Lexington weekly intelligencer., 1878-01-05
CHAPTER II.

1t was past the hour of midnight, ana
very one except Lima had long since
sought repose. but alone in her COM
,ortess room she sat. needless OF the
raging storm, tor, without. the winds
mourned with q piteous cry; the rain,
cold and chilling. fell In torrents, splash
ing against the window pane; flashes OF
lightning came in quick succession.
illuminating the scantily furnished apart
ment, Notwithstanding the fierce tenn
pest, and the intense gloom OF the hour |
The calm serenity oil this young girls
brow remained unaltered; indeed she
hardly gave it thought; there was one
settled purpose in her mind. and that
was what made her so regardless OF
what was going on without. and forget
full OF the flight of time. So intent was
she with her own busy thoughts that she
did not hear the door open noiselessiv.
neither did she hear the light tootstep
cross the floor. but was wholly unaware
of the presence OF any one until hand
rested gently upon her shoulder. and
sweet voice said. half entreating. yet
kindly, Lima. darling, up so late ??
There was gentle reproof in the
speakers voice, that touched the heart
OF the Young girl, and throwing her
arms around her SISTERS neck, she kissed
her atfcctionatev and promised to retire
Immediately. do, Lima, go to bed, and
do not impose on your health in this
manner Do you not know ii you con-
tinue this overtaxing your strength that
you will wear out your constitution pre-
maturly? Take me as an example of i'm
prudence; see what wreck l am o!
my former self" 1t was pitiiul indeed,
to look at her wasted form. and compare
it with the superb looking woman OF one
short year ago. Lima accepted hel
sisters admonition with a just convictior
of its truth. for she had been busy al
day. lending a willing, helping hant
, wherever her assistance was required
) and she knew that she ought to have
retired early, but her natural spirit o
| ambition predominated over ever,
thought of prudence. Night being tn
2 onlv time which she could devote t
+ study, she very naturally acquired tn
t altl-destructive habit of keeping lat
y hours. Faithful to her promise, Lin
retired as soon rs Grace left her. bu
q sleep refused to visit her speedily. fo
d she had an idea of doing something. an
i she found it impossible TO compose hel
e self for the night, until she came to
satisfactory understanding with hcrse
/ in regard to 1t. Lima had very kin'
hearted aunt living in Baltimore,
l. whom she always wrote when anythin
: troubled her. Usually she received col
d ISOLATION in the shape of lengthy lett
1t iull offender sympathy and good advic
d With Lima it had ever been subject
Il deep concern, as to how she would
# educated She had exhaused her thin
k ing faculties in trying to devise son
,r means OF obtaining the only thing whi'
.r she coveted in the world. At last. tire
,r and pcrplexed beyond measure, 81
= went TO her aunt for advice.
d Lima ielt that there was not an id
D. moment for her to spend. for there W
to her invalid sister and little Agnes.
a 4 f,r
,e its impress heavy upon the brow OF h
T. aged parents. Lima was very young
IN entertain such sober ideas; young
al look into the future with such deep CO
i'd crrn; but hers was q reserved natui
at which disdained the more trivial thin
he which usually excite admiration in t
he youthful heart. Her mind was OF III
al susceptible. .precocious character, whe
X while quite child. betrayed the ia
or genius of thought with which it "
he gifted. As said before, Lima wrote
X. confidential letter to her aunt, beggi
,e- that she would instruct her what to
at Her letter was answered immediatel
in it her aunt told her that she had be
to see the superioress OF y convent
by Georgetown. and had made all nee
ss' sary arrangements with her, to recel
he her in that school, and if she liked, s
Ip- could remain there until she graduate
by then if she wished, she could tea
lat and repay her, and have her own til
rst to do it in 1t was with truly CRATE
rs. heart that Lima read this piece OF &c
lid news. 1t was so thoughtful, too, of
hs dear kind aunt. Lima did not 60 to
TO- mother Immediately with this inte
en- gence, for thoughts of her invalid sist