American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-08

eyes and manner that filled her lover with fear
and alarm.
"What ais you, Annie--dearcst Annie?n he
said, leading her to his mother, who placed her
beside the fire, and chaied her cold hands -
What has happened to bring you from home
at this hour?"
Annie's eyes wandered from Charles to Mrs
Gardner.
ayes, yes" she exclaimed, at is happy
homeland taces-kiud words--il is like hca-
ven"
"Annie, " said Mrs. Gardner, "you are here
with those who love you. Tell me, dear child,
what has driven you away from. your fathers
roof to-nght!"
"Ah, remember now" answered the poor
girl, shuddering, ''though stopped my ears,
yet heard it all They called me to go down
they said that Tomorrow should be his wife!
Save me!-savc me-" and gliding from her
seat, she sahk on her knees before Mrs. Gard
ner. "Let me stay heIe!--it is like heaven to
be here,--do not send me home again"
Much affected, Mrs. Gardner raised her, and
endeavored to soothe her alarm; then taking
her to another room, she laid her on her own
bed, and watched beside her till Annies ex-
hausted frame found rest in sleep, When she
returned to her son, she found him in ANXIOUS
thought as to their future proceedings. He
had met Carr and his son on their way home
with Brice, and doubted not that the stranger
was the man selected To be Annie's husband.
There was no time 10 be lost, and many were
the plans of conduct he proposed to himself,
but there existed the same difficulty with re-
spect to them all
"He is her father, after ALL" said Charles;
che vii! claim her, aud what can we do?''
/ After a long silence, Mrs. Gardner said:--
! "Charles, ! think a word Of mine could pre-
vent Mr.. Carr's claiming Annie, nay, believe
! could send him from among us for ever"
Charles stared with much surprise, and his
mother continued, with much agitation
Il have for many years hidden secret
which thought never to disclose, but it is time
you should know it., and, perhaps, you will
blame me for concealing it so long. must 90
back to the time when the Cars came to live
in this village. At first they inhabited tho
small house next to us, and we could not but
see them often. | was already widow, and
You were at school, but you may remember
how young Carr used to come here sometimes
to play with you in your hoiydays. Mrs. Carr
was woman of high family, who had ran
away, as have heard, from miserable home
with this man. lie was then mate OF trad
ing vessel, and often carried goods, smugglec
they said, to her fathers house. Poor thing
she paid dearly for her folly. Many hare
word, ay, and many a hard blow, have seer
and heard that high born woman bear from
} her brutal husband. 1t was little enough
+ could do fer her, poor soul! but many tim
: when he was out Of the way, have stolen int
; the cottage TO say kind word to her in he
} trouble. Annie was baby then, and it was
sad sight to see her lie laughing on her mo
theirs lap, little needing the bitter tears tina
mother shed as she looked upon her.
"The poor creature never complained, bu
there was u heart-brokcn look in her face tina
no one could mistake. At last, on one sum
mer's evening" heard Curr's voice louder anc
more angry than had ever heard it before
was alone, and as his wicked words fell on m
ear, grew sorely frightened. Presently Their
came sound OF heavy blows, and | started al
and ran | knew not where, but, in a few mo
ments, found myself in my neighbors' gar
den and through the open window Of the cot
tago, saw the unhappy woman on her knee
before him, her murderer. Charles, | saw tn
: blow struck saw her fall on her face--h
had killed her. ] heard him say so, and ie
myself senselcss Oh the ground. When re
covered my consciousness, was still there.
Go be concluded in our neXt)