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

him, but she had given her orders, "not
at home; it would bc fully half an hour
before she could put herselfin presenta-
BILE condition, and by that time Brdget's
tib would be spoken-Herbet would be
gone-and what next2 thought the mis-
cradle Sophy, as, wringing her hands with
vexatien, she awaited, with her ear to the
stairway, the opening of the door. Slip,
slap, again, went the clumsy shoes; the
door was opened and voice-that voice
asked pleasantly-"is is Miss st. James at
homc?"
"Plaze yer honor, Miss Sophy bees out"
blunted forth Bridget, determined to do
the thing up handsomely and have no
suffering about it; but "murder will out"
and the blush of conscious guilt that rose
to the girls face would have said plainly,
if blush could speak-"it's no such thing,
yer honor"
"Out 2" repeated the young gentleman,
with an enquiring look-"out! are you
sure"
Bridget saw in a moment that it be-
hooved her to bring some more convincing
proof than her own word, to maintain
"lndede, sir, it's sure l am; and if yer
don't b'lave me it is up stairs you may
be. afther goin' an see if she won't tell
yer so herself"
This was the most unluckie3t cut of al;
Sophy, at the head of the stairs, waited to
hear no more, but rushing into her room
she flung herself upon the floor, in an
agony Of humiliation, pitifui 10 behold.
ITO tell Hubert that" she exclaimed,
passionately; "Oh ! the wretchcd fool that
she is-that am myself! what wiH he
think (! what shall dol"
"ln the meantime Hubert by the light
of the hall lamp, was writing few words
upon card. He expressed to Miss st.
james his regret at not seeing her, and
stated that he was to leave town the next
day, and had taken long walk through
the storm for the purpose of bidding her
good bye. Giving the card into the halds
Of Bridget, with the request that she would
deliver it to her mistress, he took up his
umbrella and departed.
The storm out dov,s, that battered tie
umbrellas and heads Of the poor pedes.
tridns was nothing to that which beset the
ears OF poor Bridget, upon the delivery of
| the card. For some days afterwards tra-
ccs Of the conflict were distinctly visible in
Sophy's haggard face and swollen eyes.
Huburt Roland, the yong gentleman
before referred to, was a person of rare
mental as well as personal attractions;
who, for some months past, had certainly
manifested great interest in Sophy; and,
rs he was the only one of all her admirers,
who seemed to regard her in any other
light than pretty butterfly, she had felt
something like gratitude towards him on
this account, and had taken some pains 10
display her better self when in his pres
cnce. The feeling with which she had
learned to regard him was different from
either admiration or respect, and one
which under the present circumstances,
threatened to be very dangerous to her
peace Of mind.
Several weeks Of intense anxiety to So.
ply passed away, during which no tidings
Of either aunt Sally or Mr.. Roland were
received. Thus, in continued round of
lamenta;ion on the part of our heroine the
season passed. The JohnsonS went to
Europe, and with them aunt Sally and
Debby Townsend; but the fate of Roland
was still enveloped in mystery.
Doubtful as to whether she would ever
hear from him again. Sophy's interest in
young Johnson, which was nearly equal
to that she felt for Roland, acquired new
zcst, and impaticntly she waited his return,
determined upon desperate siege Of his
susceptible heart.
Before the summer was over the absen.
tees in Europe returned. Aupt Sally's
health had failed rapidly, and she began
to talk Of making her will. Sophy com.
menced her attack upon the heart Of
young johnson; but the strong citadel
had been captured beyond all hope Of re.
covery 10y little Debby Townsend. This
last hope crushed, Sophy began to turn
her attention to better things; and in q
spirit Of forgiveness, called once upon aunt
Sally, to enquire after her health but the
old lady, formidable to the last, jumped
from sick bed and beloved down the
stairway such tremendous mot at home"
that the discoInitted Sophy never made
the attempt again.
This was the last act Of aunt SalIy's
valor; in few weeks death put an end
TO her vengeance and Sophy's expeeta
tions.
The old lady departed this life, leaving
one half of her enormous wealth TO be
given to charitable institutions, and the
other half to be divided equally between
young johnson and Debby Townsend, in
case they married each Other. Tie Young
compile thus refened to, nothing 10th,
(Which aunt Sally was wise enough TO
foresee) we're shortly after made ne, and
entered with thankiul hearts, upon the en-
joyment of their property.
All this sad experience had, however,
taught Sophy a useful lesson. The dire
ful consequences to herself that had fol.
lowed little fashionable fib, that every
enc told with impuniiy but which she bad
paid with 70 severe a penalty, had awak-
ened in her train Of thought to which
she had formerly been stranger, and
aroused her Ocmpletsly from her untidy,
..,S,ss.