The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-07-05
SECECT TALES.
Murmau Gurrftt.
OR
THE LOST RECLAIMED.

THE LOST RECLAIMED.
There are indeed long shadows, and thei
evening sunshine lies cold upon the earth; 6u
they all pointed totOard Me morning.-Jea,
Paul RiteAer.
Many, very many martyrs Of our owr
day, hav, been imbued with the true mar
tyr spirit:-haye been as untiring in de-
yotion to the singleness of thei. deer
faith, as were any Of that glorious. blood
saned band, who have been so embod
iel in the world-renowed martyrology. o.
Fox's far back memory.
That the martyrdon of these is express.
Ell by no sudden torture of the rack, OF
bloody guillctinc, or burning stake, but
10y the SLOW, patient, consuming, inch Ly
inch, drop 10y drop Of life, and all lifc's JOY.
GUS heart-beats its hopes its health-all
sacrificed at the shrine Of its devotion, for
rome dear one. child, wife, husband or
mother, 'learer than that life itself-makc
these none the less recognized as mar.
tyrs Of heaven. And If they find them.
selves emblazoned on no marble mont
ment, or on no page Of history, their sao-
ri6ces arc nevertheless indelby recorded
in Gods Book of Life.
No two were ever made one, with great
er promise # vii earthly joy, than were
Constance Vallory and Norman Everett.
Both were talented and accomplished,
and both were singulnrly endowed with
more than what would have seemed to
lie their share Of physical beauty, and that
beauty also which comes from the gifts of
the soul.
Their honey moon had been passed
amid all the thcusand -aud one dsl;si.o-.
that wealth can purchase, in change Of
scene, festive entertainments, &c. And
now the married. pair had returned to the
city and had taken possession Of the ele-
giant mansion which the brides father had
fitted up as his daughters bridal gin.
Aud Constance had begun to seem quite
wifely in her heed of domestic aT"irs.
Norman, too, vas in the full tide Of
successful, though not long established
practice Of his profession, which was that
Of the law.
OF sudden. Constance observed
marked change in her husbands mar ner.
From his usual cheerful, loving way, he
had, within few days, grown silent and
aLstracted, almost sullen.
At first, Constance felt somewhat milf
ed--like an over-petted child denied sud
denly It's accustomed sugar-Plums.
Then she began to I've seriously alarm
ed, and commenced rallying Norman on
bis lowncss Of spirits, and coldness Of man
ner. Was he Ill or was he offended
with heri Or what pds the cause Of his
change Of manneri
Norman laughed at her fears, lmt his
laugh, although loud, was constrained
one. lie declared again and again that
he never loved her so weli--that his health
never was better and = i'll that she must
90 out more and take the mir and sun
chine, and not stay cooped up at home,
conjuring up all sorts OF wild phantasms
with which TO terrify herself.
Constance tried to be satisfied with his
assurances, but she felt restless and i'll ut
case oil the morning.
At dinner time, although she had over
seen the preparation Of such dinner rs
she knew would please heI husband, she
was obliged TO sic down to solitary re-
past without his presence.
Such a thing had never occurred before,
and when at last Norman Everett came
home, between twelve and enc o'clock at
night, she had worried herself sick with
suspense and with trying to account for
his strange condset
aWhy, Constance r. exclaimed he
sars yoa still upi And at this hour p
expected to find you in bed and asleep
ain bed aud asIeep. aud you no, home
dear Norman !" replied Constance, laying
her hand lovingly upon his shoulders, and
hooking iato his face with glance Of ten
der inquiry.
.Yea, it &c rather late for me-" said I've
hGFrsdly. "Unfuwesn business detained
me. could not gst away any sooner
But my little bird must not waste Oh,
restfal hours Of night in waiting Cor hei
good. .tor. r.nothing husband, II she do, he
wings win dsoop, and the sweet JOY vii
leave her voice. and the rich color vii
leave hen yeung cheeks. Ny little birt
must 20 to bed with the lark and not 81
ap Cor her surS-laFk Of q mate" An,
Nosmaa attempted 70 laugh, but his laugl
grated harskly on the eaf Of Constancs
and Ne wild, acrvoas manner, filed he
with thousand tortatng Ssars.
Constance sested her clear blue eyes u
Nsrmaa's With . look that seemed u
search bic most hidden sonk
NORMAN. said si.e, taking his feverisl
hands bstwesa hsro&n cold. almost palss
lees oncs Nosman, I an yosE wiz
When God jsised esr hands sa4 "a
hearts. L vas 10 shsfs each oshess Joy
and sossows. And Ccd knows there
hoshing n poverty or 10 disgfaee- -sher
D. no ordeal, however fiery, from which
wesld shriak. where you sse ccucssnec