The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-12-20


this petition r.
"Oi VIA, avail will it be, my child
There is nothing his friends can hope to
prove for his benefit. His guilt is beyond
doubt. No; justice must take il.
course"
The white arms gradually lossened from
their loving embrace. the eyelids folded
their long dark lashes over the pale
cheek, and like some beautiful and fra.
gie flower, crushed needless foot, she
sank, without sign of life, at her father.
feet.
lie bent over her and wildly called up.
on her to speak to him, to assure him she
WAS not dead and though he pressed his
lips 10 hers, and by every term of endear-
rnent strove to WOO her back to life, not
trace "f animation could he bring to her
pallid face. .... .. 2. ... ......
Alarmed, he summoned assistance; and
it was not until powerful resloratives had
been applied tha, she evinced signs of re-
turning lie.
When fully recovered, however, she de-
sired the attendants to withdraw, and
leave her alone with her father. When
they had gone, she resumed the CONVEX.
sation.
DO not let us continue the subject: il
is painful TO both, yet l cannot conceive
why it should affect you so strongly" said
the Governor. --.,-as s-.. .5-
ut is for hat reason | would speak
more Of it," replied Eva, with quverine
lips. ut is because love Waiter Lind.
say better than anght else on earth, even
you, dearest father; ah, and sometimes
have feared better than my God For a
year we have been affianced."
"Imp"Ssible, Eva! Ny child. you are
surely jesting with Your father" burst
from the lips Of tue startled man.
"Ihink you SO, my fntheri Look at
your Eva. Does sire look as she did a
few months ago."
"Ah, no! NY God, see it now =
Fool that have been! Poor child! the
roses have all fled thy check; thy form
has lost its buoyancy, and is attenuated
feariulIy. You are pale. and the blue
veins are sadly visible through the trans
parent skin. | knew that you were not
well, but little did | dream the cause! o.
my child, say, Eva, why have YOU trough,
me to this You the affianced bride Of a
murderer q
NAY, calumniate him not - exclaimed
the girl, with flushed cheek and flash
ing eye. IL tell you Walter is innocent.
He has sworn il to me, upon the word OF
God, since his sentence, when he had no
hopes Of life and would believe him il
all the angels OF Heaven were to come
down and say that it was false"
She looked very beautiful-very ike
an inspired Pythoness denouncing ven
geanse--as she stood there l,efnre her
father; defending the fame of her lover
Her utterance was rapid; each word seem
ed bursting, Ms it were, from an over
charged heart.
the Governor buried his face in his
bands and groaned, while the tears ever
and anon fell through his fingers. But
her arms were around bis neck now, aud
her cheek pressed close to his, Just in the
same old loving way as Of yore. Her
voice was salmer, too, aud sweet rs the
sound Of rich harp-string, as she spoke
TO him.
my fa,he Walter shall live for thi.
little month : The prayer YOU would re.
fuse the worll you will grant your Eva,
will you mol !"
"Lisei 0, my God, yes for when he
dies thou wilt 60 too, fea-, poor flower
nnd-and | cannot spare thee yet" said
the old man, chokingly.
10, thanks. dearest father! There il a
great shadow lifted fiom my hear, and
hope shines in once more. You may
deem me foolish, but | have present..
nent that all will yet he well--that hap
piness shall take, ere long, the place ol
sorrow."
"Goi grant il may! exclaimed her faith
CT, "Go'I grant it may! but where car
Won look for belpi
There" said the girl, pointing up
ward.