Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-11-21

what namc?" she asked i'll lo1T voice
''Thomas Wingflcld. F"
Now Lily moancd aloud and 81 aer turn
caught at the palcs to save nersclf from
falling.
sIdeemed him dead these IS years. she
gasped, drowned in the Indian seas,
where his vessel foundered.
II have heard say that he was ship
wrecked in those seas, sonora, but he es-
capped death and fell among the Indians,
who made god of him and gave him the
daughter of their king in marriage" And
Ipaused.
She shivcrcd, then said in aohard voice:
Continue, sir 1 listen to you.
s'N1y friend Teulc took the part Of the
Indians in the wars, as being the husband
of one of lhei- princesscs he must do in
honor, and fought bravely for them for
many years At length the town that he
defended was captured, his one remaining
child was murdered, and his wife, the
princess, slew herself for sorrow, and he
himself was taken into captivity, where
he languished and died"
"a sad tale, SIR" she said, with little
laugh-a mournful laugh that was half
choked with tears.
"A very sad tale, sonora, but one that
is not finished. While he lay dying nly
friend told me that in his early life he had
plightcd troth with certain Englis. maid
named'--
II know the name Continue"
'sHe told me that though lie had been
welded and loved his wife, the princess,
who was very royal woman, that many
times had risllcd her life for his-ayc, even
to lying at his upon the stone of sac
rifce, and of her own free will-yct the
memory of this maiden to whom no was
once bctrothcd had companioned him
through life and was strong upon him now
at its close. Therefore he prayed me for
our friendships sake to seek her out when
I returned to Europe, should She still live,
and to give her message from him and to
make PRAYER to her on his behalf.
What message and what prayer?" Lily
whispered.
This: That he loved her at the end Of
his life as he had loved her at its begin
ming; that he humhly prayed her forgive
ness because he had broken the troth
which they two had sworn beneath the
beech at Buckingham
Sir" she cried, what do you know
of that?'
''Only what my friend told me, sonora. 1"
"Your friendship must have been close,
and your memory must be good, " she
murmurcd.
(Which he had done" 1 went on, ''un-
der strange circumstanccs-so strange in
deed that he dared to hope that his broken
troth might be renewed in some better
world than this. His last prayer was that
she should say to me, his messenger, that
she forgare him and still loved him. as to
his death he loved her"
''And how can such forgiveness or such
an avowal advantage dead MANI" Lily
asked, watching me kccnly through the
shadows. Have the dead then eyes to
see and ears to hear:''
''How can know, sonora? l do but
execute my mission
''And how can I know that you are a
true messenger? 1t chanced that I had
sure tidings of tie drowning of Thomas
Wingield many years ago, and this tale
of Indians and princesscs is wondrous
strange-more like those that happen in
romances than in this plain world Have
you no token of your good faith, sir?"
light is too faint for you to see it.''
"Then follow me to the house. There
we will get light. Stay" And, once
more going to the stable gate, she called
John.
An old man answered her, and knew
the voice for that of one of my fathers
serving men. To him she spoke in low
tones, then led the way by the garden path
to the front door of the house, which she
opened with q key from her girdle, mo-
tioning to me to pass in before her. did
SO, and thinking little of such matters at
the moment turned by habit into the
doorway of the sitting room, which knew
SO WE'LL lifting my feet to avoid stumbling
on its step, and passing into the room
found my way through the gloom 50 the
wide fireplace, where I took my stand.
Lily watched me enter; then, following me,
she lit taper at the fire which smoldered
on the hearth and placed it upon the table
in the window in such fashion that, though
was now obliged to take off my hat, my
face was still in shadow.
'.Now, sir, your token, il it pleases
YOU"
Then I drew the posy ring from my fin
ger and gave it to her, and she sat down
by the table and examined it in the light
of the candle, and as she sat thus saw
how beautiful she was still and how little
time had touched her except for the sad
ness in her face, though now she had seen
eight and thirty winters. saw also that
though she kept control of her features rs
she looked upon the ring her breast heaved
quickly and her hand shook.
Tho token is true onc," she said at
length. Il know the ring, t.r.ugh it is
somewhat WIN since last saw it. It was
my mothcr'C, and many years ago gave
it as a love gage to youth to whom
promised myself in marriage. Doubtless
all your tale is true, also, sir, and thank
you for your courtesy in bringing it so far
1t is a sad tale, q very sad tale. And now,
sir, as may not ask you to stay in this
house, where live alone, and there is no
inn near, propose to send serving men to
conduct you to my brothers dwelling, that
is something more than 4 mile away, if,
indeed" she added slowly, you do not
already know the path. There you will
find entertainment, and there the sister of
your dead companion, Mary Board, will
be glad to learn the story Of his strange
adventures from your lips" "
bowed my head and answered: First,
sonora, would pray your answer to my
friends dying prayer and message"
1T is childish to send answers to tho
dead"
''Still pray for them, as was charged
to do.
s'How reads the writing within this
ring, sir?''
Heart to heart,
Though far apart"
I said glibly, and next instant I could
have bitten out my tongue.
''Ah, you know that also, but doubtless
you have carried the ring formany months
and learned the writing! Well, sir, though
we were far apart, and though pcrchance
cherished the memory of him who wore
this ring and for his sake remained un-
wed, it seems that his heart went a-s'ray-
Inp-to the breast indeed of some savage
woman whom he married and VINO porc