The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-01-09
rockingham immediately on her rising

not; oh, do not. Lam innocent. indeed I
am began Christine, in the mos. suppl.
eating tones, and wringing Ter hands in
anguish.
The teacher Looked .t her with cool
contempt. i shall 10 ny duty, Mis-. Fl.
lot she replied.
Rise and put out your light now she
added, and rs christine obeyed, she liled
s!e book from the floor saying, 4 will
take this valuable volume with me, and
think, perhap.. now you may Be trusted
10 retire again. left the room.
Tho instantthe door closed aiter her.
Chri',ine fel, herself encircled by soft arm.
'nd Armies sweet voice whispered, 'Heav-
ems. how horrible have been frightened:
Every moment expected those Argus
"y's of Miss Durand would SPY me out
osh:nl the curtain. and tremSled SO lest
yon should say something that might lead
10 my discovery. IdiIn't believe that
7oa would betray me Intentionally, Chris,
dear; but taken SO by surprise rs you
"ere, / was terribly frightened lest some
isgasried word should slip out. But
va have saved me, best, deares, Of
Sricnds'
Christine withdrew herself from Aunie's
embrace, and exclaimed. Gould you then,
ay in your hiding place, and hear mo
charsed with YOU fault, yet nslie no ei.
for. to sh itld me. Annie Murray, would
aot hare believed i, Of you. did nos
know where you. did not know where
you were: but to think that you were in
tho room and saw and heard it ali with.
our one word to save me. Oh, Annie.
Annie! And thought you were my
i-iendv
Annie's only reply was food Of tears.
Christine's heart softcned at the reality of
the girls distress.
':Poor child!' she said, gently. DO
not take what have said too much to
heart. Iva. hasy-iknow it was: sou
we're 90 stuPifiej. 20 taken By surprise, you
could not speak; you not YOURSELF but to.
morrow YOU will confess it all.
'Ch, Christine, cannot; hate me-des-
iise me ~ despise zysslf-but cannot
10 it; it would kill me. The very idea of
meeting Ms. Frothngham's stern eye
nearly drives me frantic, and, worse than
that. tie disgrace. AM no favori,e Of
hers. You have no idea how long my
mother tried to get ma, here; and now, if
should be sent home, aud l dare say
Mrs. FrothinghaG would be only TOO glad
Of The excuse, my mother would never for.
give me.
oh! Christine, you 60 no. know what
you AK Of me. Besvay me il you will.
cannot proven, it. But no, Go not,
cannot believe that you will ruin your
foor Annie-you can save ne; she is your
aunt, and you will receive nothing than
rcprimsud, while should be disgrace,l
forever. o.! Christine you will no: be.
tray me-"
Her vuic. WAS full Of agony, chokcd
with sobs, and ever and anon she paused
to try to keep back the tears which size
ao"!d not restrain; the scaljng drops fell
N Christins's hand, which she chung to
convu'siveiy, ~ ifto lose her hold Of that
WA to lo.c all hope.
Christine could hear it no longer An.
ris had been kind to hey, and shs blam.
sd herself for her own want Of frmness 70
which she attributed the whole misfor-
tune.
"Annie. said she. II promise you
sill not bstray you.'
Then. ~ Annie began to shower cares
seasand thanks upon her, she pushed her
gently away, saying, II cannot bear that
60 now, and leave me 70 my fate.'
II do not blame yos,' cried Annie, hum
by. II dcspise myself for my weakness.
!.ut you. 50 bold. 30 brave, cannot know
ho~ dresdfu'ly I suffer-
"tio,' was Chri.sine's only reply. and in |
moment she was alone.
Alone with her to'men.ing thought.
and self rep'oaches; ~esry Of the long
uight hours, tossing rcstlssslv on her couch
yet dreading the morning wl,en size mus,
face her aunt. Imagining tie interview;
by turns shrinking from tho ides Of it, or
longing to bave it over, or falling into an
uneasy sleep, to wake With 4 start from
Dreadful dreams. only to reaI'ze that more |
dreadful things were in store for her in |
reality; Tor she bull. no false hope. on the |
bond Of relationship between her Judge |
and herse'f and At last, woru out 10y her |
foverish iossings on the bed, she roso dre.. |
sad hArAelf and naced nm ard Ao-. L.