Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-10-26
Kora's Legacy.

The autumn wind whistled' and
moaned through the swaying branch
es Of the stately elms that. lowered
above the massive turrets of Ashley
Mansion, and ever and anon spent
its wild passion in a prolonged wall
that penetrated the shaded death
chamber, where a solemn group
awaited the final stroke Of the ley
hand thatshad already set. it's seal
upon the furrowed brow Of Phillip
Ashley. Together beside that couch
of death knelt two stricken forms to
receive the last blessing OF him who
had long sustained atwo-fold relation
to those motherless ones, and their
hearts were nssfly crushed with the
weight of the impending blow that
was soon to make lthem orphans. ~
Nora Ashley, the eldest Of vne sis
ters, was a tall brunette, with fault
less form, and face whose vivid in
tellect was in harmony with its clas-
sic beauty. A striking contrast was
the pale, wan face Of Mildred, an
Innocent, cEild-likel face and yet
there was piteous expression in the
soft, blue eyes that impressed one al
r,ost painfully. The shower of gol-
den brown curls that fell nearly to-
her waist, but partially concealed
the small, uncouth figure that was
entirely wanting in the graceful COLI
tour that perfected her sisters form !;
for Mildred Ashley was hopelessly,
deformed, and from her birth the
unfortunate child, for the very rea-
son of her misfortune, had claimed al
greater share Of care and tenderness.
aMy children" said the dying.
man, do not mourn for me, for Il
am going to join Your sainted mother,
who awaits me in the better land
and ifthe spirits Of the departed are
permitted to, watch over their loYed
ones here, ours will hoverround you
in your hours of grief; and the Fa-
ther of the fatherless will protectyou
when 1 am gone. L need not. tell
you, Nora, to comfort and cherish
Mildred, and remember, my daugh-
ter, that have ever had your best,
interests. at heart !, and whatever
changes life may bring, trust in the
Lord, md time. will eventually and
surely rewafdsyour trust. Be true
to each otheran to yourselves. Nora,
Mildred, my darlings, farewell !" and
the sisters sank 9 weeping I'M each
others arm = The sick man spoke
a parting word to each of the domes-
tics who had gathered near, and mo-
toned the approach Of two young
men who had stood silent spectators
of the scene: = .'l's . :. '''"'
One was Wayland Archer, the
afianced of Nora; and the other
Ealle Goodwin, trusty agent of Mr.
Ashley. TO the former he spoke
something Of which. T. these We're, the
elesipg words; CAS-, you value my
daughters happiness, may Heaven
prosper you'll His hand fell from Fl, d
the listless touch of the fingers it had
clasped, and metthe warm pressure
Of Earle Goodwin 81 while le MUIR
INJURED, Earle, you have beeafaithful i
to me arbe, a frienaA my children.
g God helping me, ! will, +" was the ferf
vent reply.Asgraeeful smile illnmi+
mated the tranquil TEXTURES, and they
knew that the passing spirit had but
left its impress on the silent-clay.
We will draw a vail over that house
of mourning while we designate our
characters in their respective rela-
Phillip Ashley was a wealthy land
holder, who hsa gained an ipdepen-
dence by his own exertions, and the
elegant country residence known as
Ashley. Manse was erected under his
.own. supervision. 20 Here he dwelt
! With his two daughters after the. de-
6 cease al ofifhis, idolizedswife, and their
happiness became the one object Of
his solicitude. Both were equally
dear to- him, fand if there was a softer
vein of. .tenderness ia,his pity for the
poor hunohbacked Mildred. he looked
with all a fathers love andpride on
the beautiful Nora, whose devotion
ITO her sister was only eeualed by her
dutifnl affection for himself. She
was the presiding genids'of his house
hold, the. queen Of, his home.
Earle Goodwin! was!the son of his
boyhood'S most intimate friend. They
had started. sin life together, and
Horace IGo9dwin's prosperity bid bid talr
.toiequale his own. .,iwhen his sudden
odeceAse le1 Q widow and son tomourn
kis' 1854 rhs Son Mr.. Ashley edpcas