Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-06-03
THROUGH FIRE;
OR, -
AT HOME AND ABROAD:
BY JASPER CLEVELAND.
CONTINUED.


ence, but treated him in all respects as any
other woman, who had been Lis brothers
wife might have done, while Clifton preserved
toward her the same quiet, gentlemanly man
ner, he might have done to any woman
whom mis- brother had married, and for whom
he had no liking. Mrs. Seymour was grieved
that Clifton and Abilene should be no more
like brother and sister, yet she knew so well
the character of Clifton that she saw words
would be powerless to reconcile them. Affairs
were at this state, when Clifton and Agnes
had met. When Abilene and Clifton were
alone in the parlor, after the meeting, Ath'
lene said:
Brother, you have met Agnes, and will
see that you have wronged me with unjust
suspicious. You find all 10 be as I have said
She is Mrs. Maryland. What will you do
considering that she has scorned both you
and myself? The tigress! could have torn
her heart out, when she turned from; us SC
proudly" ..4.. ..s -->vs
"Athlene! whose fault was it that she be-
came the wife Of Arthur Maryland ?" M
Her own, | suppose"
"You need not ask me what course / shall
pursue. I shall seek an interview with her
on the morrow, and explain all. She is g
widow, and I shall yet be happy with her.
Once for all, let me caution you 10 treat her
as becomes my wife, should [ ever be SO
happy as TO call her by that sacred name.
At the first shade of treachery on your part,
I shall see that we are separated forever. ]
shell never give you opportunity to deceive
US again. 1t is better that we understand
each other at the commencement"
Mrs. Seymour entered at this moment and
Abilene male no reply. But her dark eyes
glittered and shone, her cheeks took deeper
crimson, and her white teeth were Shut all
combined, breathed murder, had any inter
preted the signs. Mrs. Seymour spoke of the
new friends she had made in the persons of
the Maylands, and with word Of praise OF
the younger, retired. Clifton left the room
at the same time, but Abilene sat by the faint
glimmer of her taper for long time, plan
ming her course of future action. At length
she arose with the air Of one who has set at
rest difficult thought, and with firm, hard
face sought her room. The following day she
did not make her appearance at the family
table, but partook lightly Of her delicate
meals in her room. She still occupied the
suite of rooms which had been prepared for
her reception when she came there, bride.
AS early as prudence would permit, Clifton
sought the hotel of the Maylands, and was
entertained by the elder Mrs. Maryland, who
apologized for the non-appearancc of her
daughter-in law, saying she was unable 10
leave her room, having suffered severely since
daybrcak, with sick-head ache. Clifton
could scarcely contain himself TO wait another
day before he saw Agnes but he politely left
his regards for the young Mrs. Mayland, and
asking permission to Gail on the following
day, and inquire after her health, he departed.
This was on the morning of the terrible day
of fire which brought so much misery and
desolation to the beautiful city of Portland
Clifton had been out part of the day, but
feeling no inclination to join in the general
merry-makipg throughout the city, retired
carly to his home Abilene had not been
out of her room during the day, but sent
down plea OF sickness, After all was quiet
in the house, she quietly stole from the house
envelopcd in suit of gray, and stole to the
hotel where Agnes Maryland resided. After
prowliDg around the building for 9 short time,
She returned 10 her room as stealthily as she
had left it. Soon the cry of fire arose on the
still air. Clifton had not retired but was
leaning from the window, enjoying the still
beauty Of the moonlight, and listening to the
hum of voices and sounds from the distant
part of the city, where soon the hum Of plea
sure changed to the cry of fire. Impellcd by
presentment of evil, coming MOTTO himself
but to his loved Agnes, he ordered the car.
riage, aud bade the conchman drive as neal
the fire as possible, and there hold the horses
while he went 10 find ifthere was really cause
| for serious alarm. He had proceeded but
a few hundred yards before he learned tbat
the hotel where Agnes and her mother in,laW
were stopping was burned to The ground. He
was not far from IT, and hurrying to the spot
foundthe building nearly. demolished, only the
eastern wing remained, and the greater par
Of that was burning. =.
"Are all sayed ?" he asked Of the proprie,
tor. whom he met as soon as he arrived.
"Yes: the inmates of the house all escap-
ed, although some of them had very narrow
escapes. The last of them were severely
burned. At that instant there appeared o.
the window immediately above them, and the
only one not already in flames, the form of 9
lovely woman. Her fair Lair hoated about
| her like shroud, while the long, white night
dress seemed about to be touched by the
flames, as it !luttered in the night-air. Will
a wild cry Clifton Seymour seized a ladder
near by, and in second bad cncircled the
fair form with his arm, and descended to The
ground. Obtaining shawl from some per
SON standing near, he wrapped it about tht
form of the woman whose life he had saved
and without .V'ord, strobe rapidly towards
his carriage.
On the morning following the eyening wher
7 had met Abilene as Mrs. Seymour. ani
Clifton Seymour, the man who had once
breathed Of love to me, but had forgotten all
and married the beautiful Italian, l. awokt
with terrible binding pain in my head, which
continued through the entire day. heard
the cheerful voice of my mother-in:-law, in
her room, humning tune, and presently she
came to me, saying:
"Dear Agnes it is so provoking that YOU
must be sick to-day. That elegant Mr. Sey:
mour has called and inquired particularly fol
. YOU. told hun you were unable to come
down. Dear me! everything seems to 60
wrong. There is that organIie brought home
with two breadths of the trimming bottom.
side-up. I am troubled to death. Who
Knows but that you might have produced an
impression upon that elegant SEYMOUR
have inquired him out, and they al say be is
quite catch"
Mother" 1 answered, don't you know
that he is married man. Did lot Mrs. Web
her introduce you to his wife 2"
"Oh! is that Mrs. Seymour his wife ;
didn't understand it SO. Somehov, 7 have
the impr, ssion that he is single, and the lady
is only q relative"
knew too well to the contrary, and sol
remained silent while she ratified on. Present.
" asked her 10 leave me, as wished tc
sleep. She went away, and all that long day