Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-05-13
THROUGH FIRE;
OR,
AT HOME AND ABROAD:
BY JASPER CLEVELAND.
CONTINUED.

AS we were driving through the streets o
the city we were about leaving, L saw from
the carriage window, the magnificent equip
age of Abilene Monilli. She was leaning
back among the cushions, and opposite he
sat thin, pale man, the sight Of whose fac
sent the blood in. quick bounds to my heart
Had not known that my lover was dead,
should have thought it was. he. He va!
looking in an opposite direction, and did no
look at US until we were nearly out of Sight
| I saw him lean forward in the carriage, as j
| to obtain better view of some one in oul
carriage, and then we were out Of sight.
"How pale you are, AgnesP said Arthur
Are you ill?" he added.
"No, but the sight of face in that car
riage, brought to my mind the terrible scene
of the fire, and it startled me. am better
now," re piled, drawing full breath.
"You must tell me the story, some day
sister Aggie."
eyes. After we are settled in our new home
1 will tell you all about it" answered.
We were now at the station, and before
sunset, had reached our hotel, where rooms
had been engaged for an indefinite period
Arthur was quite exhausted, and was car
ried to his room to rest, before we should
partake of refreshments. The rooms com.
manded q lovely view Of the bay, and the
fresh breeze seemed to revive the weary
frame. Drawing his lounge to the open win
dow, drew up the blind, and said:
You shall rest now, brother Arthur, amid
the glorious beams of our common sun, which
is nowhere so glorious as in beautiful Italy.
The cool breeze from the bay shall fan your
brow, and the mountain scenery beyond.
gladden. your eyes, while leav; you to at
tend to other duties"
"Stay with me- Aggie," he pleaded with
the tone of tired child. There is nothing
in the world SO beautiful as your face, moth
iDg so soothing as your voice. i find all my
happiness in your dear presence. Lay your
hand in mine, and talk 10 me-
He clasped my hand, and closing his eyes,
lay for some time motionless. My heart grew
sad as 1 looked upon the hollow cheek AID
eye, the lofty, white brow, ard clustering
chestnut curls shading it, for saw that death
had set his seal upon that face, and at no dis,
taut day would come 20 claim him. could
but think of his noble kindness Of heart, to
me, poor, friendess orphan, his clingiug,
trusting nature, almost womaoly,in his weak.
ness and, although my lover had not been dead
two months, felt it to be 10 outrage of our
love, or promise, that pitied the friend before
me, who must die so young. lie was twenty,
two, although he looked still younger. FL
nally his hand relaxed its clasp, ard saw
that he was asleep. Without taking one iota
from the love of my dead idol. i bent over
the sleeping form of ::iy friend, and kissed
his brow, softly murmuring, & Would that |
could die for you" 1t seemed so sad that he
must die, while l, who had nothingsto live
for, lived On. But Gods ways are better
than mans WAYS. As bent over Arthur, |
saw faint flush steal to bis check, while his
eyelids quivered. l knew thathe had known
Of my caress, -:hile thought him sleeping,
knew that he had heard my low words (; but
was also aware of his quick perception Of
m5tive, and was not asham ID, that in my
great pity for Linn, had kissed him. He did
rot unclose his eyes, and stole from the
room, 10 assist Mrs. Maryland to unpack the
necessary articles for our immediate use. l
found her busly engaged, apparently, uncon-
scious of the swift decay of her idolized son.
She said, without looking up,
"How is Arthur? suppose he is resting,
1 am glad you remained with him, for it has
given me so much time to unpack. | do not
know how 1 should manage without yon.
Arthur is no trouble at all since you came.
You must lemain with US always. See will
you? This grenadine is ruined, it will never
be smooth again. l hope great benefit from
this delicious air. Dear Arthur! Just you
come with me Agnes, and see your room. 1t
is a perfect gem. Lsl1ould have selected that
for myself, only that wish to sleep near Ar
thur. Your room opens on one side of mine,
Arthur's on the other, while the parlor is at
the end, and to be reached from either-rcom.
Now isn't That grand? And such elegant
carpets; and iurnitdret Almost equal to any,
thing We have at home"
With sad thought Of the wasting form Of
poor Arthur, l answered her light talk, and
she continued: il
J" You must now change your dress, and re-
turn to. Arthur, while get y little nap, before
tea, my DEAR"
Ibathed in pure cold water, and brushed
out my curls, changed my travelling dress for
light evening robe, and entered the parlor,
from my own room. Arthur was not there,
but came in shortly afterwards, having been
refreshed by bath, and change of apparel.
He came to the window where | was stand
ing, to enjoy the lovely Italian sunset, and
taking my hand, said.
"Sister Aggie, is not this lovely ??
"Lorely indeed" ! replied
alt seems to me,p he continued, in
dreamy sort of way, that shall never be-
hold the sun set behind my native hills"
There was shade of sadness in his voice,
that brought tears tony eyes, and answered !:
81 sincerely hope you nay see many years
of sunset, dear frierd. Yet if God orders
otherwise, you know there Is Heaven OF
endless day."
Sand as the earth grows dim, Heaven
seems brighter. l would that you were 60
ing with me, Aggie," he answered, reverectly:
$50 do I, Arthur, cor should meet my
loved ones there"
"Will you tell me the story of the fire, to-
night ?n he asked.
"If you wish it, answered.
81 do; after tea, it will be moonlight to,
night, We c,!n sit by this open window, and
enjoy thesiceuery. Mother viii be dczing in
cosey coruer, and you. and |, sister Aggle,
will talk of other days"
,ttYour Z mother viii! be here soon /; I hear
her moving in her ROOM" Even while ]
spoke, she entered the parlor.
swell, declare! you look quite lover.
like" she exclaimed, gaily; then added" ]
am haffamished; shall / ring for tea,
Arthur" M 81 I
sIf you please" he answered, lookinggto.
ward the mountains. ,l; -
Tea was sood served; and We were.sitting
over the table, when the servant entered to
take away the things. AT this hint We all
arose, and Mrs. Maryland said ~,