Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-03-21

claim his bridc) proposed ride over to tho
Manor. Tho hearts of the lovers were as
gay as the fcathcrcd songsters which scared
above them Us they cantered merriy along,
Ethel caroling forth joyously, while proud
Harry rode by her side, thinking her more
lovely than ever; aud she certainly looked
charming, seated gracefully upon her littlo
Shetland pony, her riding habit of dark
grey cloth fitting well her small figure,
while her golden rinslcts cscupiug from the
comb which confined them, danced ia the
sunlight, and her violet blue eye bcamed
with happiness from beneath the little
jaunty straw hat " hich sho wore.
The Manor was reached at last, although
it would havo taken aught but lovers a
much shorter space of time to arrive at their
destination. After dismounting, Harry
amused himself by taking stroll over the
grounds, while Ethel went in to speak with
tho old housckecper, who gavo her an open
and apparently unfinished letter, which she
said she had found in tho sleeping apart
mcnt Of tho lato Mr. Belmont.
Ethel, seeing that it had no direction, aud
thinking that it might prove of importance
to her friend, sat down to read it. It ran
thus:
81, Horny Belmont, feeling that my days
arc numbered, wish you to know, Lionel St.
Clair, the cruel injustice l caused to be
committed against you and my ward, Isabel
Darcy. Although you saw mo not, was
witness of tho interview which took place
between Isabel and Maj Eliote. l confess
to having gambled with him to such an
extent that found it almost impossible to
pay him, when he made me the startling yet
nevertheless pleasing proposal, that if l
would make interest for him with my beau.
tiful ward, for whom he expressed great
admiration, he would cancel tho debt.
"lt is needless to say that he persccutcd
her with his attentions. Not all her scorn
could drive him from her side. saw from
the first that her heart was yours, and know
that our vile schcmo would prove failure
She very seldom saw him, although he
visited hero frequently, for on hearing his
footstcp she would flee like some hunted
thing to her own room and lock herself in.
On that eycntful morning he had stolen up
on her unexpectedly while she was Watering
her plants on the balcony. When finding
retreat impossible, she told him of her
engagement to you, and when he persisted
in proffering his suit, shc ayowcd her hatred
Of him, and said that if he did not with
draw his insolcnt attentions, she would call
you to her aid.
"l was in my apartment, that opens on
the balcony, and could SEQ the spcakcrs
distinctly through the parted curtains 1
watched your faco when you perceived them
together, aud to my dying day never shall
forgive myself for not having given an ex-
,,1o I I, l, ,sol T
stoned two constant hearts. You turned
away or you would havo seen with what
loathing she burst from him, and I could
hear her agonizing sobs as she fled along
the corridor. My feelings were touched,
and could bear it no longer. rushed out
and asking Elliott into the room, signed
paper giving him every cent I possessed,
besides some of my personals, and badc him
never darkon my doors again. Believe me,
Lionel St. Clair, shc is a noble girl, aud
worthy of your affection.
1t was dated the day Of the old mans
death. Ethel hastily concealed the letter as
she saw Harry returning The young man
noted the flush of joy on her cheek as he
took the small glovcd hand and liNcd her
upon her pony, but glad to sec her happy
home Ethel hastcncd to her father, and
learning Lioncls direction, she enclosed the
precious document Immediately, then wrote
long and affcctiopatc letter to Isabel,
telling her that she was to be married
within a week, but did not mention the
discovery she had made, so that the surprise
might be all tho greater.
1t was Monday morning in the busy
world Of London, and VIC find Isabel in the
school room giving music lesson to her
youngest pupil, tho pet of the household,
and tho especial favorito Of Isabel. This
task was generally pleasure to both teacher
and scholar, for Emma, though wilful, was
warmhoartcd aud affcctionatc, aud had a
finc car for music, and as she looked upon
"Aliss Isabel" as q superior being, they
were fast friends. In fact, Isabel was
beloved by all who knew her, and though
her young life had been very much sad
dcncd of lato, surrounded by many friends,
as sho now was, she could Lot help regain
ing her former chccrfulness.
The lesson finished she turned hcr atten--
tion to rcctify tho crooked lines in Blanchc's
drawing. Tho subject was an Italian
image vcndcr, and though possessing much
talent for the art, the little girls picture
was not altogether correct, and Isabel, cf.
facing tho lines, began to form them
ancw. AS her pencil glided over the paper
she remembered that this was the anniver-
sary of tho day that Lionel st. Clair had
left SO abruptly without ono word Of fare.
well. She was fast falling into a rcvcric,
when the merry voice Of her pupil aroused
her:
"Oh! Miss Isabel. how much handsnmnr