The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-12-06

tirmness as she could assume. Lucy i
not all to blame for the unwise step sh
has taken
WHO is, then = was the natural ell
quiry.
You and her father may be quite a
much TO blame rs your unhappy child
A sudden flush came into the pale fac,
Of Mrs. Edwards. There were few VIII,
did not think just as the friend had spo
ken but she alone had ventured 10 at
ter the truth where, Of all things, its ut
t.rance WAS most needed.
we 10 blauc.'
a curve of Indignation was on the liz
Of Mrs. Edwards.
1T YOU were sure this were the case
would it not greatly soften your feeling,
towards Lucy!'
But am not sure Of it," said the Ia.
dy, whose tears had already ceased to
flow.
you are not the Only sufferer in this
case"
who else suffcrsg
Your unhappy child
She deserves to suffer. What else
could she expect, in such union, but Il
lto OF suiieringF Mrs. Edwards spoke Sc
vcrelv.
why do YOU so Object to the marriarc!
'llc is not the man to make her happy.
In all respects, they me unsuitcd to each
other
Can you imagine sa,ldrr life than
that which woman must lead, who
broadly errs in the choice of Il married
parlnerf
None
'Pity your Child, then. If such 10, ;
to be hers, let your love make softer tie
lil"w on which her poor head must lie.
OH, mv frinnh Il" no, FIJI :, .u;,h ,Lay.,,r
Fifty spoken were these words,and they
found lodging place in the mind of Mrs.
Edwards; yet she answered.
She deccivel u, She broke her solemn
promise not to marry this man.
Had You any right to extort such a
promisc! camly asked the friend.
Nv aS she not our childf
Yours L" love. guard-. guile and edu-
cate for Heaven, " lille child Aud yours
to wise and leod into right wa,s. when
woman. But not yours, after the chii
became the woman, to cxtort promises in
vi"la'iou of tlIat freedom To love which is
tie hearts q ii given prcrogative. TIE
attempt to constHiu in this direction Was
the very way To Ihw'r' vnur own wishes.
Are ynm w"man, and ignorant on this
headi Commune with vour own heart, nv
A.. I Al
crrr,l. Pardon me when | say that Won
had no right u bring your child into the
n tnuiLin1 strait uf choosing between her
parents and the mrn she Lowell no ~ after
how yn,. might estimate him,no not even
il he wer. utter Y unworthy of her, which
vii! n }, believe to he So. For the brea h
Of promise 10 Yourselves you are more to
blimc than she; for vou forced her to
make a promise that she cuuII not keep;
aid The necessity Of the ctse absolvcs
her.
'li.r father will never forgive her
said Mrs. Edwards, her voice subdur,l
from its recent sternncss. This act has
separated him for ever from his child
a step was heard in the passage, at
this moment. The ladies' glanced towards
the door. and saw Mr. Edwards There
WAS lark shadow on his face. lie nod
ded cnldly to the visitor. who said to him,
speaking from the moments impulse
This cannot be true
WHAT he enquired.
That you will never forgive Lucy for
the step she has takeni
The shadow on his face grew darker,
rs lie answered.
she was forewarned Of the consequent
CO.
But YOU will relent aud forgive
'Nsvrrr
You have fatherl' said the visitor,
impressively.
Mr. Edwar Is looked with halfdoubt-
in., half-~t rtled air into the face Of his
interrogation.
a Father in IIeavenr anil finger,
slowly raised, was pointed upward.
"Madami
The voice Of Mr.. Elwartls was far from
being steady.
Have you never offenlel--never acted
in disobedicnce to the will Of that Fatheri
What IL lie were to say, Il will neither
reliant nor forgiyef
Pardon this freedom Of speech in one
who elai rs to be true friend added the
lady, in changed and lower tone Of vice
Then rising, she passed from the room er,
they could prevent her departure.
They were true words, spoken resolute
ly. and at fitting moment---and the,
sunk deeply and disturbingIy into th'
hearts of sir Elwards and hrs wife, awak
ening donbts and questionings which lhey
yainly tried to thrust aside Had the,
ever lived IN Obedience 10 the will aBt
wor,l Of their Heavenly Fatherl Had the,
nothing TO be forgiven, that they 80 reso
lutely refused to forgivel
Mr.. aud Mrs. Edwards were in calme
frame Of mind, as they sat alone on tn
evening that followed this day--calme