The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-01

huu he must KISS the queen, forsoOth
ard Aline blu he'd, drew back, until Oscar
came to the rescue. There was quick
movement Of the youths arm, and Wal
ter Grason fell like log at his feet, while
AIine, weeping and trembling, tore the
wreath from her forehead, aud would sing
no more that day.
II was nearly week after that, when
Oscar Lyle visited the parsonage, tina,
they told him Aline was unwell. He
paused for moment, and his cheek paled (;
then, pushing the terrified servant aside,
be FASTENED to her room. She lay half
reclining upon rich velvet couch. looking
wildly lovely in dress of pure white
muslin; yet her face wore deeper shade
OF pensiveness than was her wont, and
she turned not to meet him when he en-
tered the room.
:" u" he gasped, springing to her
side.
She glanced up, and he knew all then ;
the starred border Of her head dress-it
wasStis gift-Walter Grason's.
1t were no fault Of mine, Oscar, if I
turn from thee," she said. "IIe is my
father, and it is his wish; he is all the
friend have in this wide world, but you.
Oscar, and you will be my friend, my
brother, in this dark hour. You will for
give me, Oscar" and she laid her hand,
gittering with jewels, upon his arm, and
raised those large, dark, pleading eyes to
his. You will forgive me, Oscar r.
May God forgive thee, AIine-I never
can J" He turned away, and Aline Luid
was alone.
The Rector met him in the hall.
"Aline told you y he said, inquiringly :;
yet blame her not, for it is better thus.
You are poor now, Oscar" and bitter
smile wreathed his lips as he turned away.
Il am poor now, Herbert Loid, yet
you shall feel proud to call me friend"
Oscar Lyle turned away as he spoke,
and when he left the patronage, there
was another green grave in his memory :;
and another loved form had been buried
in lone spot in his heart. Aline Loid
was to be forgotten name in the future.
1t was wild night, just such a night
rs this. 1t was the night before the trial.
Yes, Herbert Loid had been charged with
a crime by the laws Of bis country, un
psrdonable. A dispute had arisen be-
tween him and his son-in-law, Waller
fell on the floor a corpse. The villagers
pitied the poor old man, and everything
that could be done, was cheerfully y per
formed. The services Of the most re.
nowned advocate in England. had been
procured, and many hoped that on the
morrow. Herbert Loid might throw off
the chains Of the convict {; yet they dared
not breathe that hope, it was so faint.
One heart was bleeding all alone on
that wild night, in the richly furnished
bou !oir Of that old house. The heavy
drapery that fell over the large windows,
half concealed the slender form; yet the
face was such an one as you might see in
the ideal Of an artists dream. The dark,
mournful eyes beamed with tender soft
ness, contrasting strangely with the ashy
paleness Of that young face, so lovely in
its outlines, so beautiful in its deep grief
81" Will he come !" and the lady press.
ed her face hard against the damp glass,
until it became clouded by her quick,
fain,ing breath. Earnestly she listened,
yet there was no answer-no sound. save
the rustling Of the old tree against the
window, and the fierce pattering Of the
rain against the glass; still her face was
pressed hard against the window pane.
and tie pale features were lii up by n
wild, intense excitement. Yet she could
see nothing-nothing only that gaunt old
sentinel by the window, its huge form
blackcned by approaching night; and
the long, brick wing looking dark and
shadowy in the deepening gloom. Fain-
ter and more shado~y became the OBJ.
jects TO her view, and the rain beat more
hercely against the window panes.
She drew back with cold sbudder.
and allowed tho rich drapery to fall back
into its place, while che sunk deeper and
deeper anil the rich pile Of cushions !:
and smiie--it was bright smiIe-flit.
ted over that pale face. She was in
dream-land. Oscar Lyle again stood by
her side, leaning against the chancel rails
m the old village church, listening TO the
voice OF the good Rector; again she
wandered through the old wood visited
Fairy Knoll. and their old haunts again,
and wove those wild forest flowers into
bright wreaths, sitting there on the old
s.one bench in the pale moonlight, with
the church spire 10 the distance. She
dreamed, and the smile Of trusting faith
stole over that pale face, Ike a raw Of
sunlight over summer cloud. She
thought he was doubling her eonstapcy,
and she lisped wild, fervent r,ply--
Oscar, do yoa doubt me n
Again she was clasped 10 that manly
breast, and q wiIslesy. Of Joy warbles up
from her Throat ahd then she starts.
The bright dream has passed. She start.
ed from the coach. and Qazed ont into
the night; yet size could discern no,l,lng
nothing. ouly = dark shadow, ~ 4 nov
aid then swept past The window---it was
the old tree. The sain stilI beat aerceIy
against the window panes, and she could
hear faint 'aournfcl, dismal sound, IKE