Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-04-04


evenings with them. She was perfectly
charmed at the welcome tidings. Promising
to write frequently to her brothers, she cast
one look OF utterable affection towards her
old homestead, :" silent in ts shade" jumped
in the carriage with Mauds, and they .:cre
off to Haniton's Station, where they took
the cars.
CHAPTER II[.
Tue guests wcro arrayed,
There was light in the door,
Tlc tublos were laid,
And tic feast 10 roar.
all of the youth, valor, beauty and wealth
of the Confederate Capital were assembled
in Mrs. Spmmes' brilliantly illuminated so.
Icons, to participate ia bal costume. The
quite Of elegant reception rooms were redo.
lent with fragrant eYotics; the boudoir led
out to porlico, dimly lighted for tete-c-tctes.
Helen was lovelyiasN urnahal- the character
inst suited her style of beauty; she looked
Moores exact idea. Hugh procured leave
of absence to prepare n costume, and gallanted
Helen, attired in his unpretending suit Of
gray. 1t WAS gag, motley cosmopolitan
Sight to behold. There were ferocious- look
ing Turks trcading the nazes Of the dances,
with meek. looking Chercs, Pomonas and
Fluras. Haroun al Raschid arted desperate.
ly With Highland Mary; Beauregard ard
dashing Stuart audthe brilliant cavaliers who
composed their staff, represented our army (;
they proved themselves as excellent connois-
seurs of quadrilles. as Of sqnadrilli. Fair
beauty's form hung light upon the arm that
led the battle on. Mary Queen of Scots
elided noiseessly about i'll her sombre prison
garb, with her rosary in hand and, like sad
mum, whispered, "yanity vanity! all is
vanity here below" Elizabeth GouFishcd cx.
tensively, bringing to mind forciby the con.
test between power aud beauty, strength and
weakness; between possession and right.
,r.e fat,l game in>which ambition, love, jeal
ousy and pride shuffled the cards and lie was
tho forfeit zuleika, much to the discom-
future of Gulnare and Medora, completely en-
crossed the undivided attention of Conrad,
the daring corsair. "Foly," with lcr cap
and bells, tripPed gaily BIZ on the slight
fantastic toe" tossing her musical cap with
inimitable coquetry at innumerabse Spanish
cavaliers, Italian troubadours and Knights Of
old, who formed her satellites while Wis
DOM" (the belle Of Richmond, Emma Fair
fax, Yin the boudoir apart, spoke truths like
pearls and fascinated both old and young.
A richly.attircd Marquise Ell traine, with a
slittering Stomacher Of rich jewels, her hair
arranged Ia pyramide, with Napoleon le
Grand, were pacing the porlico in animated
converse, endeavoriug to Imagine themselves
Go.e,;ll.s Enonp;o IN cnparh h
velvet, adorned with diamonds, dispensed
bright smiles to Abdel Kader, whose hand
some face and glorious eyes relaxed, from
their usual sad expression under the infnnDce
of her cb harms. Somewhat apart stood Poca
hontas, sad and weary; perhaps her thoughts
were taking backward, fight, and she sighed
as she saw that man i'll his Intercourse with
his fellow-lpen, notwithstanding the rapid
strides civilization lad mado, was scarcely
more improved than when in his savage state.
Liberty appeared little while, but soon re
tired, alter smiling approvingly on the repre-
sentative OF our army present. The famous
Richmond Arsenal land was dscoursing most
inspiring galops and deur!emps. Then was
the witchery Of the light eyes, and the power
of soft, trembling replies. Helen, the admir-
ed of all admirers, fitted in from the poruco
and hurricdly stole out Of the crowded room
to Mande. to tell her Of the moving panorama
beneath her quiet chamber. AS she entered
the silent chamber, lighted only BY the dick
ering flrelght, she found her seated by the
window, staring, as if uncokscionsly, at the
darkness without. Perhaps she was thinking
OF feet
Once so aeot in tho dance,
or dark eyes so replete
With youths brightest glance,
And all loYs's romance,
Making her only
So restless and lonely.
Helen approached herr and putting her arms
carelessly around h neck gently drew her
in-she would take cold. She turned her
oueenly bead towards her and said
81 have been sitting here since twilight. |
love to lock out into the calm, soft melting We,
and commune with my own heart. Others
have bright anticipatiuns for the fature and
pleasant cnioymcnts with which to occupy
tho happy present. have none | live in
the dead past" The light of my girish
heart ouenched forever Oh then draw the
curtains close; shut out the waning light Of
day from all eyes but mine. Let me meditato
in the twilight, and call to re mbrance for.
mer days, for Ut this quiet hour the forms Of
the departed come to visit Inc again, he who
made life complete in those Joyous, blisslul
DAYS too soon sped. / seem to be sitting with
him once more OH the shore Of my native
Hudson, meath the widc.spreading oak. am
holding converse with my lost one again, who
iwells in heavenly realms. Oh, blessed days
long since down. Oh, ministering angel OF
my life If the shades Of evening blipg these
once again to my sigLt, is It not meet that |
should love this holy hour-the brief, hal
lowed movements Of twilight just as the
setting sun casts glow Of subdued lustre
over the landscape ? Even so in my soul has
the sun of hope along since SET Still hlest
remembrance fingers round me; it seems to
exert a subdu.ng influence over my troubled
oart aud lus lle to rest. When my work
on earth is done, ch let me die at twilight
let the sands of lite ebb away with the fast
neeting hours of day"
Her face assumed an air Of chcerfulness o:
she finished her long soliloquy. She begge6
Helcn's pardon for burdening her with sac
Thoughts, aud inquired what tempted he,
from the festivities below. Helen could no
thinl. as Maude, feeling convinced that hea
ven was nevar intended as the abode for on'
who had died in such cause, o. such q mis-
sion. but her sincere love for Maude mad
her refrain from expressing her conviction
SO at variance with hers. 1t may have beer
this, or perhaps another feeling, stronger cve
than patriotism, had glided into her heart