The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-01-18
SELECTED TALES.
FROM Household W ords.
A SPLENDID MATCH.
EDITED ny CHARLES DICKENS.

Mrs. CHEs1ERToN won the day. She
was agood manager and a careful mother,
and understood the tactics of society to
nicely. The Crawforls and the Macclcs-
fields, the Ilorntons and the ParkinSons
were utterly beaten, and their colors low
cred. Mr.. Fitzgerald, of Ormsby Green
had proposed; ard Mrs. Chestcrton shed
tears as she consented that he should
marry her dnwerless Evelne 10 his ten
thousand year.
" For you know, Mr.. FitzgeraId--you
must know 10y your own love-that am
making most painful sacrifice for NV
darling's happiness. If 1t were not that
she loves you SO much-the fond, foolish
child! | do not think that could part
with her. But size has fixed her whole
heart on you. What eau do but make
the sacrifice Of all that have left Inc now
on this earth to love,"-(a retrospective
sob for General Chesterton, who departed
this life fifteen long years ago. -" and en-
sure her happiness at the expense of my
own No, Ma Fitzgerald! am not a
safish.mother. Take'her, since you love
her and she loves you, and God bless YOU
bothw
Mrs. Chesterton wept afresh. As she
sobted, Evcline entered the room. Her
round, dimpled, wsxen che~1s were finsh-
ed. She saw her mother, with the lace
pocket handkerchief to her face, au,l she
rushed to her, throwing herself on her
knees beside the chair; and, carcssing her
gently, glanced all the time, as i by
stealth, ut Mr.. Fitzgerald then, lowering
her ewes suddenly when she saw that his
weie fixed broad and wide upon her.
"Poor, dear cliildw said Mrs. Chester
ton, smoo. hing her hair, with a glance
and gesture that demanded Mr.. Fitzoe.
raids admiration. 1t was very pretty
hair, glossy, bright and golden, and wor-
thy OF the time, labor and expense bsstow-
cd OH it; for Evel:ne's hair cost her almost
rs much as her feet.
All, Mr.. Fitzgerald" !" continued III ;
mother, signing, "wliat treasure am
giving into your hands! May you value
it as you ought, and guard it as care.
fully rs her mother has DONE"
"What is the matter, mammal What
do you meant" demanded Miss Evelinc
in an asitated voice. She raised her eye
brows and opened her large blue eyes
with look Of wonder that was perfect.
Dear, innocent creature! She at least
has never speculated on this moment !!
VOh, Mr.. Fittgerald-Charles, if may call
you So" added the lady, with sudden
expansiveness Of manner, such as people
have on the stage, when, apropos of moth.
ing, they seize each others hands and
look n each others faces sideways, 'swhat
have you not escaped in those Crawford
and Macclestield girls; and what you
have gained in my sweet Eveline Do
you think they would have been as inno-
cent as this dear guieless childi"
" Agnes Crawford is a very good girl
Charles said, ia q voice that was strange
mixture OF .timidity and boldness II
don't think she was either fiirt or a
schemer."
"Perhaps not" the lady replied has
ti'y; Agnes may be an exception TO her
family"
but what does all this mean, nam
mar again inquired Eveline;. seeing an
enSy spoe OoB'hHihB W ouIH Oi ueT ION-
ers cGeek, which she was half afraid
might burn through the marriage con.
tract.
" II means, my love-" answered Mrs.
Chesterton, calling up her broad band
smile in moment, "that ] have inter
preted your wishes and spoken from your
heart. have promised your hand where
you have given your love, naughty child !"
tapping her check--"to our dear Charles
Fitzgerald--.your future husband, and my
beloved son."
"Charlss-Mr. Fitzgerald I" said Eve
line. 40, mammal" she added, hiding
her face.
Charles was intoxicated with Joy; and,
encouraged by a sign from Mrs. Chester
ton, took the little hand which lay buried
beneath the ringlets poured out on her
mothers lap. He pressed Il nervously--
with a strong grasp, il must be confessed,
and arkwardly.
~Obl how he hurts me--the clumsy
man y muttercd Eveline, diseugaging the
member, as if from bas6fulness,
and Pluuging Il among her mothers inter-