The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1855-01-17
The CONlQcddG.

| can hardly believe the story they
tell, Ned. You, Il strong, hearty, jov
al fellow, always up to mischief an
fun, dying for love? Bah it's all
Inuonshinc."
Spite Of his forged mir,h, the voice
of the speaker grew trcnu'ous. The
scorniul glance OF that dark eye un.
manned him. Was this but the
wreck Of what had been so noble, 50
beautiful! The sunkcn checks, the
claw like hands, that ilickrriny death
light, that unsteady glance Of the
death bloom-could this be all that
remained of SO much manly beauty!
"Iou never knew me, Marshali."
Ills voice was low and broken
81 never knew myself. was an
orphan; no one loved mr-sister,
brother, had nonc-and when my
heart first learned the meaning Of that
mighty passion which makes earth Il
Paradise, or dries those living springs
and grcenncss to deserts Of bairrl.ness,
feared for myself. But WAS not
happy. Dying ior owe, you SAY; il is
not that. The bit cr consciousness
that where looked for truth-tor
every divine virtue, found dupIici,y,
art, deccption-a withercd heart. bu
ricd IN IL whItcd scruIchrc-oh, heaven!
and hc hid his face in his wasted
| hands.
"My dear fellow, lie man; bear
up more bravcIy; do not, pray you,
die for the love OF silly girl.
"Shc was bcaut tul - continued
the sick man, "aud she taught ne to
h"pc-shc turned every strin. of my
heart till it would vibralc at her touch;
she lead every pulse till they bca,
only for her smiles. | know it was all
wrong Tor me To love her so, and yet,
isolated as | had been from inian,y.
now could help it! Whrn ihe bolt
| fell, it crushed me. May you never
know what it is 10 be dcccivcd--and
by one so lovely rs Helen Murray"
Again he had covered his face with
| his hluds. lie had not seen the con
vulsive start, the dcath-likc palor of
II friend. And when he said " good
night" twilight was falling, So ,Iat
they parted. and neither knew how
uIigh,ing were the words that fell on
each others heart
9 am beautiful J. said quccnly
| girl, as she stood before the mirror;
= beautiful without all these" ."-liliinr
\ pearl spray and Frightening with it
t'.r rich gloss of her brown linglet>:
! and circIlng her wrist and finger with
gems OF untold value.
81 Shall he queen nt' the b II room
tonight. Envlcd aud cou,,,d, and
not exactly happy. How exIuisitcly
rich this Iacc-poor Ned huiyho-
somehow what he sad seemed SO real
wish he had been rich, pour fellow !!
half believe love him better than
| think. even now !"
Miss Helen, are you ready p
Yes, coming, Linda-how do |
look! Is Harvey waiting! There,
take my bonnet and s!,aw!-carry
them down-l'll be there. Poor
Ned !! what makes me think of him
to night, ! wonder! When | think of
llarvey's proposal, and my brilliant
prospects in the future, seem to see
his ghost. Can he be dead! Was it
not very cruel in me to treat him SO!
| wish | could see him; will he be at
the ball, | wondcr!"
Thus soliloIuiZing, the fair, proud
girl hurried down to meet her lover.
RespIcndent rs sne looked, brwitchinr
as she knew herself, she Was startled
at his coIdncss.
lie came forward, took one white
hand, Sazcd at her from head to foot,
and witlla smile that seemed even to
her mockery, he said, in measured
tones, :" How beautiful you arc!" and
turned abruptly away.
For moment he seemed to have
forgotten himself, then hurriedIy per.
forming the Office Of gallant, he assist.
ed her into the carriage, and they drove
of.
1t was not before the brilliantly
Lighted ball room that they stopped.
No streams of anher light checked
the dim pavcmcnt-but all was still,
dark and solitary.
" For heavens sake, whcr, are we
going" Helen exclaimed, rs her
over made motion to leave the
carriage.
"To see q friend, my love-" he
answered in the sane freezing tones:
"you, whose heart is so tender that it
bIe,ds at the sight Of human misery,
will not, am sure, deny me your
company on the crrand Of mercy"
| Through Il long, dimly lighted
entry, the young man led her silently,
hurried;y "Pray to God it be not
too late, ho murmured, rs he stood
hesitating before half closed door,
} Suddenly it was opened 10 It's utmost,