Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-03

| which was as becoming il was convenieni In
II many girl who would have looked common
place in modern costume, appeared piquant il not
! pretty; and to Annie Livnaslone il was peculiarly
suited. Her broad but sIoping shoulder. and her
rounded waist, showed 10 great advantage in The
close fitting tigh! gown, whose clear pink color,
contrasting with the deep The nsey woolsey pei
tcoat gave look of freshness ard cleanliness 10
her whole appearance, which was enhanced by the
spolless purify OF her neckerchief, and the snowy
whieness of her throat. In short, with her we'll
Knit figure, her rosy cheeks her smoothly snood-
ed hair, her dark eyes, and her g wee Bit mouth
sac sweet and bonnie" Annie was altogether a
very comely lassie ; and when she bushed and
looked down, as AIick thanked her for her iudg-
ment given in his favor, he thought her so very
pretty, That he was strongly tempted 10 ca!ch her
in his arms and give her hearty kiss--a mode
OF expressing admiration, al which many girls in
! their primitive district nigh, have been more flat.
tered Than annoyed bu, there was something in
Annie Livingstones whole manner and conduct
which made il impossible to take such a liberty
with her.
Nevertheless; when the reapers returned home
that night Aick refused his broher's invitation 10
remain al Blink bonnie and he not only conlrived
10 keep near Annie all the way home, but as
waiting for her next morning at the end OF Dyke.
butts field 10 escort her 10 the farm, and make
himself agreeable 10 her on The way lhi,her, by
promising 10 show her where she could find some
wild flower roots, which Marian had long wished
10 have lranspIanted TO their lille garden.
II is c;tr.
kailyard OF yours 10 better account" Alick said
that evening, when, on the lea of carrying The
roots tor her. he accompanied her down TO the cot
iage " il would'grow potatoes and lurnips as well
as kali, and that would make pleasant change for
Marian"
Annie bIushel
May be So she said, ingenious!y, "bul have
nae time for garden-wok. wish whiIes that
had, for Marian is terrible fond of flowers"
The hint, so unintentionalIy given, was seized
with aVidity, and from that lime forward many of
Alexis leisure hours were devoted to Annies gar
den, and not Sunday passed over without a visit
to " dali Jeane's" cottage 10 bring a nosegay for
Marian Such considerations affected Annie yery
much but AIick' weekly visit, afer a lime, gave
lgh!tdl, certainly, 10 see how happy they made
Marian; and to herself, personally, they were in
every way gratifying, she did SO like to hear her
sister and AlIck talk together, 10 listen 10 their re.
marks on the books hey had read, and The thoughts
they had thought and 10 feel that, unlearned as
she was, she could appreciate The Intellectual gifts
which bolh possessed, and which they had The pow
er giving forth so we'll; but she soon found that TO
her mo'her Alexis presence was very disiaslefuI.
80 long as he was there, she kept loIerab!y quiet
strangers presence generally has certain CON
lrol over persons afflicted as 5, e was but the mo.
ment he quitled The house, she idemnfied herself
for her enforced COOL behavior by increased resi-
Iessness and ill-temper. She abused Alick in no
measured Terms, i'll treated Annie worse Than ever
and made Marian suffer in consequence.
And yet it was impossible 10 put an end 10 Al.
lck 5 visits. II Annie told him not to come to lhe
cottage, he said with a smile, " thai he would not.
il she forbade him, come ben The house; but he
could mol leave The garden uncared for, nor could
he do without seeing her and Main on Sabbaths
in Doklebult's field. Maria wonld miss him ifne
did no' come TO see her, and bring her noseeav,
and carry her down 10 The waeside, or TO The bon
ME fifwood on The Lanalk road il was so dull for
her poor body to spend iIka Sabbath in Dykebuu's
field. Besides Marin liked him 10 come, whaiey-
er Annie did "
Poor Annie's heart beat fast.
Ol AiickW she began, bat snddeny recollect
ing herself, she stopped abruptly, and no persua
sion could induce her TO finish her sentence
She fell nluiiyely that il was nol only TO talk to
Marian that Alick came 50 often. She was consc-
Gus that it was not Marlons Eyes he sought when
he spoke those beautiful words which caused her
heart 10 glow, and which seemed TO shed on earth.
and Tree, and sky, glory they had never known
hl now. Bot she felt, also, that this ought not TO
be, that in her peculiar situation she was not enli-
tied 10 encourage such attentions and yet alas
she could not be so unwomanly as TO tellhn plain
iy that she understood why he lavished so much
Kindness and time on her sislef No, she had 10Th
Ing for it but TO let things take their course, and
strive 10 guard her own heart ainst him sShe no
longer, therefore, neidcred ms visits but she took
every opportunity that offered to leave him alone
with Marian, and steal Out, meanwhile, to The
most sequeslered spots near al hand, where she
might commune with her ownhear and seek from
heaven the strength necessary 10 sacrifice her own
hopes OF happiness to The claims OF dug, and the
comfor, Of her helpless charges.
Thus lime stole on, I'LL Of hose lonely srolis
she chanced TO meet some OF her acqnanances
walking along the road in the Cfaignelhan direc,
lion. They greeted heartily, aad asked whether
she would come with them to lhe preaching.
" The prsachins?" she said. What preach
ingw
"Eh, lassie, did you no hear that Mr.. Cameron
OF Cambus, is to preach the night in he CampieId
Now his invitation was very tempting 10 Annie, !
Enr sha cnnld moi afIhrd 10 % rnnra nnl.a