Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-12-23

twenty miles from the seminary. Annie'S homt
was in the blooming South many leagues away
and with doting fondness she clung to my mech
when we parted. kissed her sweet lips very
calmly, and put her away from me. One gentle
fearful look, and she was gone.
Two weeks at my brothers., and I received 9
letter from her. A transcript of her own pure
heart it was-gente and loving like herself
There was a full account of her homeward jour
ney, the blissful meeting with her parents and
brother, Philip; and then came glowing de-
scription of visitor at her home, friend ol
her brother Philip Noble, dignifed, and tai.
tented, she said he was, and of high birth and
liberal fortune.
read the letter through, but did not lay il
down 4 strange, undefnable feeling creptin at
my heart. Annie was we'll and happy; what more
did I ask Z? Shall confess it? The whole IN
divided love of Annie alone could satisfy my
Jealous nature. was envious of her affection
even to her own relatives; how could / calmly
hear her speak so warmly of one who was not
allied to her by ties of blood? know that a
fancy with Annie was but stepping stone to
! love and felt that buta short time would
elapSe ere my image would be torn from her
hearts altar, and that of the attractive stranger
placed there instead.
replied to her letter, but said nothing of my
unworthy feelings; and in due time her answer
came warm hearted as ever but breathing, un-
consciously to herself, the deepest admiration
for the young friend of her brother. Wallace
Malcolm was his name, and he had been Philip
| Graham's warmest friend at the university
where they had both studied.
| During the vacation, received several letters
from Annie, all full of love for myself, and ad-
mration of young Malcolm.
| AT last the time for the re-assembling of the
tschool arrived, and once more Annie and Iwerc
sitting in our little chamber at G. Annie had
drawn up the little ottoman to my feet, and
laid her bright head on my knee. Lying there,
with her trusting blue eyes upturned to my
face, she told me all that Wallace had said to
her; how he had told her that he loved her, oil,
so dearly and how he had begged for one word
Of hope.
"And what did you tell him 2" asked, very
calmly, stroaing the soft silky hair which lay in
| golden shower over my lap
''What could say, dearest Julia? he is so
noble and good, and he loves me so tendery
What could say ?nn And Annie hid her glow
| ing face in MY bosom. pressed the dear head
closer for felt that another would soon claim
| it-that other arms, stronger than mine, would
soon enf0d that slight formi ..that1warm love.
I seldom weep; if l did, should have wept
then. had been an orphan from my earliest
remembrance, dependant Oh the charity of Il
half-sister Of my father. Love | had never
known Those Of my own aye had ever avoided
me, FOR they f,ncietl me cid and heartleSs, and
older people called ME selfish Is it amy Won
der, then, that when one so good and beautiful
as Annie Graham had bestowed upon me the
boon had so long yearned vainly tor-is itany
wonder that | felt Il great fury at the thought
| OF losing her undivided affection? But my will
| was strong to do right; and holding her there
in my arms, anal lyzed my own feelings. saw
clearly my great unwOrthiness OF her Innocent,
higll-souled affection. | saw my own inward
hileousncsS, my despcab,e selfishness, and,
| with one powerful effort, cast out all bitter
feelings from my heart. l conquered all my
sinful jealousy and, from the depths of an
earnest soul, cried God bless you, Annie,
and make you happy as you deserved
Malcolm wrote often to his young finance
letters breathing to the oftiest sentiments, full
of noble thoughts, such as could be generated
only in heart alive to the truest impulses Of
honor. Ilscnsibfy grew to love those letters,
and to look for their coming with pleasurable
anticipation; for Annie had no secrets from Inc;
and every glowing line which Malcolm had
penned was open to my gaze.
Our school days were almost over. was to
90 home with Anne, to remain until after the
Christmas holidays, and Wallace Malcolm was
to come for us in few days. Annie looked
forward to his coming with buoyant spirits; and,
though strove to enter into her feelings, l
could not drive from my heart the strange fear
of meeting him which had crept in there. l
feared q something without name.
lie came ut last lie met Annie with 4 sort
of tender 10Y, and as her friend lie greeted nc
very kindly. lie drew us both to seat on the
sofa, and talked to us in his deep, rich voice !;
but I cannot recolcct single word which fell
| from his lips. I listened rs one entranccd. |
no longer wondered that she loved him. was
no longer surprised at the strange power which
his letters to Annie had cxerted over me.
In person Mr.. Malcolin was strikingy hand
some; Il classicaly formed lead, over which
waved profession of dark glossy hair; broad,
white forehead; Grecian cast Of features, and
| remarkably brilliant teeth added to u tall, elc-
cantly propotioncd form, 4 sweet voice and
Iighly cultivated mind. WAS it any wonder
that Annie loved him Z!
But did he love her! DIG ho love her with
that unseltish devotion which beamed from eve
ry feature of her face? aske,: myself the
question, but dare not answer it.
A pleasant journey we had to Annies bcautl-
full home 1t was rosy evening when we arrived
at the grand old mansion which bore the name
of the Ercrsreens, from the number oi tall
trees which surrounded it.
We were most cordially received by ALL Mr.
Graham was widower, and his family consiS-
ted Of his two children, Philip and Annie, and
any number of colored servants.
Mr.. Malcolm's parents resided on an estate
about ten miles from the Eversrcens.
Philip Graham was like lis sister: the same
clear complexion and love-lit eyes, the same ex-
preston of countenance, only Il little more SELF
reliant; and the same type OF gentlenesS was
all over him. He pressed my hands very kind
", and spoke of the joyful times we should
have in the coming holidays.
| had been at the evcrgrecns week, when
| perceived il visible alteration in Malcoln's
manner towards Inc. With the deepest pain |
saw him leaving Annie to sit by me; and, when
the good-nights were said, his voice sank to u
more thrilling cadence when he said the little
word to me.
discovered that Wallace Malcolm was trans
ferring his affections from Annie to myself, and
the discovery gave me no pleasure. had adj
mired him for what deemed his high sense of
honor; and this very change in his manners
lowered him in my esteem. [ could not love
where respect was wanting Had Mr.. Malcolm
remained true to Annie, should have loved
him; but such is the peryersity OF womans
heart that, when felt that had won him from
| - ..lo o,.t hin, oway from mo aS 1lnwOrt Inv