The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-12-26

AMDEN, S. G., DECE'M]
Not so the young girl who lay by
her side; for Linnie was wretchedly
sleepless and remorsefully miserable,
and all night through the dusk of the
chamber her lily flower cleaned just as
shostly white as her own troubled face.
New Years morning! And the mer.
ry bells poured out their peals on the
sweet crisp air. Beautiful women in
furs and velvets and diamonds passed
by to the palaces Of worship, or the
mansions Of feastingf And yet every
where, even within. the sound of those
gleeful bells, thousands of hungry in
nocents shivered with cold, ,and thou
sands of homeless men and women could
say with the prosecuted one: "The
foxes have holes, and the birds of the
air have nests, but the son Of man hath
not where to lay his head" ..@--.
I wonder if the world is ever as
thankful for the good it has done as
for the good it has received?
Linnie thought bitter things that
morning. All ber~'ife she had been
hampered and fettered, and now she
was the football of destiny that it
seemed impossible 70 avoid.
Much as she esteemed Mr.. Gilmour,
she shrunk from such a soulless union
with him as she would have done from
any other thing that desecrates woman
hood. ~ y .....---..,
"Oursed be the social wants that sin against
the strength Of youth .,.i..
'Cursed be the social1ies that wrap US from
the living TRUTH" ...- -
Over and over again Lime quoted
this anathrma from 'Locksley Hail.
marveling if ever she in the life to
come should be strong and brave enough
tn drug her memories .....s...
The New Year feast, that she had
scarcely tasted, was over. and her rela-
tive, taking her siesta in an easy-chair,
when Mr.. Gilmour came. Linnis shiv.
cred as she saw him..
MY dear child, do you repent yet of
your promisee' he asked her, kindly,
"A promise is to me a sacred thing
she replied ,evasively..
Granted But were Erie Warford
still living2' - ....,...
He has broken his VOWS to me- was
the laconic response. ,....-
perhaps so. Perhaps be is living,
and is true. Perhaps he is on his way
to you even now
She struggled to her feet, and fixed
her startled eyes upon his face.
You have something TO tell me, she
cried. What is it?'
For answer, the gentleman opened
the door and admitted Erie Warford.
ii have brought my grandson call
upon you, Miss LinDie,' he said.
But the girl heard nothing except
her lovers fond and passionate words,
aud saw nothing but his dear face, so
unchanged and true.
You forget yourself, Melinda observed
Mrs. CARL, greatly shocked,
You are mistaken, retorted Mr. Gil
mour; she forgot herself when she al
lowed you to direct her judgment and
her heart. She would have gone to
the altar like lamb to the sacrifice
after you bad convinced her it was her
duty. You would have sold her to me,
chat you might live in ldleness and
self-indulgence. Erie, don't be selfish :;
I want to have word with the little
ONE - :
Liunie turned and put out both her
pretty hands, with a little gesture OF
coaxing depreciation.
Forgive me, child he began, before
she could speak ; Il was bitterly dis
appointed when Erie refused to mar
ry rich woman whom I had chosen
for him. Finally I made conditions
with him. He was to stay there, look
ing to my business, while I was to come
here and see you. If You proved to be
all he represented I agreed to withdraw
my objections. The boy believed you
so true that no length of silent absence
could make you forget or accept another,
ch? But, my child, l never had a
thought Of allowing you to sacre6ce
yourself, and I am very fond and proud
Of you, my children
So they were all happy except Mrs.
CARL. who considered herself the most
vastly abused of all womankind.
This is the happicst New Year Of
my life,' said LiGnie's handsome young
lover, after they were all calm again.
:And, by-the-way, I fancy this lovely
lily kept back its blossom for my re.
turn. It should have bloomed weeks
ago. Did it, too, with my love, whis-
per 4 waltz Was it long waiting,
dear 2 -.
Very loug-very sorrowfully long,
she returned and a tear, for past un.
rest and present bliss, dropped again
into the white heart of The winter lily,