The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1875-12-23

Inc large ndii VI IlaiFcVIilc wa
brilliantly illuminated when, tw
hours later, the young girls announce
all in readiness for opening the doors
The pretty tables, tasteful decorations
aud groups of lovely girls made n
mean picture. and Clairevile Wake,
about, ,admired,and above aIl,purchas
edtO the full content of the fair orig
inators of the entertainment. Hiddcl
away from sight ty the full folds o
a curtain, Amy sat shrined in tn
postoffice, answering Leonora's cal
tor letters. Busy excitement ha,
flushed her rair cheeks, and, as her pei
traced familiar names, one after an
other smiles chased each other owe
her lips and eyes. Suddenly a call iron
Nora made her turn pale ; her finger
trembled as she drew from her bosom
the letter she had written with /:
PRAYER. 1t was fully directed, yet sh'
hesitated, holding it as if reluctant tt
let it go. "Come, Amy. Is ther,
nothing for Mr.. Leonard Watson 2
cried Lenors.
The letter was slipped through tn,
appointed place in the curtain, anC
Amy drew 3 quick breath OF appre
hension as she heard the manly voice
that said, "rhank you, Miss Darcy =
If ho is angry!" she whispered
"If he should be angry p
But Leonard Watson had slipped
the letter carelessly into the breas
pocket of his coat, and was saunter
ing in his usual lazy manner down
the hall. He was a tall, handsome
man, with a broad forehead and large
eyes, which spoke well for his heart
and intellect but with the blaze all
and debOnair manner OF one for W HON
the world had offered it's pleasures to
safety, and who had not learned to
look for Iife's purpose in duty. The
little world OF Claireville spoke well
of Leonard Watson. The girls ad-
mired his court!y gallantry, his pol
ished manner, and honeyed words
the young men appIauded his gener-
osity, his horses, and his good temper
the older heads were ready to wor-
ship his wealth, his birth aud posi-
ton; only here and there a word was
whispered of late revels at Fairbank,
OF an occasional lapse into inebriety,
or dropping hint that 'y Dung Wat
son was living too fast"
There were many bright bellies who
cher shed a secret belle: of Leonard's
marked preference. yet the gay heart
was untouched, the travelled taste un-
satisfied, and he was free man, in
,r,o.rau at'OIaIfcvnIe WIN Amy let
ter upon his breast.
1t was night, and he was alone in
the library Of his spacious house be-
fore he recollected the missive; then,
with an indolent curiosity, he drew it
forth. "Some fiat school school YER
ses," he muttered, "or worse, dose
OF flattery yelled BY an incogni'a."
At first he read with a lazy express
sion of mockery upon his lips, but,
as the lines were traced with earnest
care, so, as he read, the mans soul
was reused to thought and interest.
Hot, angry bushes chased each other
over his brow, yet he did not finch ;
every word of the appeal, though it
stnng him with its scorching truth
and searching questions, was perused
faithfully, till, at the end, the dainty
signature, "Your sincere friend, y
found him serious and sad.
at is. all true" he said. in low
tone, rising and pacing the floor will
Quick yet even steps. | am wasting
all Gods blessings; squandering IN,
wealth foolishly; undermining my
health wickedly; flinging my bes
wears away in folly, if not vice. How
earnest she writes! and her 'dea
brother seems from her very heart
Who wrote it? Ha! the same han,
on the envelope as inside, and it wa
directed by Amy Greyson. Am,
Greyson! always thought her
merry, light-hearted child but this
is the letter of noble, earnest, Chris
tian woman. How beautifully sh
writes! Yet-yet how she despise
me! How she lashes my follies ans
vices! With what bitter sarcasm sh
questions my course! yet how ear
nestlv she implores me to Pause Will
there is vet time, and think of wher
tho path tread will lead me! Think
All. she has raised a train of though
now that will not die-that | ca
never quiet again! Conscience
alive now, and there is no more care
less folly for me-"
Up and down, pacing sometime
with the slow tread of earneF
} thought, again rapidly crossing an
re-crossiug the room, his foot lalIin
with passionIe emphasis. he spel
the hours till long after midnight, an
when, at last, he sought his ow
room, Leonard Watson, for the fir
time in many years, knelt and in
> plored Gods blessings on his reso''
! tons for the future.
ClaireviIle wondered what ha
"colhe over" the young mlilionair
Old tenants who had been wont
look upon their young landlord as
easy going scamp, began to ope
their eyes over sanitary improve
! ments in their lowly homes; charl'
e appeals began to find ready +