The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-03-01

| ""eu he, ehueaSefing 10 Stretch out
his arms towards the luminous point
Forever and ever" responded the same
heavenly accents, mournfully ecloing till
they died away, and the vision fed. lie
was not superstitiods, but he did not like
the impression Of his dream. lie rose f.
verish and unrcfreshed, and felt himself
unable to continue his journey. M.
Blandford came to see him. lie was
deeply interested in the young stranger,
and experienced the pleasure which every
sensitive and intellectual being feels in
meeting with kindred scnsibility, and in
teIlect. The intimacy thus commenced,
continued to increase, and week after week
passed away, and Vrlleneuve still fingered
near the minister and his daughter. Ills
health was invigoratcd, his spirits excited
by the novel yet powerful influences that
surrounded him. 1t was impossible, in
the course Of this rapidly deepening init
macy that the real sentiments of VilIen-
euve should remain concealed, for hypoc-
rlsy formed no part Of his character. Mr..
Blandford, relying on the reverence and
affection Of Villcncuye, felt for him, be-
lieved it would be an easy task TO Interest,
him in The truths Of religion. And it was
an easy task to interest him, particularly
when the fathers arguments were backed
by the daughters pursuasive eloquencc !:
but 1t was most difficult one to convince.
The prejudi:es Of education, the rowcr of
habit, the influence Of a worldly life, pre-
sented an apparent impenctrab!e shield to
the arrows of Divine truth
81 respect, revere the princplcs of
your religion" ViIleneuve was accustom.
cd TO say, at the close Of their long and
interesting conversations, al would will
'nSly endure the pangs of death; yea.
the agonies Of martyrdom, for the posses
son OF faith like yours. But it is n gift
denied to me. l cannot force my belief, nor
give n cold assent with my lips to wha.
my reason and my conscience belir.n
Mr.. Blandtord ceased not his efforts,
Notwithstanding the unexpected resistance
he encountered, but Grace gradually re-
tired from the conflict, and Villeneuve
found to his sorrow and modification that
she no longer appeared to rej,,ice in his
society. There was a reserve in her man.
ncrs which would have acquired his re-
scHtment, had not the sadness Of countcn-
ance touched his heart. Sometimes when
he met her eye, it had an earnest, re-
Proachful, plying expression that thrilled
him to the soul. One evening he came
to the parsonage at later hour than us
ual. lie was agitatcd and pale.
"l have received letters OF ofimportance,"
said he, 81 must leave you Immediately.
dill not know that all my happiness
was centercd in the intercourse | have
been holding with your family, till this
summons came"
MIR. Blandfor'l," continued ViIleneuve:
ii love your daughter. | cannot live
without her-l cannot depart without an
assurance Of her love and your approba.
ton"
MIR. Blandfold was too much agitated
to reply-the blood rushed to his temples,
then re'reaiing as suddenly, left his brow
and check as colorcss rs n marble.
81 should have foreseen this" at length
he said. at would have spared us all
much misery" .
"Misery = replicl VilIencuve, in a start.
ling tone.
"Yes," replied Mr. B'andforl, 81 have
been greatly to blame have suffered
my feelings to triumph over my Judge.
mcnt. Villencuve, I have never met q
young man tia, has won upon my af
fcctions as you have done. The ingenu,
business, ardor. and generosity Of your
Character, impclled me to love you.
still love you, but | pity you sti! more
l can never trust my daughters happi
ness in your hands. There is gulf be
tween you--a wall Of eparation-high n
the heavens, and deeper than tho founda
lion Of the earth"
lie paused and bowed his face upon his
hands. The possibility that his daugll.
ter's happiness might be no longer in
his own keeping, completely "verpowered
him.
ViIleneuvc listened in astonisl,ment and
dismay. lie, it, all the pride of afflucRce
and rank, (ior noble blood ran in lincaI
streams through his vcins,) to he rejected
by an obscure village pastor, from mere
religious scruplcs. 1t was Incredible
one moment his eye flashed haughlily on
| ehO uchuihB hSuio VC'o'o H" tic Ue1'
it wavered, in the apprehension that Grace
might yield to her fathers decision, and
seal their final separation.
"Mr. BlandforJ." cried he, passionate,
iy, ] can take my rejection only from your
daughter--I have never sought her love
unsanctioned by your appreciation -
have scorned the guise Of hypocrite
md have q right to claim this from you
You may destr.y my happiness--it Is in
your pOwer--but tremble lest you sacri
tice daughters peace.
Mr.. Blandford recovered bis self-com
inand, as the passions Of the young man
bunt their bounds. He summoned Grac.
into his presence. Il yield to your inn
petuous DESIRE said he, "but i would q
Heaven you had spared me such scene
like this. Painful as il Is, must remain
to be witness to it.S
lie took his daughters hand as shs
entered, and drew her towards hiIa. III
watched her conntenanec while The arsl
vows of love TO which sho ever listcncs