The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-01
SELECTED TALES.
[From the Waverly Magazine.
THE RECT0R'S DAUGHTER.
BY THos. p. MITCHELL.

1t was a cold night; the library shut
E ters ratified so as 70 make us nervous
but we pressed the strong iron bars over
them, and then We could listen to the
wind with less disturbance; and wild,
strong wind it was, too. Now and then
II would 60 ou. in mad shrek upon
the night watchers, like the wall Of a
mother over her lost boy-that wall of y
crushed hope. Fitfuly at first, as if the
weep.r dared not weep aloud, then more
distinct, until it sweled into q thrilling
wall that made one start with fright !;
and then it would die away family, as il
the heart were breaking, aud life had de.
parted with the last notes Of that sad,
plaintive voice.
There is an old tree above the wing
that contains the library, and we-that
is, Willis and l--could hear il tussliu4
with that mad wind. like human being
struggling with some bitter foe. We bad
listened to II an hour or more in perfect
silence. ] was writing by the freight,
and paused to listen, when it ceased. |
looked for my companion; he stood by
the window that overlooked the village
road; he had opened one Of the shut
tiers, and was gazing out into the night
"There he goes! the spirit Of the
storm"
As he spoke, there was bright fash
Of lightning, and / stood by his side
watching the village road. 1t WAS
quick, anxious glance, yet saw black
horse and its rider dash maily over the
old bridge; the hext moment they were
lost in the darkness. Then followed a
crash Of thunder that shook the earth
itself, and then went rolling away among
the mountains; now louder echoing from
some cliff or mooring, through some far.
of glen, until it died away, and stiffness
ensued, more sublime than the voice that
preceded II.
"Did you know Aline Loidi She
grew up while you were away. She was
beautiful, proudly beautiful, with her dark,
mournful eyes, and pale features, and her
fom-it WAS so light and graceful. And
very kind and gentle, too, was Aline-
ever by the sick couch Of some poor
stranger, or aiding the poor stranger on
his lone pilgrimage; and l verify believe
there was not an old man in The village
who did not dream Of her when he dream
ed Of angels in heaven. Never was there
one more beautiful than Aliue--none
save one."
Willis paused for an instant, as he ut
tered that last sentence, and saw shade
Of suppressed grief pass, like cloud in
swift wind, across his face. / knew
that he stood in the presence Of holy
vision. And, As the past went before
him with stately tread and solemn mien,
as the loved past ever goes before us in
these latter years, turned away my face
and left him to the communion OF that
sweet dream. lie remembered the story
he was telling no longer; he remembered
only that vision; long years since, he had
buried it out Of his sight; he heard the
wind DO longer ; lie heard only that low
voice, now musical with laughter, now
with song.
AS natural consequence Of her
proud posilion--fos she was the Rector's
daughter her singular beauty, Aline
Loid Was sometimes capricious aud proud.
She did not attempt to conceal her dis.
like for some Of the forward who pressed
their attentions upon her, or her disp!eas-
ure at an ill.expressed, or too open com.
plimeDt. How il was, know not /; per-
chance his silent admiration was better
suited to her taste; perchance from the
natural kindness Of her heart, that led
her to see the loneliness Of his, and to
compassionate the nervous tremor with
which her presence inspired him; for
these, or other reasons, she soon distin.
guished Oscar Lyle, and showed pleasure
in conyersing with him. They were
young then, very young, yet, ever after,
Oscar Lyle was her fayorite.
You might see them ary summer eve
ming, sitting side by side in the red twi.
light, talking as Familiarity ms brother and
sister of the future, and Of the past as
well. And then there was Aline's father.
. strong. fDe-looking man; aud good
old Col. GrasoD, who used 70 "drop in y
OF an evening, for pleasant converse.
Those were sacred hours for those two
ycupg hearts; yet, alas! the past never
comes back again. save 10 memory then
only 10 pain us with cad regrets Of dark
bours for some unkindly spoken word.
Sitting there in the old village ehufcb.
In the red light that fell Though the
stained glass windows--eye then ho felt
angels must be like AliDe Lcid, who, with
meek and reverent face. listened 10 the
words Of the good old Rector; he looked
not upon the cold world as il Is, but as ii
seemed.
How strangely our childhood shadows
iosth our htsf Il was May.day, and
Aline sas 10 be queen. AS they stole
out through the Old wicket, Lyle placed
wreath Of fowen upon her white brow,
tied With broad white ribbon. How
Al'ne thanked him with her smiles And
they were merry with their dance and