The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-12-21

hoating IKE pale gold over her shoulders,
and wearing loose peigaoir Of white
cashmere. While stood speechless she
advanced, and with slow but certain
movement Of the hand which was free, she
began 10 mclasp the fastenings Of the
great French window.
For moment stood, as If rooted to
the ground by horror. tried to rush
toward, but my feet seemed nailed To the
floor, and my voice, when ! essayed to call
aloud refused to obey my yolition. The
low creaking sound as the window slowly
opened, and the inward rush Of the shrek
ing night wind, dissolved the spell Of my
helplessness aud | darted along the gale
ry, shouting, or attempting to shout, though
my voice reached my own ear but as a
harsh aud hollow murmur. The white
figure, bending forward seemed about to
vanish in the blackness beyond Suddenly
the candle was extinguished by stronger
gust of wind, and | uttered cry of horror,
for | thought that Blanche had actually
fallen; but by Heavens mercy was in
time, but just in time. My arm was round
her waist, my hand was on her arm, as she
was tottering on the very verge of the
dread precipiee; and by a quick and power
ful exertion drew her back. She awoke,
witha low moaning cry, such as may often
be heard on the lips of a child suddenly
aroused from sleep. what is this2" she
said" where am ?-Cousin-what--
where? Then, as she looked around, and
saw the reality ofthe position, she shudder-
ed, and sank fainting and unconscious into
my arms Bearing her as swiftly and
tenderly as ! could along the 0aken
Gallery, ! laid her ON sofa that stood in
the adjacent corridor, and hurrying to
Lady Treherne's door, aroused my aunt from
her sleep, and related in few words what
had befallen her daughter, and how
second time she had been providentially
snatched from the jaws of death
1T was the association Of ideas that did
the mischief-not a doubt of it, said the
old family physician, who had known
Blanche from her infancy "the cure
seemed complete, and in effect WAS so; but
no doubt the Christmas spent for the first
time at the old house and in the old way,
the similarity Of the weather and of the
evenings amusements, and, above all. Mr.
Carew' = presence, with the memory of the
former adventure, influenced our young
friend fancy in manner that might have
been But we won't talk of that now.
The Trehernes left Bamshaw at once
and at their earnest wish | accompanied
them, and paid the remainder of my visit
at their house in London. Here it was
that | learned to find Blanche very, very
dear to me, and that after some weeks
yentured to ask her To be my wife. Il
thought, said |. as | took her little hand.
unresisting, in mine, "that you rather
disliked me than otherwise formerly: but
perhaps now
do You remember four years ago?H
she asked, interrupting me, and with a
burning cheek and glance, half arch. half
shy, that puzzled me greatly
Yes, of course | do answered |,
perplexed.
because have loved you ever since
ever since you-frst--" and she shuddered.
and hid her beautiful face on my should
er.
Sir Charles and Lady Treherne gave
their willing sanction to the engagement
between Blanche and myself, which was
equally welcome to my own parents, but
on account of the youth Of the bride elect
it was thought better to postpone the we'd
ding another year, till Miss Treherne
should have passed her seventeenth birth
day,
When asked her, as in duty bound, to
name the day for that all-important cere-
mony, the dear girl hesitated for a moment,
and then, with tears, but not Of sorrow,
sparkling in her loving eyes, she softly
made answer "Christmas-eve."