Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-06-17

Of Mabel from its earthly shroud, that it had
brought to my senses no shock. It'was as il
Mabel had slept after wearisome day. ~
Silently, the tears, sacred to her memory,
fell from my eyes. My grief was not Of tue
earth, earthly. 1t was Heavenly, for it pnrl'
fed my heart, and drew it near to God. He
knoweth how to call our wandering thoughts
to Him; the only fount Of perfect peace.
Mrs. Jackson prepared the body for the
costly casket. and in two days more, saw
it laid in its last resting place, where u costly
stone presents this inscription, Angel
Mabel.n
Returning from the. funeral services5 Ath:
lene met NE as | was going to my chamber.
Her face wore au expression of triumph. and
she said,
II hope you will not bring any more chill
dren here.h
"Not while you remair," 1 answered.
Gone soul sent into eternity hefore its time
is enough for one to answer for'!" and
passed on.
Turning suddenly, saw Athlene's finger
pointed at me, and her parted lips, showed
her tightly-clenched teeth. saw that the
shaft had struck, and did not lail to under
stand the meaning of that murderous glance.
An hour later, entered the little back
parlor, where Clifton, Priscilla, and Mrs. Sey
mour were seated. Priscilla was stiled to 81
lence, by the dread presence of death, the
shadow of whose angels wing had not yet
lifted from our hearts.
+. MIS- Seymour and Clifton were conversing
in low, earnest tones, and rs entered, he
rose, and placed a chair for me beside his
mother. a,
After while, Priscilla said, in subduod
tone,
81 think had better 60 home. !. allus
had kind of squirmin' away from y .ouse
where dead folks live. writ to MY fclitr,
Bartholomew Spriggirs, the very night she
gin po2t and specific will e'here in day
or two. When he see me off in the cars, he
said he should come arter me in bis own wag-
gin, and lie may como eny mint"
We offered faint objections to her return,
for we knew that she would be ll-al case
among US, aier the death Of little Mabel.
The next morning as leaned from the
balcony'to pldck a spray of flowers, saw
curious vehicle stop brlore the elegant man
sion Of the Seymours:
a small. square wagon; or rather box,
painted red with high-backed seat just
large enough for two, sitting low. upon the
very ,axe-trces. 1t was the 'waggin" spoken
of BY Priscilla. s.,s
A sleepy looking, sorrel horse, lame, and
very thin, aud his head on level with the
wagon body, md oaly an apology or tail,
secure to the wagon by harness composed
oil various pieces of old rope and leather
straps, while the iron tug-chains made music
wherever they go"
This was the cqupaee in whic; the be-
trJlled Of Bartholomew Spriggins was To b
conveyed to her home. But words arc wan,
ing with which to describe the ludcrous APP
pearance If the fond couple US they turned TO
wave US last" good bye.'
Bartholomew was slim fellow with waery
blue eyes aid an under Jaw three inches in
advance Of the upper one. His long, yellow
hair was carefully creased and cofnbed hcs
hind his ears. His neck was long way
above his coat-collar, and his wrists far in ad
vance of the tailoring accomplishment cf
'Roostick. And then lie sat so straight in he
little wagon and Priscilla was So careful II I
to sit too near bin, for fear folks would know
that he was her ialHr.' as she said. They
were liind-hcarlcd and weli-meaning people,
but We were not sorry to see them depart,
for there can be no congenial;ty belween peo-
pie So differently situated and so different by
education aud habit.
For long time after Mabel died, the honsc
seemed still, and tomb like. Music seemed
out Of ulacc, with its awakening to liic and
Joy. Conversation was carried on in low and
subdued tones, and it seemed as ii we had
been very near the unknown land of tho
Eternal.
Gradually, however, we assumed our old
manner Of life, and low. sweet songs led the
way to our daily enjoyment Of music and at
englh the household returned To its former
cheerful habits, and Mabel, although not for
gotten, slumbered among the beautiful Things
that had shed light and jay upon cur path
way and then departed.
Abilene had grown more naughty and re-
served edinman:.erthan ever. ! know not ifinan
other heart dwelt the suspicion Of her wicked
intentions that distressed mine; but | tclL
the prescntment Of great evil was hanging
over US, and that Athlene was connected
with it.
Clifton was impatient that our marriage
should take place, and We fastened the prep
arations. 1t lacked but a day ard an hour
of our bridal Everything was in readiness
and Clifton and sat together upon the bal
cony at the western side Of the house, by the
vines, whose fragrance filled the air with a
soft perfume, We had been talking of our
plans for>the future, and Of the mysterious
ways of Providence of our separation aud
reunion, aud much OF that silly nonsense 80
| dear 10 the heart in its cOurting days.
We had been talking of all this, but the
mantle of silence had fallen upon US, and
with clusped hands VIC were each drawing our
separate dreams of loves happiness,
A light step sounded near U.s. pnd Abilene,
pushing aside the thick vines, stood BY our
side. Her face was as pale as the moonlight
and her voice low with suppressed passion.
"You were talking Of your coming bridal
day, or perchance of the cold hearted woman
who would sooner see Clifton Seymour in the
arms of death, than married 10 Agnes May
land. warn You now that she shall never
enjoy the love that have per;led body and
soul to secure, and faied,n she said
As suddenly as she CAME, she went away
"Agnes, does this woman trouble you? If
SO she must 60 away. or l will request her to
find another home before we return from our
visit to Italy," asked Clifton.
| tiud no pleasure in her society,"" bans-
.wered, halt-ashamed to confess that was
afraid Of her.
'3"Then she must go away" lie replied.
The evening Of our marriage arrival, I al
lowed my bridesmaids to array me in the
costly robe prepared for the occasion, and
listened to their girlish extravaganza, with q
dull feeling ofcoming grief, clouding all my
happiness. i was half.angry with myself that
should be so depressed qponemy bridal. eye
yeti cop'd not rid myself of the terrible
dread of some unknown horror, waiting 20
wiring my heart. We descended TO. the
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