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

spoke, and whose eyes, fixed upon him,
had most intense and thrilling express
sion. "Your prayer is heard" continued
he, 81 feel that God is merciful. A raw
of Divine light ilumes my parting hour.
Let me see Grace before die, that our
souls may mingle once more on earth, in
earnest of their union hereafter"
The minister led his daughter to the
couch OF Villeneuve. He joined her hand
in his. my daughter" cried he, "rejoice;
| asked him for life. God giveth unto
him long life; yes, life for reverence"
Grace bowed her head on the pale hand
that clasped her own, and even in that
awful moment a torrent Of JOY gushed in
to her soul. 1t was a foretaste of eternal
wedlock, and death seemed indeed swal.
lowed upin victory. Mr.. Blandford knet
b.v his kneeling daughter, and many a
time during that night they thought they
saw the spirit of Vileneuye about to take
its upward flight; but he sunk at length
into gentle sIumber, and when the doc
tor again saw him he perceived favora-
ble change in his pulse, and told Mr..
Blandford there was a faiut hope of his
recovery. with perfect quiet and ten
der nursing" said he, looking meaning at
ly Grace, "he may yet possibly be saved"
The predictions Of the excellent phvsi-
clan were indeed fulfilled, for in less ,han
three weeks, NilIcneuve, still weak and
languld, was able to take his seat in the
family circle. Mr.. Blandford saw with
JOY that the faith which he had embraced
in what he believed his dying hour was
not abandoned with returning health.
He had always relied on the rcctitude of
his principles, and now. when religion
strengthened and sanctfied them, he felt
1t his duty to sanction his union with his
daughter. The business which had sum-
mon"d him so unexpectedly to his native
country still remained unsettled, and rs
the plysician prescribed milder climate,
he resolved to try the genial air of France.
1t was no light sacrifice for MIR. Blandiord
to give up his daughter. the sole treasury
OF his affections, and doom himself to a
solitary home; but he did it without mur-
murng, since he hoped the blessing Heav.
en- would hallow the nuptials. Vileneuve
promised to return the ensuing year, and
restore Grace again to her beloved person
age.
The Sunday before their departure,
Grace accompanied her father and hus-
band to the village church. ViIeneuvc
saw the boy who had guided him there
the first time, standing at the portal
lie returned his respectful saIutation with
warm grasp Of the hand. "He led
me to the gate of Heaven" thought he
"he shall not 90 unrewarded
She will lie too proud TO play on
the organ any more" said the boy to
himself, "now that she has married a
great man and a foreigner" but Grace
ascende'l the Steps as Usual and drew
the red curtains closely around her
What the feelings of the musician were
within that sacred sanctury, as she press
ed the keys, probably for the last time
could only be judged from a trembling
touch; but at the close Of the services
when the same sublime anthem, with the
burden "for ever and ever" was sung by
the choir, Villeneve recognized the same
clear, adoring accents which first fell so
thriliingly on his car. He remembered
in his dream. 1t no longer filled him will,
superstitous horror. 1t was caused by
the workings Of h,s dark and troubled
mind. Now every thought flowed in q
new channel he seemed to be a new be.
ing to himself.
"Ars we indeed united I" said he, while
his soul hung on the echoes Of that sweet
strain, "and shall we bc united for ever? q
Forever and over," returned the voice
Of the worshipper; and the whole choi,
joiaed in, in full bust Of harmony re
peated again and again, "for ever anC
ever"