Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-02-24

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tremulous with deep feeling but the brilliant
and beautiful were with her."
"And she has forgotten me-" said the dying
Girl her tones plaintive with the grief Of first
neglect. II loved her too well So all earthly
loves perish only Heaven is real" And she
lifted the gentle eyes, on which hung, glitter
ing, the last dew of life's last day; henceforth,
they were to shed tears no more forever
"Harkn
"She lifted her head and looked forth eager
IL. Her mother entered, followed by Emily.
"Oh, bless you-bless you, sweet friend" !"
whispered the sick one holding forth her white
wan hands. "I did rot look for you now. How
kind YOU were to come, to come and see me
die, Emily"
@You are not so very i'll - cried Emily, sink
ING on her knees at the bedside. You must
get we'll and go home with me. You are stron-
ger than you think; You are frightened, my
| love-"
Look at me, Emiyr' exclaimed the dying
girl, with sudden energy DO you see any fear
in my glance? Oh, no! Why should fear
when am going home to my father. No, I
deceive not myself am very weak; feel how
my pulse is failing. But I ain so glad you arc
here See, Emily, here is our friend, our good
Emily dared scarcely raise her eyes. She
trembled in every limb; but when she found
courage to murmur welcome, she saw that
chanrc had passed over the minister's face. 1t
was not only pale. marble pale, but sad, as II
his heart labored with some great and deep sor
row. A mournful majesty seemed to sit on that
matchless countenance. And the look he gave
her, so indescribable, and yet so suddenly inter-
preted There was shame in Emilys heart
shame for the vain thoughts that night cherished;
shame that he, living above earth, as he seemed
to her. had seen her in the thoughtIesS, reVeIllng
throng, and deemed her happy.
"May we be alone. mothcr-kind Mr. Lima.
den?a asked Jessie, family smiling. =" 1t is SO
long since Emily was here, and have much to
say. Blessed mother !" she murmurcd IN an
unlertonc. sit is hard to leave her."
Both moved into the adjoining apartment
Emily at first grew faint with fear lest ere they
returned the spirit should be summoned; but
ticn the voice was so calm and steady; q flush
laid softly on the check; the eye, large and
hollow though it was, sparklcd with an intense
brightness. ,.,
| 'Emy dear, do you remember the little
church DO you mind how the summer sun
used to slant over the graveyard where we walked
in the calm evening with Mr. Linadrn? loved
that little church. l love to think how the ivy
twines over its door, green and bright, even this
winters morning. You know we both had
sweet little Sabbath.class. Matty and sunny
eyed Mary were in yours they are both in
Heaven
She paused q moment. Emily could not speak.
ave used to have such holy prayer.t;mcs;
and how softly and beautifully our dear minister
taught us of Hearen Oh, he has voice OF
music! Emily, he is almost an angel, some.
times think But away with earthly thoughts"
she said, a grieved expression stealing over her
face II wan, to say something mor, than this,
something to you; and what st"l! say? how
shall say it?'
"Say what you will, replied Emily in bro
ken voice; "rrpruve me. | am very sinful.
Tell me that have broken my vows, and de-
serve no mercy. need it all.
"Oh, Emily, YOU always seemed so full OF
goodness to me that perhaps ought not Still,
thoughts of oden times have been busy with
INV memory to-day. | recalled you. humble,
while vet SO gloriously beautiful, lamb-like in
gcntlcness; then | thought Of your sudden
wealth. You seemed to me standing on some
great elevation above all others and yet the
danger-thc danger of your fall from that dizzy
height. Dear Emily, forgive me for warning
YOU; but remember that | AIN this moment on
the verge of eternity"
"Say on my best friend, anl let me confirm
Your impressions. have not been happy since
| left this pleasant place--no, not fora moment
sand Linaden-does he know this Have
you seen him much p
"No no!' said Emily, shudlcring, for she
remembered where she had last met his gaze.
He, too, has forgotten Inc. ) Oh, sometimes
wealth is q heavy misery!"
"a great change has come over him." mur-
INJURED the dying girl, with an effort; sand
believe it is partly that makes him seem so much
above all others. Since you left, Emily, our
| blessed minister has been al altered man. Some
times, fancied he loved YOU, had spoken of
that love, and you had sighted him ) but no.
no-that cannot be. What woman, be she queen
or peasant, but would be honored by Linaden's
love? Oh, love for him must be almost wor-
ship!"
She had slightly raised her hands as she said
this. a deeper red diiluscd itself over her trans
parent cheeks; rapture too Intense for com.
mon friendship lighted up her glance. Emily
started. As suddenly as it had broken forth
was the truth revealed to her; this sweet fading
flower loved the gifted child Of Heaven, and
perhaps-she could not tell-was Offering up her
Young life as q sacrifice upon the altar of a love
alas, hopeless.
The sufferers lip quivered, and she closed her
eyes to slut back the coming tears then, after
a long silence she raised her arms and motioned
that her head should rest upon Emily's bosom.
"You have seen the struggle" she whispered.
"Heuccforth, when you remember me, you will
pity what earthly lot was mine. But oh, Emily,
| besecch you, by all my suffering, let him not
suffer Something tells me that you love him
it must be so for ain near eternity, and my
vision is clear. lie taught me to be Christian,
Emily. He loved me only Us cherished sister
he dreams not of what you have interpreted.
But oil, Emily, if you knew-iI you but knew
the depth and tenderness of that soul, the almost
woman.likc sofness and devotion, the stern Ro.
man depth also, the mighty earnestness of that
noble spirit! You are rich, and he is poor; but
what is gold in comparison with such love }? Only
promise me that you will not make him suffer
bless him, and if it is in the power of released
spirits to grant one favor to embodied SOUL will
bless you, dear Emily. You promise, and ain
happy. You we're not made for the idle throng.
What noble helpers you will be! am so light
and happy now. half believe Heaven has be.
gun. Lay me back love, and, if you please,
call them in. One prayer more-one prayer,
dear minister"
Sometimes, the throng of gay dancers, the
flashing gas-lights, the triRing words, the un-
meaning laughter of the few previous hours
fitted through Emily's mind during that prayer.
1t was, she felt, for her as well as for the dying
Tcars-not " idle tears"-chased rapidly down
her cheeks. Her hand laid on the bedside; she
had been resting her head upon it. She, felt the
| nressure of cold fingers: close beside was the