The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-09-10
LANCASTER C. Ill., SOUTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY


some drops that stood on the table,
Leonard poured some from the phial and
administered them they seemed to revive
her. She spoke in a stronger voice, and
less interruPtedly.
81 saw him-the Marquis d., Yer
neuil."
The rillian!' groaned her brother.
ies-he is so Leonard, or he could
not have acted rs he has DONE" said Eu.
lalie, with strange calnness. ITO deceive
ayoung girl like me by false marriage,
and then desert her"
His life shall pay it, said Leonard, in
Toico OF agony"
Not So" cried Eulalie. "Would such
a revenge profit met Hear me, Leonard.
The hand of death is upon me, and, ere
die, l have boon to ask. But before |
name 1t, you must promise-promise Inc
solemn'y, on your knees, Leonard, and
before God, that you will never attempt
his i'!". Leave to the Almighty Judge
the punishment O! my wrong. Leonard,
aromiae me. 1t is Eulalie's last prayer
but ope."
Leonard hc.itated, but, adjurcd again
and again, h. knelt down and took the
required oath.
"Now hear me-" Said his sister, "ior my
strength is failing, and the moments are
numbered in which ! can speak at all.
saw the Marquis de Verneuil from yon
window. He drove past in his cnatiot
and beside him was seated bcauteous
lady, whom ! judged from the fond look
with which he regarded her, he means to
make his bride. Leonard, do not envy
her, bat is it wrong to wish that | could
leave the world as the wife, not as the out
| cast mistress Of him who once loved me
OF the rights of a wife have been cruelty
defSasdel-would he no, give them to
me Tor few moments should not ly,
TO delay his second nuptia!s. Oh, brother
would he not?"
The emotion that accompanied these
words showed how near her heart lay the
! request. Leonard answered not till she
had again urged it, ana besoughl him 10
make her death happy 10y bearing her pc.
ti,ion to the Marquis. The shades OF
evening were falinG-there WAS no time
to be LOST.
"Specd, brother" said the low plead.
ing voice Of Eulalie. "for sure | am, that
| to.morrow's sun will not behold me living
Bring him to my bedside, that may for
give him and be, cor but the closing
momcnts OF my lifc-his bride. Go, Le
onard, but whatever may happen, semem
Der your oath !"
And summoning the nurse to watch by
the couch of the dying girl, the young
man left his sister Oh his strange errand
To the Chateau dc Yerneull, some milca
distant from Paris. To the buraing i'm.
patience Of his spirit, the feet horse h,
rode went slowly and though vet early
in the evening it seemed To him tha,
hours passed before lie reached the chat.
eau, His horse was wet with foam as he
dismounted ut the gates. Those gates
were not solitary group Of gallant
steeds were led to and fro 10y gaily dressed
meaial, aad one or Two lately arrived
guests. with rustling plumes and broider,
ed mnniles, were admitted rs he approach
ed. Light streamed from the diamond
shaped panes of the castle, and rich musiS
iloa'ed on the sis. The young Marqui.
held sumpinous feast, and entertained
the aris,acracy Of Paris. For an instant
there was pause in the music; some
toast was proposed; then there WAS a
burst Of applause, presently drowned in
the rejoicing Glamour Of cymbol, and bu.
gle, and ke,tlcdrun.
/, was n splended banquet in truth, no,
only in tie the yiands aud CHOICE wines
bnt in the Wit and courtly gaiety Of that
festive company. The soul OF their mirlh
the insprel and presidiag genius Of the
reyelry, was the Marquis himself. The
hulnor Of his jes $ was the most exquisite
part Of the entertainment. There was not
shade on his face to show that aughi
Of sadness had ever maTred the fash ol
bis laughing eve; it was not in natures
like his to feel any portion Of the woe hi,
reckicssnesa indicted upon others,
The revelry was at its height. and The
gay host was about 10 challenge fresh ad
aairation by some new brilliant speech
when sesvant whispered in his ear, and
informed him a young man had arriyed
| express from Paris, and deiaa nded 10 sec
him Instantly. Tue Marquis sent his va.
let TO question the stranger, and finding
that bis business was not Of q political but
a private nature, and probably such as did
not particularly concern DE yerneuifs in
tercsts--this was an inference Of the valet.
on observing the humble exterior Of lhS
young s,udeat--the Marquis returned an
swer that he could not now be disturbed
and directed the stranger TO communicat,
his errand TO the confidential servant.
Leonard bit his lips I'LL the blood came
as the man delivered his reply; then tax
ing pencil and paper FROM his pocket
he wrote q few l,Grried lines TO the Mar
quis--informing him Of the dying prayer
Of Eulslie Roster, and imploring him (fol
his sisters sake Leonard stopped to en-
treaty. to lose not moment, as she coalC
not survive the night, 10 doing justice tc
his victim. No man could resist such ar
appeal! thought Leonard, as he gave hi
note to the valet. The man at first refus
ed to disturb his master again but moyet
lhy the youths evident distress, he at las