The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-01-05

put surely, sald i, after what had
already occurred, yOn were careful TO re-
train from the stimulants which had be-
traycd you INTO an'unworthy action" .
Right. ,c,,s careful. My temperance
| was that of an anchorite. On the prc,eyt
OF health, | RETAINED for many months
from tasting wiue. l became myself again.
My brorhers-in-law c'rlled me milksop.
cared not what they called me. Tie cur
rent OF my blood ran cool and free. |
wanted to conquer back the confidence Of
my wfe!"
"But perhaps this total abetinencc rem
dered the ordeal still more critical, when
YOU were compelled occasionally to resume
your former habits?"
Right again. | was strong as magazine
against myself There occurred family
festival from which | could no absent my
s1lt-the wedding of Sophy Cavendish.
Even my wife relaxed in her habitual
GOODNESS towards me, and requested me to
join the party. We met; a party of some
thirty -giggIing, noisy, brainless,-to
jest and be merry. 1t WAS settled that
must drink the brides hcalth;' and Mrs.
Wargravc extended her glass towards
mine, as if to make it pledge of recon-
citation. How eagerly quatfed it! The
bridegroom was to be toasted: then the
family she was quitting At length the
health of Mrs. Wargravc was proposed
Could | do otherwise than honor it in a
bumper! | looked towards her for further
cncouragcncnt-furthcr Kindness; but,
instead ofthe expected smile | saw her
pale trembling, anxious. My kindling
glanccs and heated countenancc perhaps
reminded her of the fatal night which had
been the origin of our misunderstanding.
Yes, she trcmbledj aud in the midst of her
agitation | saw, or fancied SAW, look
OF sympathy and good understanding pass
between her and Horace Cavcndish. /
turned fierccly towards him. lie regarded
me with contemptl that look 1T least |
did not misinterpret: bit I re,pnged itt'
lnvolmtarily lwalked iron, the parapet,
and walked 4 Jew PAGES towards the trigate
IN order that Wargrave might recover
breath and composurc. lie followed nae;
lie clung to my armj the rest Of his mar
raive was spoken almost in whisper.
''in'Sthc mood which had now taken
possession OF me, it was easy to give of
fence; and Cavendish appeared no less
ready than myself. We quarrelled. Mary's
brother attempted to pacify us; but the
purpose of both was settled. / saw tliat
he looked upon me as venomous rep
tile TO be crushed; and looked upon him
I WSrq NARY, Qpe- u us must die
o exiinguish such deadly hatred We
met at sunrise. Both were sober then.
| shot him through the heart. | surren.
dered myself to justice---took no heed Of
my defence. Yet surely many must have
loved mel for on the day of trial, hundreds
OF witnesses came toward to attest NV
humanity, my generosity, my mildncss
OF nature. Many of our mutual friends
attested upon oath thlt the deceased had
been observed to seek occasions of riyinn
me offence. That he had often spoken Of
me disparUgingly, thrcatningly; that he
had been hearcd to say, deserved to diel
1t was now sure that Mary had taken him
int oher confidence; and yet it was by
my wite's unceasing excrtions that this
mass of evidence had been collected il
my tavor was acquitted. The court
rang with acclamations; for | was the
only son Of my mother, and she wns \
widow and the name Of WarYrave COM.
manGcd respect and loyvfron many, both
IN her person aud Of that of nv wifi.
Tie Cavandish family had not availcd
itself mcrcilessIy against my life. left
the court without blemish upon nv
character and with gratitude for the good
offices OF hundreds. u was not yet quite
wretch.
"But | had not yet seen Mary! On the
plea of severe indispo<!tion, She had re-
framed from visiting me in prison; and now
that all danger was over, rejoiced that
she had been spared the humiliation of
such an interview. / trembled when |
found myself once more on the threshold
Of home. To meet her again--to fall
once more upon the neck Of my poor moth
or. whose blindness and infrmities had
forbidden her to visit me in durance.
What trial. The shouts of the multi
tude were dying away in the distance; my
sole companion was venerable servant
Of my fathers, who sat sobbing by my
side. ....
"The windows are closed,' said look
ing anXiously upwards, rs the carriage
stopped. Has Mrs. .Wargrave--has my
mother quilted town."
"'There was no use distressing YOU,
Master William, so long as you was in
trouble said the old man, grasping my
arm. My poor old mistress has been
buried these six weeks; she died OF a stroke
ofapoplexy the day after you surrendered
yourself We buried her, sir, by the side
ofyour father" l9 4sa 81 'lm aa.a
"'And my wifep said ], a. soon rs |
could recover my uttetance. ..H .a. sss 7
sa al don't rightly understand---1 can't
quite make out---I believe, sir, you will
find letter, said my grey-hesded com
panion, following me closely into the
house. '- '.. 7tihh 80 ?. .na
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