The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-05-07

is all dream-a mere fancy"
"Do You say So Heleni" asked her hus.
band searchingly.
She colored deeply, over face and neck
and then replied firmly, "Yes, because !
have proved it."
Frank Benfield had n conversation with
Lady Helen, which more than ever harden
ed her against him, and made him leave
London to seek his mother, resolved TO
learn something from her Of his parentage.
She had hitherto evaded all his questions
on the subject, but now he has an object in
view, which, in spite of her coldness, nerves
him to press for the truth. She was living
by the seaside, whittier she had gone for
the benefit Of the health Of his sister Mary,
whose declining state her mother alone was
unable to perceive.
"Mother," cried Frank, 81 beseech YOU
to tell me who my father was-who YOU
yourself were previously to your marriage
with DIR. Thornton? If you retain the
slightest affection for me | entreat you to
do what ask; the happiness OF my life
may depend upon your answer"
lie waited for reply, but mono came
Her face worked convuisively for n mo.
ment, and then grew as calm and stony rs
before.
"Oh, mother, answer mel"
81 will, Frank-listen. From my lips
you shall never learn what you seek TO
know-neUcr; and none but mine can re-
veal it-none. Nay, listen further" land
there was passion and almost madness in
the glance with which she regarded him.
"if again you approach the subject, my
curse, boy, my bitter curse, shall fall on you;
Sc beware"
"Moiher," he urged hoarsely, "you do
not know 10 what misery you, are con
demning your son. BE mercful, implore
you"
"Are YOU a .se the sufferer, think youl
Bear your share, boy. He had no mercy"
she concluded wildly, and then, waving her
hand peremptorily, she said, "Go." Her
agitation was alarming 10 witness, and he
would have remained to soothe her, but
again she commanded him 10 be gone, and
sadly he obeyed
In the garden he met his sister, and for
q while his thoughts were diverted from
his own griefs by the shock he received at
seeing the ravages which a few weeks had
made on the young creature before him.
"Oh! Frank, my dear brother, how glad
| am to see you!' she exclaimed "Ilave
you come down to stay with us for some
timel hope SO. have been SO wishing
to see you; there is something want 10
ask you"
mo, dear Mary, I can only stay for IN
hour; | must return to town by the next
train: but tell Inc, dear chill, about your.
self, how you feel! Do you get stronger
here?"
THAT is just It. Frank-just what wan:
10 speak to you about. Come, let us sit
down quietly, and then shall be better
able to tell you. You know, my dear bro
! ther, how passionatelv our mother loves me.
have sometimes mourned over this blind
affection foy one so little worthy of such de
voton. Frank, have thought it sinful.
Sometimes lately have been almost Terri
fled at her outburss. One night since we
| came here, when she thought slept-but
don't sleep much dear Frank felt our
mother leaning over me; presently she kiss
ed me gently, and then murmured; "For
you, my precious, my darling, must go on
enduring" and shortly afterwards she
named some one-l could not catch dis
tnctly who-George, coupled with some
other name, and called him, almost iiercely,
the ruiner Of her peace. ] have been long
ing 10 tell you all this, and also something
else. Dear Frank" and her voice slightly
shook, "do you not see that ! am dyingl
DO not turn away, or seek to deceive me-
feel, too surely, that | am soon to leave
this earth; and it pains me that my darling
mother should no perceive how nearly my
a ia r,lI
much heavier il she is unprepared to receive
It, My dear father, see, expects ii; but
even he does not know how quickly the
last sands are running out. Do you not
think | should tell herr wish, dear bro.
ther, you could be at hand, 10 support me
by your presence, TO soothe and calm her
into resignation. You must console her,
you know, when am gone; and, Frank,
when am taken away, the scales will fall
from her eyes, and she will do you the jus.
lice which it has often grieved me, oh! so
deeply, TO see withheld. You will come
again soon--some very early day; for. re.
member, have little time to abide here,
and :hen / s!ial! ;slI her You will come,
will you not, dearest Frankl"
1t was almost relief to Frank Benfed's
pent up feelings TO hold his young sister to
his heart and weep. 1t seemed TO him, as
he did so, that every being whom he loved
was either TO be severed from him by
cruel fate, or cut off b. death The mother
| Of his earlier days, how changed was she
What could be that mysterious something
winch had arisen between theml The old
friend who had taken that parents place
also gone. OF Alice lie dared think no
more, and Mary, his dearly loved sister
about to sink permaturely to the grave
Long did he hold her in his arms, her pale
cheek resting on his shoulder. 81 shall
come, Mary dearest the day after to.mor-
row. Oh, my sister" he cried passionate.
ly, after he bad snatched n last kiss, "would
that 7, uncared for and an outcast, were to
be taken, and that you. the lirhl Of many