LILY A ROMANCE - 1858 - D E D I C A T I O N . LAWRENCE COUNTP, AT, ABAMA. MY DEARM OTHE R - A s a feeble mark of my high regard and unchanging love, permit me to inscribe your name ipon the first page of this humble story. If my book can claim no other merit, it can boast at least me name that would honor and adorn the most brilliant literary achievement. In hours of gloom and despondency yonr kind and cheering words have stimulated me to renew my labors and when others judged me harshly, yonr approving smiles awoke me to a newer zeal. It is not on the. first leaf of a Romance that yonr character must be written but allow me to say that all those ennobling virtues that add a lustre to the name of woman are yours, and a long and useful life attests the fact. E lterecl according to , et of Cong-ci, ill rlic Fear l . S. l-ED YAliZ, GOOD-IS. in the Clerlis Ofice of tlie District Court of tlie Unitell 8t ltt- I. t l l S o l . t l e l i i t i l 1 . t of . Il lbnll n. LILY WHITE. CHAPTER I. Here, bile I roved, a heedless boy, Here, while through-paths of peace I ran, My feet were vexed with puny snares,, My bosom stung with insectcares But ah what light and little things Are childhoods woes-they break no rest Like dew-drops on the skylarks wings, While slumbering in his grassy nest, Gone in a moment, when he springs To meet the morn with open breast, As oer the eastern hills her banners glow, And veiled in mist the valley sleeps below was a noble lad. Even at an early age he exhibited a strong desire to mingle in every scene where trial of skill or exhibition of strength was called for he loved dearly to follow in the chase, and, by the time he reached his fifteenth year, not a youth of his neighborhodd-could excel him in throwing the stone, in leaping, or in the race. He was an expert and daring swimmer. He would frequently climb to summits whose dizzy heights would cause even a, spectator at their base to draw back in fear. It was, indeed, a glorious sight to behold tohat manly boy when his soul was in the chase. Over hills, over rivers, through dells and dingles, he would rush, like the swift-footed P deer which he pursued. No obstacle, howeper great, could 3 discourage hi no danger, howkver imminent, could thwart him. He was not distinguished for greajt size, being rather Gnder than over the general standard but he was so well formed, and carried himself in such a noble and dignified manner, that one would forget the defect. In personal appearance he was decidedly handaome. His eyes were dark hazel, and beamed with light and brilliancy. When engaged in quiet conversation they were soft and mild in their expression, but when he grew excited they sparkled as if his soul were on fire. His nose was of the Grecian cast his mouth, well formed and large his brow, highYrnoble, and expanding and his complexion as fair and rosy as that of a maiden of sweet sixteen. In his disposition he was kind and generous but, from the tkinkleof his eye and the compression of his lips, you could see thaty whin insulted or enraged, Eugene Saunders would prove, a terrible foe. He was blessed with loving and religious parents. Mrs. Saunders, his mother, was one of th6e dear, kind-hearted creatures, whb seemto be sent by Providence upon our earth as a guardian angel. His father was an. intelligent man, industrious and frugal, and by these means had not only amassed enough wealth to provide against the wintry time of life, but enough to justify one for saying that he was rich. Albert Saunders was not a brilliant man. Among his acquaintances he was held in high estima L I L Y W H I T E . 7 tion for his honesty, industry, justice, and truth. From these cardinal points nothhg could swerve him... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.