The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-06-13
LNCASTER c. H. SOUTH CAROLINA MORNING. JUNE 49, 1856

cheek And / will place it on my heart;
and it will keep it always warm for you.
Don't cry, Ally dear, for the tears were
dripping down my checks, as took Aunt
Mary's garden scissors, which she had in.
advertantIy left on a rustic bench under
tile tree, and severed the tress.
"rll come back to you when I've grown
to be somebody you'll be proud Of" and
his form dilated. "But hark there
comes the stage,and Aunt Mary is calling"
and the tears trickled on his heavy lash
es, rs he run towards the house.
"Good bye, Ally"
"Good.bye, Harry"
We stood under the small vine wran-
ped portico; and he kissed me twice and
then ran hastily towards tie gate, for the
driver was late and cross. ] heard the
rumbling Cf wheels, and saw through nv
tears the floating Of handkerchief: and
Harry Willard WAS gone, and the red
house down the road was desolate.
4
Eight years had passed since that NOR.
ming when Hrnr, Willard and murmur
ei our fearful farewell under the vine
wrapped portico. They had not all been
bright years to me; there was a great
shadow trailing through the later ones,
until this was lost; shadowed up in dark
ness, the darkness Of death!
Our home, our darling cottage home,
went 'irst. Henry the former owner Of
the place, was hard man, and the bill
of sale was lost, so it fell into his hands I
Aun, Mary struggled very hard to bear
up under this blow; but it was very heavy
one. leaving the home Of her fathers and
after it she always smiled sad, patient,
heart-hr"ken smile, that brought the tears
into my ewes, and said Gods will bs
done -..
Her health, which had been failing her
Tor long time, gave way at last. There
cam" another Autumn day; and the wind
sighed through the tangled grass Of the
rhurchyyard; and the SUNLIGHT glmmcred
along the white marble just as it had
done in day far down in my memory,
when they laid Aunt Mary under the
willow to sleep
After this, l'too, was i'll for long time
with fever, and some kind neighbors
took me to their homes, and watched over
me during that long illness almost az ten
derly as Aunt Mary would have done.
My father had widowed sister who re-
sided at the capital, and of whom sci.
dom heard but knew that Aunt Marv
had written her few days before she left
me, although she did not reveal to me the
nature Of her communication.
But when | was able to sit up, they
placed a letter, in a strange handwriting
before me, it contained an invitation II
tiled to think it was cordial one) from
this aunt, to make her residence my future
home.
The kind family with whom l had re-
sided since my aunt's death were not
wealthy; and so, after many prophetic
misgivings, resolved to accept the home
which had been offered me. came TO
the city, reader, a lonely orphan girl,
without friend outside the little village,
which it almost broke my heart to leave.
But the proud mansion whose tall
stone front looked down coldly and stern.
ly upon me when | assended the broad
steps, and glanced up at it for the first
time, was no home to me. soon per.
ceiyed that my aunt and her two fair
naughty daughters regarded me as de.
pendent upon their bounty, whom it would
in no wise avail their interest TO recognize:
and sometimes wished that I was living
under the willow, close-oll! 30 very
close to Aunt Mary. May God forgive
me Ior was very wretched.
Then, lula, You are sure We may de.
pend upon his nonoring our soiree with
his presencei"
Perfectly 80, Annie. Mr.. Lee. who is,
You know, his most intimate friend, saws
wc may rely upon him for next Tuesday,
though he had to refas, several other in
vitations in order to accept ours. How
he is feted and worsbiped overy where
I'm sure | shall be grateful to Mr.. Lee fer
ever. And Anne I'm resolved that our
soiree shall be the most brilliant of the
season. So distinguished guest certain
ly demands an extra effort on our part.
dear me, Alice, l had quite forgotten your
aed the tone and the glance which &C
companied this remark were ample syi.
dence that the remainder was anytbino
but Agreeable To nv consin (tf .<,,..o