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

CHAPTER I'LL.
VOLUME v.

= About half a milo east Of Milcolmyille,
is situated 8 cottage Of singular beauty
and ncatness. lt is true til. house itsel,
i. not fashioned after any particular style
of architecture, and even the mater al for
Its construction is rather of a cheap and
ordinary description; anl vet the taste
displayed in tituns it up and the cvi,ien,
sir Of ueatness and order clearly percep,i
BILE in It's external appearance, would lead
the observer 10 conciuIe thai lis occupants
were persons OF no mean origin and stand
ing. The grounds too are tastefuIly AMI
regularly had of, and flowers of every hue
aud variety, attract the eye in passing from
the gate 10 the from, step, of the little
co,;tg.. There are but fur rooms on
the lower floor, aud the one to the ey
,rcme left, which is iiltcd up as parlour,
is the one into which We design 10 intro
dute the reader.
Ihctc are but two persons in Ia room
ore We recognize AT a glance, the other
Is stranger; bnt one, nevertheless,
whose extreme and singular beauty cx.
cites our highest admiration. She is a
young lady, apparently about eighteen
Years of age. We arc 10th to attempt
description Of her person, as any enco
mimns from III, will doubtless f,l Ear
short of her real attractions. Ii is a su-
galar type of beauty; one not born TO
contend with the re e.lities Of life, but like
n fragile flower, would seek to cniwine
its tender petals around a stcrner aud
stronger Object. She is rather below the
medium height, but her form is parfcc,ly
symmetric',l, light, fairy.like and graceful.
Her complexion is altogether f,ir-of a
beautiful transparent hue, and hair also
light. TO fault, which hung in haxcn
clusters around rcck of alabaster white
ness. Her expression is perhaps more
attractive than ANY feature OF her person
varied AS the ", rkinss OF her inward
,hopshts-bcCutiin in its extreme SIM
plieity, and fascinating, as i, were, iyrcsist.
IDLY.
There was nothtng in her appearance
that would inspire an rpnprcjadiccd obSer-
Yer, with the belief that the higher quail.
tics ,of mind aud energy, that must ever
be appreciated in wowan, after time has
robbed her Of the more snowy attractions,
were very forcibly developed; but she had
that which would inspire the youthful and
higi-minded student with deyout alora-
ition--a generous impulsivencss, 4. gentle
aud unaffected manner and fascinating
person, which however well his reflective
: faculties might adm pnish of being charms
adapted only for day yet with all tho
eau,ion that prudence may suggest, i,
sometimes happens that the man OF learn
ing and talent. IS utterly incapable Of sha
king of the superior power OF beauty.
This Young lady that We have endeav.
ored to describe, was the 5etrothed oi
Edward Malcolm, who was her compan.
ion on the morning subsequent TO hi. NJ.
rival ut home. Itwas easy to pirceiye by
the manner Of each, and the zcst with
which they enjoyed each others 80,
eiety, that they Were lovers. Each per.
haps, in the presence Of the other, forpo.
the dark prospects that overshadowed
their future, but which, when abseat, wa.
the greatest bspe Of their existence.
q Mrs. Edwards, the owner CT this litils
cottage, was widow iads who had once
moved in higher circles, aud whom mis-
iPrtune had reduced from an enviabIe and
afnaent position, to ber present humble
and quiet life. Her husband. who hal
Z been dead for several years, formerly did
business in the neighboring town Of c.
aud Mt the time OF his death, was reputed
as one Of lis wealtbicst merchants bu,
like in many similar instances, the closing
q his affairs told different tale. The
loss OF fortuns was indeed heavy blow 10
Mrs. Edwards. She was naturally indo.
lent and desporaing. and at the same time
shc possessed a pride that abhored 4 state
Of dependence. Tho little that YEAS lef,
from the wreck Of her husbands fortunes
would not allow her 70 keep pacs with
her fSsliionable acqusiusanees' and il wa,
fepugnant 70 her feelings, TO descend TO !
lower station thsp That which she had for.
mel'y occupied. In this dilemma hs, h.
hienos procured f,r her this Iittla COZ, 40,
90 Che Hudson, as rs rss;rs,nent : !.
more congenisi % her kel;nns tlan ~ =
inferior station in tho city. shc nd -