The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-01-16
CIIRISTINE;
OR.
WOMAN'S TRIALS AND TPIUMPUS. i
Br LAURA J. CURTIS,
lC0NCLrDlp PROM LAST wrIkl

~ '"e'' '"e'' "as rap at heT uDNr, a
srran: cnttrcd with her breakfast. She
! could not taste it, but allowed it 10 remain
funtouched, where the waiter had 'bWcyd
it. a half horir haA passed, aud nov
came summons TO 20 to Mrs. Fro;h;ue.
hams apartment.
She foll' wed mechanically, and was
usherel into tarkencl room. where for
The first few minutes, she could distinguish
nothing.
The door closed behind her. and she
stood silently there--w whether alone or no.
she hardly knew. As her eyes grew more
accustomed TO the light, she saw her aunt
dressed in dark, heavy robes, sitting at the
farther end Of the apartment.
Obeying her first impulse, sle sprany
forward, threw herself at her aunt's fee,
and without being able to speak, hurst in.
to flood of tears.
Mrs. rockingham waited On the vio-
lcnce of Caristine's grief had subsidized ,till
her tears were spent. and only a suppress
sed sob escaped her ut intervals; then she
spoke:
81 am ready to hear your confession.
Rapidly the whole scene Of the pas,
night fitted through the gi,rs mind.
What could she say ,rullfullv without be-
'rsying Annie Nothing; and with cho-
king voice she exclaimed" +" What shall |
say ~
Say" repeated Mrs Frothingham.
Tel the truth. girl, where you got this
"xccrable hook--teIl the whole story i'm
media,ely.'
The book IS not mine replied Chris
tine.
WHO lent ], to ytu!' asked Mrs Fso;b-
ingham.
Nobody. Il was h6t1cni to me- sob.
bed Christine. checking herself suddenly
aad bursting into tears.
What do you mean, girl 7" asked Mrs
rockingham, stcrnly. "po Won think 7
/ am to sit here and crnss.quesiion YOU in
this manner! Go on at once; tell me what
you have done. Miss Durand has told
me her side Of the story: let me hear yours
and remember, no lie.! r. YOU donot wish
10 incnlpaie the one who furnished you the
book, you need not now--tlat is not the
point Confess at once your fault; tell
me what excuse y0G have TO 6tIer and be-
cir.
"lnave nothing 20 confcsS--uo excuses
to make s,s Christine.
Nothing to confess !" repeated Mrs.
Froihingham in voice of indignation.
Did you not read this book last night af.
ter the hours When we allow no lights to
burn; thus breaking the rules, and when
discovered, cndeavored to foign sleep
"No ma'am.' sobbed Christine.
"Whatw calculated her teacher, "you
dare to deny it all! What explanations
have you to offer, ,hien, Of tho appearsn-
ces so much against your
"None,' replied Christine. Mrs. Fro,h-
ingham 8 eyes flashed; her lip curled, rs
she gszed on the proaitate form Of the girl
who unable to endure her gaze, buried her
face 10 her hands,tl,en rising, she touched
A
her contempiuously with her foot and ex.
claimed, "Begoner'
stung To the quick by this treatment /,
Christine clung eonvulsiveIy to her aants
robe. which swep, BY her, exclaiming, Oh
Aunt Julia, do not SO utterly despisc me |
| confess haze done wrongg"
The words, indistincily uttered as they
were, amidst sobs and ,oan.at once ARES
ted Mrs. frotbihgham's attention. She
paused, and asked quietly, Are you rca
dy,ihen,to admit your falsehood Ito make
full aud free coufessioni DO so, If you
would be forgive,."
"oh! would to Heaven that could! bu,
cannot, I cannot r esclxirned the poor
! ,gat aud, thinking this hesitation arising
only nom her ~ael % courage to syow
hes t.oli. aud li.;,istsd mora and more
with her halfeoniessiouiNn. Ffo,hioghmn
s,sn.l, .l.oes III sds grasp with Which the
| sgis ST.. c!uny % ss: ala. ~ u sse bad