The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-01-18
5tlrttra sturQ.
From the Southern Field and Fircsidc.
THE SPECTRE
BY ELSIE EARNEST.

Mage, 10 yon mean 10 we'd Hubert
\, r."n f! asked Mrs. Leigh, AS her ne:ce,
Maggie Enstnce, came tripping gayIy in
to her room Que evening
why, Aunlie What question . You
kno" have been engaged Tor the las,
HN months to George Auui>tcad, ilh the
iuiI concert ot all parties
Yes. | know that, but what mean your
walks and rides with Mr.. Norton, anI
these frequent evening calls f! Does lac
know Of your engagement Z
Wei, no think not she answ cred.
while crimson glow man,lcd her checks
.But why do you ask such questions,
Aunie z There car be no harm in a
iI;II" ilnta ION. 1t is so dull here during
'""rg"s Al scnre-- meaning 10 dispar
"."'r"nt I" v"u or To father, who do all
!"n 'an tor mv conf rt but YOU know
h"v" y s '".rf mischief in my compo
rlu n. nus have some socie,, OF NV
own AZ" aud r>,e, ard Hubert Norton i,
all 'la' IS available at present .
'Mas.i", M,syrc, there is narm in
"h.t ,"u are a"u,.. have seen Won
together, ~ Il know that he loves ' ou
believe ! know something of human
nature, nul IhNrk his is too no!.I, y
hcsrt 10 be ,rIil.d with. Take my ad.
vice. dear cii d, and let him know of
your engagement, or it will be source
"t life long regret To you What. do You
think, would George think of Your NC
ton, Think how he loves and trusts
You, and-"
There, there, auntie dear, no lecture.
II you please. do not suppose am
worse than the most Of my sex,' aLd
Maggie pou.ed out her rosebud lips in
mock anger.
Mrs Leigh was silent. while Maggie
rocked back and forth, hunmiug a new
air. Her con.cirnce WIS 10, nt ease,
though she tried to h.de tLat fac, from
hDr aunt.
Mrs Leigh wm the only sister of Mrs.
Eustace. She had marie, AT eighteen,
one every way worthy Of her, and, ut
twenty three, was left widow aud child
less. he immediately took up her
bode with her brother. In shor, While
Mrs. EuStnce died. and Mrs. Leigh took
upon hersef the care Of the little moth.
erless Maggie, and mother indeed she
proved TO the htds one. Mr.. Eust.ce
loved his child with all fond fathers de
voton. and would have completely spoil
ed her but for his sisters watchfulness -
Maggie grew up beautiful and peued-
consequently little wilfuI. notwithsiand
ing the constant, care of her aunt, who
saw with pain growing propensity to
fir. She knew her niece was not very
wicked at heart, and il she soulG see her
sin in a., ils beinousness, would reform.
Therefore she coEclnded 10 tell her her
own heart history.
Young, beautiful, accomplished and
wealthy. people wondered why Mrs. Leigh
shut herself in from the society of which
she was once 30 bright an ornament
Fifteen years OF widowhood had passed
still she adhered TO her widows weeds
and seclusion from the gayeties Of life
Wherever there was work Of charity to
bs done. Mrs. Leigh Nas frat at her post,
--yisi,ing the fatherless and the widows
in,heir affections, comforting tl.e sosrow-
stricken, leading the wicked from their
way by gentle 2ersuasions and tie bright
est example, aud nursing the sick, tiil all
knew her as good Mrs. Leigh
Maggie, come here, dear; I wish 10
tell you a story my own story. Come
close.
Maggie needed no second invitation,
but, drawing ap ottoman 10 her sunt's
feet, sat down, leaning against her with
face up.urned, in token for her to proceed.
This was what she had long wished for,
Al. "A N