Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-04-27

/ the chlrplng OF the birds, came IN
through the open window with the
damp evening breeze, and the pale
light of the rising moon filled the
room with its soft radiance, but she
was unconscious of everything but
misery. The house was so quiet that
the sound of footstep crossing the
hall below fell upon her ear, and
aroused her to a momentary interest,
She heard door open,-the library
door, and then a voice uttered a few
words of commonplace greeting. She
remembered it we'll, and sprang to
her feet with desperate, insane
thought CT flight. But the door clos
ed, the house was still again, and she
was calmer.
She crossed the room listlessly, and
drew back the curtain Of the win
dow. The scene without was beauti-
full. The moonlight lay broadly on
the garden, turning to silver the tops
of the trees, and making the little
lake beyond look like great white
pearl. Gazing earnestly downward
sh saw a tall, shadowy figure stand
ing beneath the shade of the old
elm. With low cry she sprang
fra,n the room, and, a moment after,
stood beside her lover. /,
Come, at last, my treasure, cried
Mark Winchester, folding her in his
arms. She remained leaning passive
lv against his breast, while he press
ed passionate kisses upon her fore
head, cheeks, and lips.
"Whv have you made Inc wait so
long, darling?' he said softly; and,
taking both her slender hands in one
of his pressed them to his lips. "Why,
how cold you are! How you trem-
BILE he continued, as she chung to
him, +" What is the matter, May 2
Il waited because l dreaded to
meet YOU, Mark"
Why? What do you mean :"
And, brokenly through her tears
and sobs, she told him all. He did
not speak or stir while she was talk
ING and when she had finished there
vas a long silence. She lacked cour-
age to say more.-he would not ask:
She repeated the last words: And
tomorrow l must give him my an
swer." Still he did not speak.
She looked up at him. In the dim
light she could see his rigid, agoniz-
ed face, white lips. and cleaning
eyes. She stole her arms about his
neck, and drew his forehead down to
her lips.
"speak to me Mark; say that you
do not blame me.
He knew then that she had decld-
ed, and what the decision was.
And you will leave me, May, and
marry that old man,
Heaven pity me, Mark, for !
must. 1 will become his wife, and
| will be true and faithful to him, for
he will be kind to me. You will hear
Of me thus, and when you do, re-
member my words, Mark, that you
have my heart.
a Will remember May. God bless
us both, for 1 shall never forget you.
They shall bury me with this upon
nv heart. And he drew tress Of
soft brown hair from his bosom.
For a moment more-ohe little
precious moment-he held her against
his heart, and then kissed her, put
her gently iron, him, and was gone.
For moment she stood alone un-
der the trees, with clasped hands and
face appraised to the quiet sky, and
then she turned and walked silently
toward the house. A light from the
library window streamed down on
her, as she looked up, she saw the
shadow of a bowed figure tall across
the curtain.
: Father, you are saved she mur-
INJURED.
:. hand was laid suddenly on her
arm, and she started with a low cry.
Good evening, Miss May" said
Colonel Leighton. Il have leen seek
ing YOU.
She bowed, and stood silently be-
fore him, with calm, downcust
face.
Il have been talking with your
father" he continued, carclessly pull
inc a rose from a bush Lear them.
&" lie tells me that you have promised
TO think OF my proposal, a:id let Us
know what your decision is to-mor-
row. Is there anything [ can say
which will influence you 10 form that
conclusion in my favor"
You cannot say mytlns which
Will influence me in the least, Col
onel Leighton. As NY t:uieF has
said, You shall have my answer to-
morrow.
lie glanced at the young face, SO
sad in its calm dignity, and looked
down at his fingers again, which were
bruised in tearing 10 pieces the bios
som he held, and allowing the Grim
son petals 10 fall at his feet. as il fthey
were fragments Of the heart he was
breaking. In the long silence that
followed she glanced up at linn once
with the thought of finging herself
upon his mercy by giving him her
confidence; but the stern expression
OF his face repelled her.
Miss May" he said suddenly,
You are averse to this marriage. :
His tone aided in rendering his
words an assertion. She was star
tied, but replied quietly, DO you
think so ?"
Il must be blind if I could think
otherwise, he continued with sud-
den energy. May Warren, YOU
know that you hate me-that you
would rather die than be my wife,
were it not for your fathers sake
Before she realized what she was
doing. the monosylable Yes slipped
from her lips.
And in doing this DC you realize
how you would wlong us both p