Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1872-05-29

between him ana his 1rlenu when. you
were babe in my arms. Charles Mont
fort had been the true and tried COM
panion Of your fathers childhood, and
early manhood. Once in their boyhood
he saved his life; again iii maturer man
hood he preserved from stain his honor,
thus placing him under an obligation
which could not be cancelled. At the
time of my marriage, Mr.. Montfort was.
absent in Europe with his bride, conse-
quently | never saw him until you were
three months old, lie came to visit us then,
and your father placed our little daughter
in the arms of his friend with glow of
pride on his manly face. Mr.. Montfort
pressed your sweet baby brow to his lips,
and turning to your father exclaimed:
"Richurd, how l wish we might live
to see this little Clarence-united. Old
friends, would you give me your little girl
for my son-it would be happy ten
summation Of our life long friendship"
"Would / give you my daughter for your
boy? ?" exclaimed your father with glow
ing checks and sparkling eyes Yes,
Charles, give her to you now, and prom
Use solcmnly that should they both live,
Clarence Monttort and Lillian Morton
should be united in lives and fortunes, MS
their fathers have been for years in hearts
and souls"
"Amen" responded the clear mellow
tones of our guest.
"It was at the close OF q calm winter
evening, but in our climate the mir was
balmy, and we had passed out on the
rarandah. The last golden beam had
faded from view, the stars glittcrcd softly
i'll the distant Ky, and the crescent moon
rose above the misty outlines ofthc moun-
tains; pure silver white she shone there,
as she shone above the brow of Diuna.,
the chastc and silent queen of night. AS:
Tic s0cnII wore. oyth, q
There seemed to NE something awful in
this agreement between the two men, L
would have demonstrated, but just then
you cried out, and catching you in my
arms | bore you away from this night
scene of your betrothlncnt. 1t is eighteen
long dreary years since that winter even
ing, but is impressed upon MY mind as
if it had all occurred Yesterday And Il
tremor shook the voice of he mother
while Il tear courscd down her damask
check.
Lily Morton tore the pink leaves from
moss rose i'll costly vase at her side,
and q grave expression, as if train Of
unpleasant thought had been agitatcd,
stole over her pretty face, and there was
something in the tones that told Of great
iirmncss Of character wien she spoke
again.
Mother, | cannot recognize the right
of any parentto barter away the freedom
ofa child in its infancy. My very soul
sickcns at the mcrceaary hcartlcssncss
with which our Aigh-horn men and wo-
men sell their delicate persons. l will
not say lcarts. as for Clarence Mont
forts proposal Of ,aarriagc to me. will
not, and cannot receive them. 1t is the
estate Of NIount Hope and not Lilly
Morton he desires to we'd"
"You are two young Lilly to have con
ceived such prejudiccs against society,""
faltcrcd Mrs. Morton, for she thought Of
the knowledge and experience her child
had of many unhappy fashionable mar
riagcs.
Coming towards her mother, the gentle
Lilly so.:ly carcsscd the smooth white
brow, saying:
Mamma. why speak to me of mar
riase? Are we not happy as Wa arc?"
Happy Can you doubt it my darling.
But | wish for your own sake to see YOU
married TO one worthy of you, and bcsiGcs
| owe duty to your dead father to plead
with you to redeem his pledge, and
know in time you will think better of it,
and decide 70 be guided by his last
wishes"
"Ncvcr nnommo uh;lo 7 tl;nl tho,,