Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1854-09-14

| found her sltlng at her Work as usual
and bu, a slight tremnlousness Of the voice
and eistening of the long brown eye lash
told of The painful parting which had jus
taken place.
"When will William return ~ Ipresen,
Iy inquired.
ola May--liile less than one year."
''Aud then -
"And then we are to be married-so hole
yourself in readiness to be my bridesmaid
The summer passed, a season Of esd
untring, and prayerful toll, with the ing
student, and patient, hopeful, and sustaining
love, on the par, Of his be,ro,hed. Then
came the chill of autumn, followed by q
winter Of uncommon severity. Our deal
Annie, while on a nigh! visi! TO dying
friend. was exposed 10 sudden and fearful
Is,orm-,ook cold-sh, docs not my reader
anticipate the mourniul consequence? Her
mother, end elder sister had died Of con-
sumption, and soon, very soon, the seal o
death was on her blue veined brow, and the
very voice of the grave sounding in the
cough which shook Der fragile frame. We
knew that she must die, and she, like many
consump'ives, knew i. also; yet she was
strangely averse to acquainllng her absent
lover with the fearful truth. She wrote to
him that she had been ll-was still suffer
ing from debility but that be must not be
troubled about it, nor be painfully surprised
by her charged appearance, when he should
return in The sprlng. Not one word Of the
dread, last parting before lhem-of the grave
which might
"Rival the bridegroom, and take from his side
To repose in its bosom, his beautiful bridc,''
AT length Nav came around again, and
with i. returned William Gordon, the y Dung
clergyman. He was bowed TO earth by The
grea, and unlocked for efllclion which a.
waited him-yel meekly drank he The Bit
ter cup, for his God had ming led it.
Sweet Annie was passing rapidly from
earth growing more and more fragile in
form, and angelic in spiri, day by day, and
poor William became intensely desirous
that their union nigh. take place. Annie's
friends readily sssened, but she 10 our sur
prise, finally refused 10 grant the mourniul
request of her broken hearted lover.
One evening he was sitllng alone BY her
side, as she was half reclining on a couch ;
the hectic flush was more startling bright
than usual on her cheek, for she had suffer
ed much ,ba, day. aud as he thought how
very near nigh, he the dark wing of Gods
dread angel, he took her wasted hand in his
and said
Ooh, my Annie. let me call you wife, be-
fore you leave me! You would not be so
utterly lost TO me then, Tor | would know
you bearing that sacred name in Heaven
Refuse me not, love-"
ooh, William, William, urge me no Ion
ger," she replied, ''i! must not, canno. be
J am the bride of Heaven, you must not be
my husband, and hear me, deares, you must
no longer be near me-your love is precious
bu, !, is earthly, and it comes os a cloud be.
tween me and lhe glolies of that upper
world, To which hasten. Your voice. my
own, is sweeter to me than the hymns o.
angels, heard in my dreams Of heaven! We
must part, now-for every hour renders yot
dearer, and how can leave you-as last"
With heroic and martyr like calmnes:
spoke the mistaken grl-mslaken, for ;
pure love, for one worthy, is the holesl ant
sweetest preparation for His presence who
sis love-"
William Gordon saw her frmness, ant
that she was weak and trembling from TIT
excilemen. of The scene, aud
s'In close heart shutting up his pain,''
resolved to yield ins,an, and unc omplainin.
obedience TO her wishes. lie rose up calmI,
and imprinted on her forehead kiss o
mingled love and anguish, turned end wa
gone! Annie buried her face in her lhi
white hands, and remained in an egony O
grief. Then came vogue regrets for tn
course she had taken, and painful doubts O
the necessity of the sacrifice she had made
Presently she heard q well known step
William had returned His calmness ha,
lofsakcn him, and he murmured mploring
ly-
"lf must leave you to die alone, Annie
let me fold you once more TO my heart, be
fore go-i. will give me strength"
lie knelt on one knee beside her, reache
forth his arms, and sobbed like child q
she leaned upon his bosom.
No word was spoken by that pair, lovin
and faithful unto death, while the flood c
sorrow OF the souls grea. deep were broke
up. Yes, silent, but not fearless, knelt vii
liam Gordon, with his lips pressed again:
the dear head which lay upon his heart
Al las. he raised his eyes heavenward, an
those lips moved in whispering prayer-h
unwound his arms, would have risen, bI
Annie moved nol-she was clinging to hi
breast A smile Of Joy irradia,ed his face
, and his arms once again enfolded her. Sh
; looked up and murmured with something ,
} her old playful tenderness, more touchin
than ,he wildes. bursts Of grief
safe you no. stronger, dear William -
aAh, fear not, ny love"
J This is s'fonge, for when lel. III