The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-04-02
CHAPTER Y.

Long alter the Senator had finished
speaking and lett he room, Edward re-
manned as if trap>@&ed to the spot, ar d in
an attitude expressive of the most pro-
found misery. Little did his father ina
glne that every word he had uttered
had fallen like molten lead upon the
heart Of his son. Minutes passed, and
even hours sped, and tue youth remained
as his father had left him but at length,
making an effort TO arouse himself, he
arose to his feet and left the room with a
manner Sd detected and sorr. .wful, as
might have moved the pity Of the most
callous and obduratc. The unusual alb.
straction of his manner was remarked
by the whole household whenever he ap-
peared, which was seldom on that day.
On the following day, about the hour
corresponding with the time that the con
ference was held on the day previous, he
approached bis father and asked him TO
repair to the library. Mr.. Malcolm i'm
mediate!y accedcd, not Only feeling anx +.
ious in regard to the reply bis son would
make to his proposal Of yesterday, aut he
was at loss 10 account for his unusually
detected appearance.
Ills anxiety, however, was by no means
apparent. The same ease and grace OF
manner, and apparent paternal solicitudc,
was exhibited rs on tho day previous
and with an encouraging gesture he inv;.
ted hls son to proceed. Edward beg an
thus:
81 will not attempt, my dear sir, to
disguise from you the fact, that YOU. com.
munlcation OF Yesterday has thrown tue
into state Of mind that is anything but
cnviaLle. Had you acquainted me with
these circumstances at AN earlier period,
that which has really happened, and
which now ovcrwhclms me, might have
been guarded against. But, sir, the delay
has been fatal ~
Edward paused TO glance at his father;
hoping that some encouraging look might
greet him but on the contrary he en-.
coun,ered a dark trown, which to him was
ominous Of ey!. This however, did no,
dismay him. The coming storm whicl,
had begun To iluminc the features of the
parent, had been slightly, but unconsci.
ousIy, and sympathe,caIly perhaps, diff:
fused through the feelings Of the son. lie
had inherited portion of the naughty
pride of the father, with larger share of
the mldness and angelic purity of the
mother. lie resumed in perhaps a little
less concliaiory spirit.
~ may as well, sir, refer at once to the
position which | occupy, without entering
into details Of, an affair Of the heart
True, many cNtenuating circumstances
connected herewith, might be plead in
my favor, but | fear land say it with all
due dciercmce, my dear sir) that your char
acteristic dignity Of thought and dcmcan.
or, may not permit you TO properly appre.
catc defence, that perhaps wodId plead
moro directly to the softer feelings Of the
heart than to the more logical reasoning
Of the head
81 admire your candor, sir" replied the
Ssnator, land in regard to coming TO the
point at once, l agree with you that it
would, BIG preferable in. tie present in
stance. You will confer favor By spar.
ing all unnecessary details
"Well SIR, to he brief" rtsumcd Ed.
ward "l will state that the grief whicl,
yonr communication Of yesterday occasion.
ed me, was owing entirely to the appre
tensions icltin regard 10 the manner in
which you would prohably receive m,y an
swer. Personally, felt no ambitious re.
gret at not being able to carry out your
!lattering anIic'pations, IIhe. splendid, al.
llance-tha wealthy lonors and distin-
gushed prospects lave no charms for me,
and coald with your consent, we'd the
choice Of my heart, my cup OF ambition
would be full"
You | romised, sir, to he brief" said
Mr.. Ma!eo!:'i and il, IS year language
would imply, you have entangied yourself
in any diSgraccfal connection, beg to
know it at once"
II DO not know sir" answered Edward /;
what you would term disgracciul con-
nection, but II promising TO wed, as have
done, one OF the purest and best of human
beings, and one whose only crime is ;hat
| OF not having been born to the inherit.
ance OF wealth and, aristo :racy say il
that constitutes disgracefu entangle-
ment, then SIR, am indeed disgraced; but
IT is disgrace and degradation that will
glory in submitting 10, and ali the taunts
| and sneers Of purse-proud ajstocracy,
| cannot elicit from me anything. but the
most profound contempt"
This language Of Edwards was by no
means calculated to aIlay the angry feel.
ings that were brewing ia the breast OF
the Senator. Said he, with smolhered