The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-09-26

'hick ven, slowly uhtOIded before his
minds eye. There was no recor.l o
crime there; so the old mans face wore \
cheerful but subdued expression. Sud.
denly he looked up. The calm, clear eve
OF his wifi met his own ganae, and he
started from his reverie. -
Lucia my love, We are getting very
DID," lie said.
rnat is what was just thinkig of,
my hushand," she replied, "while en-
deavore,l TO call back the feelings with
which first heard you call me wife; hnt |
found them already in my bosom, and
they have been there ever since that dav,
increasing in depth and strength as we
idraw nearr the grave. l tore INV hear;
10 parl with our, lovely anil only Caspert
but would have broken it had been call.
ell to lay you in the grave. my husband.
How white your looks are!" she con,in.
ued, fondIy strokng then back from his
lofty yet mild brow; but to nv mind.
they are moro beautiful, CARING in pale
waves upon your shoulders, than when
they fell over rudy cheek in ringle,s Of
jet" ..
Those were happy DAYS." murmured
Casper, partly To himself. ....
And are we not happy now, Oh! my
husbandl
Happy, while we are together; too
happy" he whispered back, as the quick
tears sprang Ia his eyes; "there is only
one thing that i,npairs my present enjny-
ment, aud fear. in that distrust the
goodness which has led us from JOY tn
Ij"y."
What is it, Casperl"
"The fear that may be taken and you
may be left; you, alone in your old age,
with none nearer than friends and acquain.
lances."
Lucia was silent for moment. LET
u< put our trust in Gnl," she at length
exclaimed; "lf am left, Caspar, it cannot
he for long
"And then we shall he reunited in e..
tcr"ity," whispered Casper. ..
"Yes, to love on forever and ever"
"Shail we love each other more su =.
ipremely up yuudeti'' auSsn the old man. ;
eyes sl'"ne holy light.
Next To Cod, ] firmly believe; for are
not our sous III perfect unison2'
yes, said Casper. M he gently clasp
Ell the hand "f his wife; "perfect. for ours
WAS true marriage. WorI, thought,
and deed have grown in si,nili,ude, till
the soul Of one is rs the echo to that OF
the other. Pain is almost sweet, when
YOU are near to minister to ne, and pleas
ure ! ENJOY not fulness unless YOU are II
sharer. Yes, my love, we are going to
the grave together, and we soon shall be
joined To chose precious pledges who took
their fight heavrnward SO long ago. !
regret not now neither. am sure, can
,"H. that we laid them - early in the
arms Of Death. They were not sinless;
hut oh we deemed them very near per
iectiuu"
| 81 did no, see ill n wv, Caspar, that your
eyes are hca, ier than usual" exclaimed
Lucia, after some moments Of silence, du
ring which they had sa, hand in hand;
'hase you felt i'll to-dayi"
| II cannot evade your question, my
wife. In truth, the rack,ng pains in my
heat, from which l have suffered sine.
morning, led me To muse upon what |
have tod you."
"And !, too, have felt strange sensa.
ton IN my head all day; tu, | thought
il spoke Of it it might alarm YOU"
For thatvery reason have kept silent;
but we shall both he better, perhaps after
u nights rest. ! ct us perform our iarmi-
ly devotion an retire. .....
Af,er prayers, the re'I Goals on the
hearth were carefully raked up and cover
ed with ashes, and in n few moments tl ,
lights were put out and the old couple
slept. :.
| Day dawned again. Earth smiled in
its crystal beauty. II was a brilliant
morning. Casper and Lucia were awake
With the first gIiimnering oflight Indeed
they had slept uneasily and had often
spoken TO each other in the still watches
bot the night.
"Luciaw exclaimed Casper, feebly, "you
are burning up; how hot snd feverish your
hand is"
"Aud you. too, husband; your forehead
is like coal Of lire, and your eyes glare
frightfully. .r
$50 do yours. It would be strange il
We were both sick together"
"oh! am not sick," responded Lncia,
attempting TO rise; but she iei back heav.
iIy on the bed." s
My poor wife, what shall we dot
too c~nnot rise."
Il had hoped to eiake you something
refreshing 10 drink; but my brain reels
aud throbs so suddeSly, and the shooting
pains fy from limb 10 Iimb.r
4 Higher rose the sun, glaring on the
forest of snow, yet 20 smoke came from
the chimney of Casper Fontaine.
Tie neighhors woSIdered, and thought
the old couple must have over-slept them
selves. Broad pouu and stiIl no signs a
life from the usuallyIb,,sy inmates,
aMary, Just run oker there. said farm.
er, who lived near, 10 bis ruddy checked
daugf,sr. .and sec IL nnythihg has hap.
peped; Il is very arsage, al seems 30 still
they are usually np before We afe.r I
J, Mssy esme fyiuf hack in few mo
. sna,.ta Her ei,eekl klhai ls.as he 90. .,,d