The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-04-08

way to youw comtowt. Do-pray do"
and as he spoke he pressed into her hand
heavy purse. Why WAS it that for mo-
ment she tightly clasped it, and sparkle
into her eyesa The next, the light went
out-her lips turned white; and, as cold
shudder passed through her frame, she
coldly put it back into the donors hand.
"Lct me pass, my lord, or-or shall
think that you, too, combine With others to
insult mel"
The young ncbIeman stepped promptly
back. The path opened, and in a moment
the ballet sprang upon the stage, and the
young girl, with her companions, enwreath-
ed in smiles, were dancing gayly before an
applauding audience.
\
On-on, through the wind and rain-on,
through the sect and mud tramped the
fair and delicate girl. Alone--alone in
the midnight walk through the dreary sub
urb, past the dangerous haunts Of drunken
ness and vice, shivering with cold, with
terror, and with weakness, as every sound
scared her, as every footstep approached
her-now trembling at the loneliness Of
the long, dismal street, that seemed so in
terminable-now springing like startled
fawn from some intoxicated wretch reeline
homeland more, ten thousand times more
afr by the approach Of those bonnet
Zones who roam shamclessly through
eets, rendering night hideous by their
profane and bacchanalian orgies. On, on
now stealing softly, breathlessly-now,
with quick and hasty step, that gradually
increases to fight, the New Road is gain
ed. Her home is still far distant. Now, in
solemn square, she returns the gruff "good
night" Of the policeman-now agileIy eludes
the rude grasp of man, who unperceived-
had been for some time dodging on her
footsteps. At last in the dim distance, she
describes shadowy figure tottering towards
her. 1t is her mother, worn with watch
ing, coming to meet her; and, with sigh
OF relief, the girl arouses all her remaining
strength, and springs alcrtly forward; but.
as she gains her mothers side, all her new
found courage melts away, and she sinks,
sobb'ng into the maternal arms.
my chiId7 my child2" exclaimed the
affrigh'ed parent; "what new trouble is
there in store for US 2"
This is the last week Of the pantomime,' >
said Clara, ''ano fear it will be almost i'm
possible for me, at present, to obtain an
other situation"
\ II
Morning broke. and found Clara kneel-
ing by dead fathers sirle7 The VOW she
registered there was head in Heaven, and
chronicled by angels in the Book of Life.
Nothing can tempt me now," she ex-
claimed; for the sacrifice that might have
been an act Of piety, would henceforth be a
SIM"
"Think ever thus, my child" said the
weeping mother, es she fondly embraced
her, land shall have no fear for the
future"
"Have none motbera We can work,
can we not r.
"Hand in hand, my child, to the DEATH"
sand win, mother-or die, and be like
him, at peace"
There was a great attraction at Drury
Lane; for new tragedy had been announc-
ed-author's name unknown; but in the
interest that had heen evinced in high
quarters, it was conjectured that it came
from noble source. There was to be a
first appearance, also, in the lady who was
to both her name and the piece, that neith-
critics nor actors could solve. She came
plainly dressed in deep mourning. closely
yelled. She was ever accompanied by
widow lady, supposed to be her mother !;
but as neither seemed to have any acquaint-
ance in the establish ment, and never arrived
until the last moment at the rehearsals, de-
parting the instant the business of the stage
was over, it was not possible to CLEAN any
intelligence concerning them. All that
was known of them was that they arrived
in plain brougham. that drove off the mo.
ment they alightsd, aud returned exactly at
the time the rehearsal concluded. The
servant who attended them appeared to be
astaciturn as themselves, for by no cajolery
could he be induced to answer any ques.
tions, probably because there was nothing
to tell beyond the simple fact of their resi-.
dence in Harley street, and that his young
mistress' name appeared in the bills as Miss
Lovelace. The managers, Of, course, could
have solved the whole problem if there was
one, but these gentlemen commonly under
stand tile art Of keeping their own private
counsel. ~ = a.a. as
At last the eveatful evening arrived.
Tie house was crammed in every part. for
rumor had spoken we'll Of the postic beauty
- =