Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-07-15
THE DIAMOND BROOCH.

sound, God bless hltn repeated the oiG
servants one TO another.
Yes, Hugh, the hero, the brave, consis.
tent Christian soldier. whose name had
been trumpeted from end to end of the
Queens domains, had at last avaiied him
sell Of time Of peace to resign the hon.
orable duties he had so faithfully fulfilled,
and enjoy t. season of well.earned reposc,
in the old home Of his childhood.
a hearty welcome was his, from the
fra.ernaI greeting of his elder brother
now, alas! the sole representative Of the
fond father, whose dying blessings had
been waited to him On an Indian battle
iieid--to the relatives and dependents
who thronged the Grange To pay due
honor to his coming. There Was ban
quct to preside at, a ball to open, speeches
to make, hands to shake, old friendships
20 renew, fresh acquaintances to be intro
duced to: and such a whrl OF pleasurab,
business to be goC through, that it va.
long after midnight when the weary Hugl
found himself quietly seated on one sid,
OF the fire place in Mrs. Cariton's dress
ing-room, with his brother on ;he other
and his brothers wife, pretty, piquant
little woman, nesting on allow stool a.
her husbands knee. enjoying the reunion
with q loving woman's sympathy in thcil
traternal affection.
"and now," said Fred Carlton, -yhe,
multiplicity of questions had been asked
and answered, "you must tell us if you
find us all as much changed as You ex
pected.'
Changed, certainly" Hugh replied
with an amused glance at his sis,er-in
law, but not for the worse
"Merci, monster" laughed Eda; but
don't think too we'll of ME because you
have seen me on my best behavior to
day. If have thrown aside the teasin,
tricks upon which you used to lectur,
me so gravely, and in a foolish fit Of re
pentance married Master Fred, don't i'm
agine me grown quite reformed charac,
ter like the bellies danes in novels. AM
still lady paramount, and like my OWL
way best"
The hand that was thrown carelessl,
over her shoulder administered to her !;
little playful shake.
Don't believe it, Hugh; that ono
dreadful fright gave her, when | threat
ened to join You at Scinde, worked /.
lasting reformation. She is inclined t.
rebel sometimes, but | always keep th'
reins in my own hands"
Hugh laughed at both, and enjoyed th'
warfare of merry words between them,
until Edith again repeated the inquiry,
Do you find lis much changed 2"
"My time has been short is yet, ano
my senses almost bewildered by the sue
ees;ion of faces and "reminiscences pre-.
sented to my eyes and ears. Aunt Sand
ford has grown aged mach. She is still
the dignified, resolute-looking, quick.
tempered lady of whom We used to stanc
in some awe as boys: but now she seems
querulous and shaken to iregree which
her age and excellent health scarcely
warrant
"You are right" said the brother, (" she
has altered lately"
"She has never been herself" mul-
INJURED Eda, since" and a mean.
ing glance was exchanged by the husband
and wife.
81 wonder you did not mention it il
your letters" mused Hugh. "And Laura
too-what ails Laura? she has grow,
wondrously lovely, but fancied that he
manner is naughty and reserved. ltl,
true that have seen but little of her
this evening, but she would neither dane
nor sing; and Aunt Sandtord, when ap-
pealed to her, said, with frown, Tina
it was as well she should not!l' Wha
does this mean? Has her pretty favor.
ite offended herr"
Laura is no longer Aunt Sandford's
adopted daughter and heiress," Eda re
piled, reluctantly. "She has given her
protectrcss some cause of oGense, with
which none of US are acquainted; and
Mrs. sandford has openly proclaimed her
resolution to leave her nothing more than
a small annuity.
What scandalous piece of inius.
tice!" exclaimed Hugh, Indignantly, lis
it not?" for his hearers remained silent
and looked doubtful.
"'Pon my word," was Fred's reply.
T" / do not know what to say about it.
When attempted to intercede with Mrs.
Sandford, she appeared seriously troubled.
and soemnly answered me that it was
in Laura's power to make her reverse
her decision at any moment. The fault
which has so deeply angered her, she
would not reveal; but declared that on
the first expression of pellitence, she
would again take her adopted child to
her bosom, and love her as before
"That was two years ago. interjected
Eda.
"And Laura" asked Hugh, eagerly,
" what does she say? how does she bear
this %
Fred looked perplexed, and left his
wife to reply but even she hesitated.
" scarcely know what to say, dear
Hugh. Mrs. Sandford's decision, and the
mystery which surrounds the whole a4f:lir.
has raised a barrier between Laura and
all of us. Many, believing her guilty of
some crime, avoid her altogether; and
Others, while they pity, know not what to
say or do in such peculiar case. To
this, perhaps. the change in Laura herself
is in degree owing. From vivacious,
frank, affectionate girl, she has become a
reserved and silent woman, seeking no
sympathy, and making to con6dants.
:" But why does she remain with her