The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-11-12

their melodious singing, that three persons
were gathered around the sick bed of Will
lie. They contested of Reynolds, the ply
sc'an' and the mother and sister of the lit
tic sufferer Mrs. Gray sat near his bed,
sobbing convulsively, while Ellen was gag
ing with fearful eyes upon her dying brother.
Reynolds was bending over the the couch,
his fine face expressive of the utmost sym-
patty.
Oh, tell me truly, is there indeed no
hope for my darling Willie" exclaimed
Mrs. Gray, in tones of the deepest anguish.
The physician mournfully shook lis head
as he felt the pulse of the sufferer. The
mother fully understood that silent answer.
With wild cry, she sprang from her seat,
while light, bordering on insanity, bIazed
in her eye, as she exclaimed, in startling
voice
| "Oh, heavens do you mean what YOU
say? Cannot my Willie be saved !"
My God i! she is growing insane! ex
claimed the physician, as Mrs. Gray wildly
tossed her arms about, exclaiming
Save my child Oh, can you not save
my chiId!'
Compose yourself, dear mother" cried
Ellen, as she strovc to lead her to seat
But Mrs. Gray broke from her. and wildly
rushed about the room, half shrickino.
Save my darling; oh, save my little VIII
lc-tliey shall not tear him from me?"
"lour Child can be saved upon one con.
d'tion" f" exclaimed a deep voice. and tile
next moment, tall dark looking stranger
entered the room. Ellen and the youpc
pl'ysic!*" instantly recognized in him the
same individual whom they had met in their
walk, few weeks previous.
WHO are you, and by what right have
you entered herel' inquired Reynolds, an
grily.
"Ol', save my child; can you save my
child 2" exclaimed Mrs. Gray, imploringIy.
Yes, madam, can, but it shall be upon
one condition, and that ia, when the boy is
well, this lady (pointing to Elem becomes
my BRIDE"
Ellen started back, and became as pale
as death. Reynolds could no longer con-
ccal his Indignation, and in a stern voice be
babe the stranger leave the house.
"No! no" exclaimed Mrs. Cray" he has
said that he can savo my child" And
while speaking she looked imploringly at
Ellen.
Young lady, you had better give your
consent" said the stranger; if that little
boy dies, your mother will become a raving
maniac"
"Oh, heavens, it is a dreadful sacrifice.-
Can Can consent" cried Ellen, in agon-
izing tones, while she looked alternately at
the wild haggard countenance of her mother
and that Of her lover.
"Time presses" said the stranger; in an
other hour, If you decide not, your little
brother will be no more, and your mother
a maniaci
"Ob, what shall do Z" cried Ellen, as
she met the mournful gaze of her lover.
"EIlen," said Reynolds, after moments
pause, have but little faith in this mans
promises. That your mother will become
maniac when William dies, is, alas but
too true; but
"Oh, Ellen Ellen r. exclaimed Mrs. Gray,
"can you hesitate! No, no, you are not
my daughter-you cannot be-you will
look on and see my poor Will perish ~
And she wrung her bands in anguish.
This was too much for poor Ellen. She
saw notbing-nobody-but her mother,
about to become victim TO insanity, and
family murmured "Yes--I--I consent" came
from her lips. The next moment, she sank
senseless in the arms of young Reynolds.
He bore her into another room, and pro-
ceeded to apply such remedies as would re-
store her to consciousness. AS soon as they
had left smile Of fendish triumph lit the
dark countenance o! the stranger, and,
drawing small phial from his pocket, he
advanced to the bedside of the little sufferer.
L'it'ng Ills head from tie pillow, lie applied
the neck Of the bottle to the parcI'ed lips of
the sick child, and poured few drops Of
the liquid it contained down his tbroat.-
The effect Of this medicine was almost in
stantly apparent. The breathing of the
child became easier, and, with sweet
smile, lie stretched out his little hands and
murmured the name" Mother"
Mrs. Gray sprang TO the bedside, and
kissed him again and again, while tie tears
of joy gusl'ed from her eyes.
Madam" said the stranger: the cure
is efected-your child will be as well as
ever in a week from tie present time-,l,en
shall come and claim my bride"
Having uttered these words the mystesi.