The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-02-21

For a long time she sat there by the
window darkness came on, but she needed
it not there was no darkness Of the spirit
there, aud her heart was illumined in its
innerpost recessest by light from within,
light that depended not upon outward OBJ
jects-light clearer than that of the sun at
monday.
"Why, Lily, dcar!" exclaimed the cheer
ful voice of Mrs. Mason, (" are you here
We thought you had not come in yet and
fearing you were lost or in some trouble or
other, George started in pursuit of you some
time ago. And now, while he is tramping
through the woods in search of you, here
you are, ensconced in your own little room
safe as a saint in her niche. But bless me,
child why, what wound upon your fore
heaa,;' and dropping the bantering tone
sho had before used, and approaching
quickly to LiIys side, the good lady asked
seriously, "What is tho matter, Lily p
What has hapened? %
"Thore is nothing Of consequence the
matter now," replied Lily, and She rapidly
sketcbed the occurrences of the afternoon.
She did not think 1t necessary to tell the
whole story, aud was thankful that the
blush she felt rising to her very forehead,
as she mentioned the name of Frederick
Gordon, was concealed by the increasig
darkness.
"Really, quite romantic adventure
you have had" said her aunt, as Lily con-
cluded her little story. 81 suppos, that.
as in duty bound, you intend falling in
love with Mr. Gordon forthwith. l fancy
your bright eyes had done some mischief
in that quarter already; and now wouldn't
it be funny if VIC should have wedding
here, eh, Lily~ And thus she ratified on
while they were descending the stairs, and
proceeding TO the parlor where tea was
waiting, never once dreaming that there
was anything like truth in her playful jest
Had she done SO she would have been very
serious, for she well knew it was no light
thing for maiden to place that priceless
treasure, her young hearts pure love, in
another's keeping.
Lily escaped from the family circle soon
after tea that evening, under plea of fatigue
and, in truth, she felt the need of rest
She longed to be alone with her newly
born happiness; to recall the looks and
words that had so thrilled her heart. She
was young, very young, almost child in
years and she had not learned that the
treasure she had found that day was one to
be received with fear and trembling. She
took the angel guest to her bosom, fearful
ly, it is true, but oh most joyfully; and
she lay down upon her couch that night
to dream only Of long, long days of bliss. -
She knew, indeed, that something of sorrow
must fall to the lot Of mortals but would
not even that be sweet if shared with him ?
With such thoughts as these she knelt to
offer up her evening prayer, and to bless
her Father in Heaven for the new we'll
spring of JOY that had sprung up in her
pathway.
How bright and beautiful was every
thing in the outer world when Lily awoke
next morning There had been a sho 1er
d lring the nigt, and a thousand gems were
sparkling upon every tree and shrub and
flower. The mist was. rolling up from tn
mountains, but it lay heavily above the bed
of the river, marking its windlngs as far as
the eye could reach. 1t seemed to Lily
that earth was never so beautiful before /:
and there was melody in her young heart
as she stood by the open window, listening
to the trilling of the birds, the low murmur
OF INC WateT-lal', anu All IHc sweet SOUNDS
with which Nature welcomes the approach
of the May god. When, her simple toilet
completed, she descended to breakfast
that morning, old Mr.. and Mrs. Mason
noted with surprise her unwontcd loveliness
She was, Indeed, as Frederick Gordon had
said, very lovely at all times but now her
face was radient with happincss-that
most efficacious of all cosmetics and her
eyes beamed with added lustre. Perhaps,
too she might have arranged her dress
with rather more care than usual for in
those primitive days it was not considered
necessary to attend to the duties of the
toilet half.dozen times a day, and Lily had
whispered to herself, Frederick will sure
ly be here oday."
But the morning passed and no Freder-
ick appeared. Hour after hour of the af.
ternoon rolled away, and still he came not.
She listened with beating heart to every
approaching footstep, aud wondered what
could keep him from her side. At length
she heard in the distance the sound of ap-
preaching wheels. She looked from the
window and saw Mr.. Gordon's carriage
slowly toiling up the hill, and, shrinking
behind the curtain, she watched it as it
drew nearer and nearer There was a flo.