The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-05-12

bore striking resemblance to Raph.
acl's Madonna.
Bat it was firmly believed that this
girl with all her wondrous beauty was
utterly devoid Of heart. Those who
compared her to cold and glittcripg
icicle, knew not that she loved in Sc
crct and sorrowcd that she loved,
mourncd in bitter dust and ashes that
her proud heart was given to one, who
was all unconscious that II maiden's
affections, richer by far, than all the
wealth of the Indies had twincd them
selves around him.
Percy st. Clair was, as became the
descendant Of noble house, lofty
and noble, brilliant and handsome,
with dark flashing eyes and hair whose
ietty blackness, rival.ed midnight it.
self. 1t had been tho darling wish of
General St. Clair to unite his nephew
and his daughter, but tho gay indiffer-
ence of the one and the chilling reserve
Of tho other, eifectually destroyed his
hopes. So when Eugene Trevelyan
returned from his European tour,
when tho old man discovered his many
excellent qualities and behold his
deep and devoted love for his daugh-
ter, he almost rejoiced that she was
not aiiianced to Percy. Percy, him
self favored tho suit of Trevclyan and
wondered at his fair Cousins indiffer-
ence. Leonora, when holding COM
munion with her own heart, in the
holy twilight hours, felt that if she
could only love Trcvelyan as much as
she esteemed him, she would willingly
and joyfully link her destiny with his
and go down the low valo Of life, sup.
ported by his strong arm. But the
hidden love that was consuming her
heart, cried out "impossiblc impossi-
he " Weary of being plunged into
a vortex of dissipation that had no
attractions for her, she besought her
father to take her to some scquestrcd
place, where they might spend tho
remainder of their days peacefully.
Anxious to crafty her wish, Gene.
raj st. Clair purchased Wildwood,
then just completed, from it's owner
who was SO deeply involved in debt
that he could not do otherwise than
part with his elegant mansion, though
with the greatest reluctance. Thith-
er wcro sent costly furniture, books,
pictures, statues, &C., and in due time
went General St. Clair, his daughter
and Percy, to take possession. The
old man devoted himself to improving
the grounds. Percy was to spend the
summer months with them and return
to the city in the fall to pursue the
study of law. Time glidcd serenely
along. Percy and I1conora sang togeth-
er, walked and rode together and the
latter began to hope that the sweet
dream of her life would be realized,
that the gallant Percy might learn to
love her, not as cousin, nor as sis
ter, but as man loves the woman for
whom he is willing to sacrifice every
thing but honor. Alas fair maiden,
graceful and delicate as the first frail
blossoms Of Spring, must the golden
goblet of happiness so soon be dashed
from your lips ? Must another actor
appear upon the stage to win from
you the one whom you so tenderly
love? Must tho flowers of love in
your heart, lie bleeding
One day there came letter with
black seal to General St. Clair. It's
contents were brief and were the last
request of dying man--an old and
valued friend.
"Take my child" he said, "and be
4 n hnr fof 60 81, I'LL
have no other on earth"
Such request was not to be slight
ed and fortnight from that time
came gentle Lillian Lyle to dwell at
Wildwood. Sweet Lillian Lyle with
her fresh face, rosy checks, rich braids
of dark brown hair and soft hazel
eyes, was-as Percy St. Clair secretly
thought-the sweetest little sun
beam that ever peeped into the great
house at Wildwood.
CHAPTER II.
love thee, and feel
That on the fountain Of my heart a seal
Is set to keep its waters pure and bright
SHELLY.
Autumn had como with it's gorge
Gus tints and variegated hues-its
cloudlcss days and its low murmur.
ing winds and still Percy St. Clair
fingered at Wildwood and gazed away
down into the liquid orbs of "airy,
fairy Lillian" as he playfully called
the gentle stranger. Between Leono-
ra ST. Clair and Lillian Lyle no bond
of sympathy could ever visit. Leono-
ra's heart seemed enoased in solid ice
and Lilian's sunny smiles and playful
ways failed cffectually to thaw it
Once she had said to Percy
"ls yoar cousin marble statue or
q living and breathing woman 7" and
he had laughingly replied that some
day Leonora would love like other
women, that tho frozen heart would
melt and pour food of glorious
sunlight into the countenance, but tho