The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-03-12

letter should be shown to Edward, as il
contains serious charge against him,
which do not hesitate TO pronounce false" {"
Mr.. f." said the major, much excited,
"if l were betting man, would venture
TO wager my entire fortune that this story
about 'an unsuspecting girl was gotten up
by bradsford, and was the main reason of
Ailce's sudden change toward Edward"
"Ihen, major, think that he should be
allowed an opportunity Of defending him
sell from so foul a stain upon his fair char.
acter at once"
III dare not show him the letter, Mr.. F.
IN his present state Of mind; it would do
more harm than good"
"Tben, sir, shall inform Edward myself,
and abide the consequences, be they what
they uayw
"Wha," exclaimed the major, rising
from his seat and looking me full in the
face, "do you mean to labor thus for blood
shed and-pshaw! don't be rash, boy!
What possible good can you accomplish by
telling this to Edwards"
"Why, major" said l, "you surprise me!
You certainly would not allow Alice to en-.
tertain such an opinion Of Edward, and
know it to be false, and yet not undeceive
her, or allow Edward TO vndicate his char.
acter?"
"Mr. F., will tell you how shall act in
this matter: | shall speak to Alice about il
tomorrow, and endeavor to ascertain if this
cruel charge against Edward was the cause
OF her mysterious change towards him. If
lind that it is, shall write to her father
Tor particulars, which will enable me to in
vestigate the matter myself, and vindicate
Edwards name. IfMr. w. refuses to give
me the necessary particulars, shall show
this letter to Edward, and abide all conse.
quences."
Major" said l, "do you think Edward
knows anything of this ma,terl"
81 do not" replied the major, "for in all
his conversations with me about Alice, he
appears exceedingly anxious to know if she
has ever mentioned any good reason for
her change"
Poor fellow"
True! such man deserves pity, for he
has been wronged most outrageously."
"Can we no nothing for him, major?
Suppose we make the attempt"
No, Mr.. F." replied the major. chat
would be the height of folly on our part;
tor, take my word for it, these interferences
do more harm than good, however we'll
meant"
was much surprised on my return to
the party to find Edward apparently enjoy
ing conversation with one Of the ladies.
1t was very evident, however To a close OBJ
server, that he was merely playing a part
1t will not be of any particular interest
to my readers, or ! would dwell upon the
events of the evening" bat they were mere.
" such as generally take place at large
and fashionable party. About midnight
The company dispersed, and by the time the
old town clock struck one all was silent
was busiy engaged in packing my trunk
AS then intended TO leave sometime dur
ing the next day
What an adventure have | passed
through IN $" ! said to myself, as
took seat beside the opened window
and looked out upon the stars
(Which the poetry of IIeay'n"
Then | thought of Edward and Alice, and
wondered, until heart grew weary, how |
could bring them together once more and
forever.
Suddenly there broke upon the silent
night piercing shrek OF unulterable hor-
ror, which reverberated throughout the
old mansion like that Of lost spirit. |
sprang to my feet, the hearts blood chilled.
when louder still arose that shrek. Then
| heard the slammihg of doors, and the
patter of feet in the hall, accompanied bv
the sound of confused voices, with alternate
shrieks of several female voices. | opened
my door just in time to hear several voices
exclaim: "Firel Fire! FIRE!'
Quick as thought | rushed out of nv
room into the passage way, and, almost sui-
located by the smoke, endeavored to find
my way down the stairs into the dining
room. had scarcely put my feet upon
the last step when the flames burst out be.
hind me, and completely wrapped the en-
tire stairway in fire. The old major threw
his arms around me as / entered the din
ing room, and exclaimed:
Thank God! you are safe"
Then, Oh! then arose heart chilling
shrek from the story above US, which hor-
rtied our very souls.
Ills Alice!" exclaimed Bradsford rush.
ing from the room, and making his way for
the stairs.
~ i""t seeH siraiBe 10 tnoSe OF my read
ers who have never been under the infu-
ences OF such circumstances, that we should
have forgotten Alice SO long; but those who
have passed through such scenes before will
readily understand how it may have taken
place.
The alarm of fire now became general,
and the tinkling Of the engine bells, and
the quick strokes from the surrounding
church steeples, soon drew out the entire
male portion Of the little town of $.
The old majors fine mansion was now al.
most entirely enveloped in one living sheet
of flame.
The house had been vacated by all but
Alice and Bradsford, for whose safety the
major and myself trembled as we stood on
the opposite side Of the street.
Suddenly n deafenino shout uos ro;eoJ