The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-02-21

her hands and sobbed almost hystercal-
ly. Maria Theresa would have raised
her, but Blanca sprang UP from the
ground, her face beau,ing with delight,
though the tenrs hung upon her cheeks.
Oh! forgive me-" she said eagsrIy, "your
hishness will sorgi'e me. DO not mis-.
take my tears for sorrow, am SO happy
that must weep"
Blanca went and with her husband to
the mines. The dismal hut of a work
man in the mines OF Idria was but poor
exchange for the magnificent palace Of
the Count Albert, on tue Banks Of the
Danube, which was now coufiscated to the
crown; though small estate was given
to the venerable and respected Countess
during her life. But Blanca smiled with
a smile Of satisfied happiness, as, leaning
ing ON her husbands arm, she stopped
before the hut which was to be their fu-
ture home.
The miners hut became daily a more
happy abode; the eyes of its inhabitants
were soon accustomed to the dim light
that had seeried 80 wrapt in darkness
when they first entered the mines, gradu-
ally dawned into distiuctness and hight.
B'anea began to look with real pleasure
on the walls and rude furniture of her too
narrow rom. She had no time to sp,nd
In useless sorrow, for she was continually
employed IN the necessary dutIes of her
situation; she performed with cheerful
a'acrty the most menial offices, she re-
paired her husbands clothes, and she
was delighted if she could sometimes take
trouI MI old shelf one oil the few books she
had brougnl wsIr. ner. Ine uays pass.u
Oh rapidly, and rs the young pair ku.lt
down, at the elVse Of every evening, their
praises and their thanksgiviugs were as
ferVant AS their prayers. Ernest had not
been surprised at the high and virluous
enthusiasm which haG enabled Biauca to
support, al first, all the severe trials thew
underwent without shrinking; but he was
surprised to find that in the calm, and
dull, hopeless cain, ol undlminished hard
ship, her spirit never sank, her sweetness
oi temper and unrepining gentIeness rath-
er increased.
Another trial was approaching. BIZ
anca, The young and tender Blanca, was
About TO become mother; and one eve
mug, on returning from his work, Ernest
found his wife busi!y engaged with her
needle. He sat down beside her and
sighed; but bianca was singing merrily
aud she only left off singing to embrace
her husband with smiles, he though. the
sweetest smiles he had ever seen.
The wife Of one OF the miners whom
Blanca had visited, when lying i'll of a
dangerous di' ease, kindly offered To attend
her during her confinement and from
the arms of this woman Ernest received
his first born son, the child who, born un-
der different circumstances, would have
been welcomed with all the care and
Of noble rank. But he forgot this in his
ljoy that BaDca WAS safe, and stole on tip
toe to where she was lying. She had
been listening for his fooistep, and as he
approached he saw, in the gloom of the
chamber, her white arms streached to-
wards him.
Il have been thanking God in my
thoughts" said Blanca, after her husband
had bent down TO kiss her, "but am so
weak Dear Ernest, lie down beside the
oed aud ofer up my blessings with your
own. Surprising strength seemed to have
been gwen 10 this delicate mother by Him
who "tenpers the wind to the shorn lamb"
aud she recovered rapidly from her i'll
ness.
Shortly after this an express arrived
from Vienna inquiring il Albert or his
wife were still alive. A few hours after
another person arrived in the same haste,
aud on tie same erraDd, they we're, the
one a near relation Of Blanca, the othe,
Alberti's ieIIow-Soldier and most intimate
friend. Pardon had at length been grant
cd 10 The young exile. at the petition Of
the genersl officer whom he had wound.
ed; and Alberti was recalled by the EN-
press herself TO the Court Of Vienna.
! The beacr Of these happy tidings inn
me,iiately descended into the minus. AS
they approached Alberti's hut, the light
which glimmered through some Of the
aperturss in the shattered door, in,lueed
them to look at lie inmates before they
entered. Though dressed in dark,
soarse garment, and wasted away 70 An
si'nOst incredible siightas.., .sill enough