the head was lent dow to hers, the lips
were motionl,s,; hut the youn. girl did
not heed il; he ~as With her, and that
seemed enough.
"Oh. Bernard, I knew you would come
again." sheexclaimed. II knew you could
not forget me-. would not believe the
reports which have reached me, though il
Is a long, long time since heard from
you. Why have you been silent so long,
dear Bernardo have been so very
wretched! Only the thought Of you, and
the assurance that you would some time
return to me, has kept me alive. My dear
mother and sister died months ago, few
weeks since my father was buried, and to-
morrow | should have been homeless: but
all, all Is restored now! Oh, Bernard,
what deep darkness, what bitter agony
has your presence dispelledl with what q
food Of light has il surrounded me! You
will never leave me morc-you will never
forget me again!'
Forget you, Clarinet" said the young
man; forget you, who, when that terrible
disease was upon me, alone stood at nv
bedside, risking your own l:fe to save mine;
and by your unwearying assiduities re.
storing me from the death to which every
one else had consigned mel No, Clarine,
gratitude"
-Gratitude!' echoed the young girl,
springing from the arm which did not
seek to detain hcr-"gratitude! One
ceases TO love when one begins to be Crate
ful. Bernard Trask!'" what anguish was
there in her tones-"answer the question
which ! cannot askv'
The young man could not answer the
question. lie could no, say; IL love an
other" for never more keenly than at this
moment, was he sensible Of the vast dis
tanee between that loving gentle heart
which he was erushingt to the earth, and
that proud, naughty being he was to make
his own. Nevei could another be rs dear
10 him rs was she, he MAS sure il must be
50; but while lore to her was the sun OF
existence, II was TO him but dim, second
airy planet. The unhallowed light with
which he was seeking to illume his path
way through life, did pale foe brief mo-
mcnt, and he advanced step towards her
10 kDecl at her feet, 10 clasp her to his
heart 10 whisper, Thine forever" but
the love Of gold triumphed.
lie took the pledge Of betrothal which
she returned 10 him, and left her presence.
An hour after he stood at the altar, be.
side the Lady Isadore. Tho rosy check
OF the bride wore no deeper color, nor d.d
the long siIken ,sshcs droop over those
large, br;ifiant black eyes, and the haugh.
y smile still wreathed that curling ruby
lip' bias she was d splendid croasuse, stand.
ing there 10 her qneeAIy robes, with the
tiara of costly gsms glcaming out fto,n
amid the wreathof orange blossoms uhich
bound those raven tressex. and vet the