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

| quence and tervor witch seemed irresisti-
ble, 10y most handsome and engaging
person, and he trcmbed as he gazed.-
Her cheek kindlcd, her eye lighted I'm
with rapture, her heart painted with ex-
cessive emotion. She leaned on her faith
er's arm, unable to speak, but looked up
into his face with An expression that spoke
volumes.
"You love him, then, Grace" said he,
mournfully. "Oh, my God forgive me
the blindness, the madness of which I
have been guilty"
Grace started, as if awakened from n
dream. Her fathers words recalled her
to herself-one brief moment Of ecstacy
had been her's--to be followed she knew,
10y hours of darkness and sorrow. The
warm glow faded from her check, and
throwing her arms around her fathers
neck, she wept unrestrained.
"She loves me-" exclaimed Villeneuye .
You yourself, witness her emotions-vou
will not separate us-you will not suffer
cruel fanati"ism to destroy us both 7"
"Gracc," said Mr.. BlandGord, in firm
voice, "look up. Let not the feelings of
moment, but the principles of life de-
c'de. VIII you hazard, for the enjoy
'nent of few feeting years, the unutter.
able Interests Of eternityl Will you for
sake the Master he abjures for the bosom
of strangerl In one word, my dau,rh-
ter, will you wed an Infdelr
"Grace lifted her head and clasring her
hands together, looked fervently upward.
Thou art answered." cried Mr.. Bland
ford, with n repeling motion towards vii.
lencuvc. The God she invokes will give
her strength to resist temptation. Go.
then, most unhappy, yet beloved young
man-you have chosen your destiny, and
W. have chosen ours. You live for time.
We, for eternity. As said before, there
is deep gulf between us. Seek not to
ds"S hor down into tho .hvss. into which
you would madly plunge. My soul hath
wrcstled with yours, and you have resisted.
though fought with weapons drawn from
heavens own armory-Farewell, our pra7-
ers and our tears will follow you.
He extended his hand to grasp Villen.
euve's for the last time, but Villeneuve.
will. every passion excited beyond con-
troll, rejected the motion; and snatchinp
the hand Of Grace, which hung powerless
over her fathers shoulder, drew her i'm
petuously tow ards him.
'She loves me-" exclaimed he, "and I
will never resign her; swear it by the
memorable Power You so blindly worship.
Perish the religion that would crush the
dearest and holiest feelings Of the human
heart Perish the faith that exults in the
sacrifice Of nature and Of love!"
With one powerful arm, Mr.. Blandford
separated his daughter from the embrace
Of her lover and holding him back with
the other, commanded him to depart.
lie was agitated; the veins Of his tenn
pies started out like cnrds, and his ewes
flashed with imprisoned fires. Villeneuve
writhcd for moment in his unrelaxinc
grasp, then reeling backward sunk back
upon sofa. He turned deadly pale, and
held hiS handkerchief to his face.
"Oh, father! you have killed him ~
shrieEed Grace, springing to his side he
faints-he blceds--he dies,'
Even while Grace was speaking. the
white Handkerchief was crimsoned with
blood, the eyes Of the young man closed
and he fell back insensible.
Just Heaven, spare me for this curse ~
ciod Mr.. Blandford. "Great God! have
killed them bothw
They did indeed look like two murder.
ed victims, for the blood which oozed from
the young mans lips, not only dyed his
own handkerchief and neckcloth, but red
dened the white dress Of Grace and stiff
cned on her fair locks, as her head droop
ed unconsciously on his breast. All wa.
horror and confusion in the household
The physician was Immediately summon
ed, who declared that blood vessel wa.
ruptured, and that the life of the young
man was in the most imminent danger
Grace was borne to hor own apartment
aud eonsighed 10 the care of some kline
neighbors, but Mr.. Blandford remainet
the whole night by Villeneuve's side, hold
ing his hand in his, with his eyes fxe,
on his pallid countenance, trembling. les
every fluttcring breath should be his last
About dayhrcak he opened his eyes, an,
seeing who was watching so tenderIy ovel
"'"', ITcoNcu HIS hanus ana HtcInptet
to speak, but the doctor commanded per
feet silence, assuring him that the slight
est excrtion would he at the hazzar o
his life, For two or three days he hov
ered on tho brink Of ahe grave, during
which time Mr.. Blandford scarcely lei
his side, and Grace fingered near tn,
threshold Of the door, pale and sleepless
the immagc Of despair. One night, wher
he seemed to 10 in deep sleep, Mr.
Blandford knelt 10y his couch, and in
low voice breathed out his soul in prayer
His vigil bad been one long prayer, hu
he felt that he must find vent in languag,
Tor the depth aud strength Of his emotions
He prayed in agony for the life Of tn,
young man; fpr lis souls life. Ho plead
ed. he supplicated tIil. language failing
sighs and tcars alone bore witness to I'll,
strivings Of bis spirit. sYet, not my will
iohi 0s<l g ejaculated he, .bat Thine b,
I Done"
| "AmenT" utterel faint voice. TIL
minister started "a if he had heard a yoic
from the dead, II was yillcncure VIE,