Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-05-29

II hope you will excuse US, Annie,
for entering so abruptly, but we heard
you singing, and my friend here
wished to hear the conclusion of the
piece; am excused?.
"Ohl certainly, on condition that
you are not guilty of so great a trans
gression on the laws of etiquette
again." replied she, for she had en-
tirely recovered her self-possession
while Ray was speaking. .a
"And am l included in that gene
rous pardon, Miss Sanford?" asked
Mr.. Percy, IF 80, prove it by conclud-
ing the piece you were singing 80
sweetly when we disturbed you. 1t
is a favorito ballad Of mine, and ]
should be pleased to hear the remain
der" and he led her unresistingly to
the instrument.
Her check again crimsoned, and
this time with vexation, that he
should have heard her playing his
favorite; but she could not politely re-
fuse; after it was finished an interest
ing conversation ensued, and Eugene
soon took his leave, saying that bust
ness called him away.
Annie and Mr.. Percy passed an cx-
tremely pleasant time, conversing on
poetry and music, and various other
subjects on which he spoke with q
peculiar charm, and it was with sur
prise that they heard the clock strike
the hour of ten.
"Idid not dream twas so very late, !"
said he, taking up his hat, "but when
an interesting subject is under discuss
ion we do not note how swift time
fiies.'' .15.,n
As Annie accompanied him to the
door rose fell from her hair, that
Eugene. had playfully placed there,
and he stopped to pick it up, saying
as he did So
Permit me to keep this flower,
Miss Sanford, l will treasure it as a
sweet remcmberance Of the pleasant
moments l have spent in yeur COM
pany this evening"
She hesitated q moment and then
replied
.'Certainly, Mr.. Percy, if it will af-
ford you any pleasure, the rose shall
be yours. " 'e sli e
sThank you,' he said earnestly,
and as he bade her "good night. and
turned from the door, she saw him
press it to his lips.
1t was with heart beating with
emotions that Charles Percy sought
his hotel that night for turn which
way he would, the sweet face of An
ME Stanford seemed before him. -
Evening after evening found him be-
side her, and Mr.. Stanford was well
pleased with the devoted attention
paid to his daughter by the wealthy
Percy. Several months passed by,
and Annie sat one evening in sweet
little bower in her fathers garden
She held in her hand arichly emboss-
cd book, the gift of Charles Percy,
and IL was TO him her thoughts were
straying at that moment For some
time she remained in u deep reverie,
which was broken by hearing foot
steps behind her, and before she could
turn her head, n handful of roses was
showered over her curls, and the OBJ
jcct of her thoughts was beside her.
Why do you look 80 solemn, Miss
Stanford?" said he as he seated him
self beside her; "you seemed 10 be
quito absorbed in thought-may ! ask
tho subjcct?"
"You are quito too inquisitivc, sir, !"
she replied, as che shook tho rose
leaves from hdr hair, "and / do Mt
think j shall crafty your curiosi-
tyl"
IIe laughed Us he took up the book
she had been holding IN her hand,
saying.
I" VOL, suppose | must remain in
ignorance, then but sec you wcrc
looking at my unworthy littlcgift; do
It's contents please you. or have you
yot peruscd itY spt
al o, yea, tbcrc nrc somc sweet gems
of poetry contained in IL, and mo-
thinks | should novcr weary Of rcad.
ing those beautiful poems on Friond-
ship.
For some minutes hc remained ei-
lent, and looking up, she saw his
dark, expressive cyce fixed upon her
with On earnest glance, that sent u
crimson flush to her check and brow.
Miss Stanford, /" said he, taking
tho littlo hand that was withdrawn
from his clasp, ~ have travelled
through many foreign countries, and
| have sought among tho beauty and
hshIon Of other lands 10 find one DO.
ing 20 lovo and cherish, one being on
whom could lavish tho best affec-
tIons Of a heart capable Of loving tru.
Iy and dcvotcdly; have seen many
ihIr forms and bright eyes, and yet
my heart hns always turned from
these butterflies Of high life, and un-
I'll saw you, ] have never met with
one on whom | could oast more than
q passing thought. And now, dear
Annie, | ask you TO share my heart
and home homo that II nil that
wealth can make II, and heart that
will ever be true 10 you. Speak and
tell mo that do not nsk In vain. -
Her head was bent low over the
crimson volume In her lap. and as
the low, earnest voice ceased, she rails.
cd, and throwing back thesunny ring
lets that shaded her blushing cheek,
she laid her little hand conhdlngly In
his.
The answer was sufficient, and
when, half nm hour afterwards, they
left the jcssamino bower, the moon
was shining brightly, and shed q sof-
tened radiance over tho noble figure
Of Charles Percy and tho graceful
form of Annie s. as they strolled Low.
ingly towards tho house. as
Two weeks after tho event narrated
above, Charles Percy was sitting In
| A.. L.. III. L..