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

SoN'" "nen rattleu IN MS hand the parch-
ment which made him the owner of a
vast estate. 1t came afterwards-thc re-
membrance Of that despairing cry, but
Clarlnc he never saw again.
The next morning, when the creditor of
her father went to take possession of his
cottage, he found it without an occupant.
Search was made for the ill-fated girl, but
what became Of her was never known
Some conjectured that in returning to her
home that night, after witnessing the
marriage Of Bernard Trask, for there were
others who recognized her in the church.
beside her false lover, she had attempted
to cross bridge which was undergoing
repairs, and had fallen into the water and
their suspicious were strengthened by the
discovery, few days after, of female,
some miles farther down the river. The
Iody had been so long in the water, how
ever, as to be almost unrecognizable, had
the eye OF affection rested on it: and tho
few who looked on her felt little interest
in her fate.
And yet another. 1t was Christmas
evening, the birtl-night Of the beautiful
Marion Irask; it was to be also her mar
mage eve. The princely mansion of her
father was opened for brilliant festival,
and as the rich man wandered through
those gorgeously-dccorated apartments,
smile of pride and pleasure lighted up
that dark and gloomy brow but the heart
OF the father did not beat lightly. That
only child was worshipped being, but
the old idol still kept the first place in his
soul, and tonight the last sacrifice was to
DC made at its shrine.
Bernard Tarsk felt that he had but one
more offering to make; and conscience
was repeating to him in no very gentle
tones the words that Isadore had whis.
Pered in her dying moments, "Deal gent
ly with your daughter, and the crimes
you have committed may be forgiven but
sacrifice her on the altar of avarice, and
henceforth the fuel Of that unholy fire
shall be the life Of your soul %
And yet the sacrifice was to be made.
lie deafened his ear to the voice Of con
science, as he had closed his heart to his
daughters pleadings, and shut his eyes to
that pale, ngonizcd face which was turned
so dcspairingly to his.
/. For some weeks previous TO her mar
riagc, hc had avoided the sight of her as
much rs possible; it had been easy for him
to 10 so the few days past; for the young
lady had been confined 10 her chamber
by illness, brought on, he well knew, by
grief and despair.
The marriage rites were to bc perform
ed at an early hour, before the invite d
guests had assembled. Marion had sought
an interview with her father before the
hour named for the performance Of the
ceremony, but he had denied her an in
terview; and when she came to the door
OF the apartment in which he had shut
himself up, and begged, in that almost
frenzied tone, for moments conference,
he had only commanded her back to her
chamber to prepare herself to receive her
future husband.
The young girl opened the door, and
sprang into the apartment "You shall
look OH me once more," she said, "beforc
giving me your final command. You
shall let me plead once more that may
bc spared the commital Of this sin !" and
she clasped his hand in hers, and sank
at his feet. "Father, look at the portrait
on the wall; you placed it here, in your
private apartment, you said, that when
lifc's shadows fell around you, you might
look on what you called that radiant face,
and gather thence a beam which would
Danish the last trace of sorrow and dark
ness from your soul. And, father, look
on the face which it portrays does il give
you happiness 10 regard it nowi And if
the anticipation of this terrible evil has
wrought such change in my appearance,
what will its realization dot Father. look
on your only child! Speak the word
which will make me the happicst of NOR
tals,-which will make my heart hesitate
between the worship Of you and Of Hcas
venw
A great change had passed over that
beautiful, joyous ccunteuaDce, and the
father saw it; but not so clearly as he saw
the glittering gold which was to be added
to his wealth. He went to his private
secretary, and taking thence caskct. in
laid With pearls and gold, touched secret
spring, and displayed its contents to the
surprised young lady.
"Hcre, Marion. he said, holdinp up to
the light bandcau, "here is half my
fortune; and this and my blessing shall be
yours, when l see you the bride of DE
Aanton r.
Marion rose to her feet, for an instant
her eyes were fixed with sort Of fascina-
ton on the blazing stones, and then she
turned an incrcdulous look on her father.
The gentleman put tho ornament on her
head, and then stopped to kiss the fair
brow but Marion started bach, deep
crimson flashed over those pale features,
her parted lips were firmly closed, eour-
age and energy looked forth from those
mournful eyes, and witii proud, quick
step, she left the apartmerk Mr.. Trask
smiled A she passed from bis presence.
-Shc has conquered her leelings,n be.
said 70 himself; Atlic spirit Of Isadoso
dwelIs ID her daughter r
An boar passed away, aad The earfi-
ags which contained ths expected scn-in-
law stopped before Tie dwelling. 81.