Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-05-22
Mlisffllolreolls.
ANNIE LEE; Or, THE BRIDAL SONG.
Ys KATE RANDoLrn.

Annie Lee was.a poetess. Nature made |
her one, and she sEng as the bird sings, and
the flower sends out fragrance. She lived
with her parents in the beautiful country.
Annie lad many admirers. The old loved
her for her sweetness and simplicity. She
had lovers, too, men Of efnement and culture,
who looked down into her young heart, and
saw the treasures that lay al ihe bottom. But
rs vet Annie loved no one than her parents;
she sung her songs from out gushing soul,
and reiniced the hearts, and made beautiful
The lives OF all WHO came near her.
One summer day, as Annie sat sewing and
chatting with her mother, they saw from the
windoA q sirarge guest approaching The cot
tase. Il was Earnest May, an o.d friend who
had been absent for ten years from his native
country He had returned with a mind richly
stored with experience and knowledge gained
from abroad. Ten years before he had taken
ANNE Lee in his arm and pelted her as
pretty and erfled child as she really was. He
~ss then young man Of twenty, Annie
child OF seven years.
Annie looked about the face Of their guest,
and wondered how she could have forgotten
her old friend. Earnest looked into the beau.
tiful poetic eyes Of the lovely girl, and though!r
lie had never seen, even under the ltay'sfai
skies, more attractive face. The visit was
brief, and soon came 10 OH end. Earnest May
wen 10 bis life fstudy aud thought. Annie,
still a cottage girl, went more often into th.
deep wild woods, TO weave into graceful
gongS the (ancies that crowded her brain.
new aspiration had come 10 The young gifi with
the presence Cf the stranger. cord hitherto
untouched now thrilled in lis strange melody,
and Annie's song was more complete and haf'
monioUs.
Earnest May was not declared lover. Hs
was ever calm and dgnfied IN his sheclioT
for Annie. He may have loved TIE beauiiiu
child, but how well no one could iei: per
haps lie thought only Of her as a gifted chic
OF song ono SO fingered in her presence chain
ed by sympathy oil mind over mind.
Annie did mol ask heIself II Earnest love'
her. She only felt his kindness, and wa
blest in Ter own absorbing passion.
Ore summer day Annie was surprised b.
the auival Of Earnest She had uot bee
warned OF bis approach, and she sprang owe
the door sill with light almost Wild step, !
welcome him.
nYou did not Tell me you was coming EsI
nest, and now i am more glad that you di
NOT, !or this surprise is very sweet.
~ have come sooner than thought to, iC
most tenderly, even passionately, lovely gir
DO not turn your eyes from me, am sure 20
are my good friend.
ais she pery beautiful Earnest, said Annie
trembling,
"Ab, Yes, Annie, more beautiful than eve
your own widest fancy ever wope into SOM
will you, dear child, when you are in u
glow oi your highest Imagination, write br
Slal song2 and let it be more rich in beau
Ghaa the sky is at midnight with stars. 0l
Annie, she is diyinely beautiful, for giflt
soul looks ouI OF the soft features, and ting
ahe smiles and lights the eye with more thi
human beauty. Will you not rejoice with m
that at last can see with lovers vision tn
tie scales have all fallen from dead eyes, al
now everywhere see newness ol life.
Annie was silent; she did not say she reioic,
in her friends happiness.
'Forgive me, Annie, for Withholding Il
secret from you SO long, Il was sweet 10 he
tin my soul and gloat over il, and look at
with misers eye. You forgive me, Annie
s.Yes, yes, foTgive."
Earnest aud Annie did mol meet sgain |
The familycircle were gathered fotthe event
Earnest sat apart from Annie, and eugag
the old people in pleasant conversation.
ME listened, but looked out into the night
the soft moonlight on the green soping BAT
She was exefting more than physical pow
over her thoughts, aud striving 10 beat back
law fumblines OF the tumult that in her you
ardent nature was bursting int0 fFesh reb
lion.
The efFor, was loo great. A dizginess ST
into Annie's oveT.taxed BRAIN She saw
trees dancing, The brook waving backward !
forward, and The moonlight shadow swan
fore her eyes, Shr uttered ialnt cry
would have fallen from her seat, had not
nest who had bsen watching her lnlen
sprang fofwpTd and caught her IN his arms
They took Annie 10 her bed.
The powerful excitement Of The day. v