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

Twilight's shadows had darkened
the earth; and at an early hour, the
handsome and spacious arplors of Mrs.
Sanford began tofill with Annie's gay
and fashionable yaung friends. An
ME, herself, tastefully arrayed in a
plain white satin dress, with single
white rosebud in her sunny curls,
was seen gracefully moving around
among her companions, with a smile
and pleasant word for each one.-
At length Eugene Ray was announce
ed, and as he entered the door near
which she stood, he advanced, follow
ed by a gentleman, whom he intro
duced rs his frined, Mr.. Percy. She
gracefully returned the strangers pol
ishcd bow, and after a few words had
passed, Eugene left them, saying, in
laughing tone. 81 leave Mr. Percy
IN your care, Miss Annie; you are re-
sponsiblo for his safe return to me
presently" Annie returned the re-
mark in the same merry tone, and
from that moment, she and her new
acquaintance converscd with tho ia-
miIiarity of old friends. He offered
his arm for promenade, and..as they
joined the numerous couples that were
proinenading around the spacinus
apartments, little did Annie know
how much she was cnvicd by many
of her acquaintances, while not a few
OF the gentlemen present would have
given much II she would have listen.
ed TO their words Of love, with the
same attention that sho paid TO the
intelligent and interesting conversa-
tion OF Mr.. Percy. ugs
The piano was opened, and after
several pieces were performed, a song
wns requested from Miss Sanford
She Immediately complied, without
any ailectation or excuse, and us her
sweet voice rose softly, the busy hum
of voices ceased, and oil listened with
iapt attention while she sanga boau-
tiful popular mir called "Osssan's Ser
onade," and as the last notes died
softly away, the stranger, who stood
beside her, asked In low TOM II she
sang tho "Lnst Rose of Summer. =
She replied that she cid, and after n
short prelude sang ~ II possible,
sweetor than the frat; ut any rate Mr..
Percy thought 40, by the earnest
tones In which ho thanked her, as he
lcd her 10 n ecut when shc concluded.
During tho romaindcd OF the evening
he scarcely left her aide, (much 10 the
vcxation Of n young lady who had
ondcavorod by various pretty looks
and sweet smiles 10 captivate him)
and whom tho hour arrived for his do
parturo, II was with request to DO
permitted 20 call on her the next eve-
ming, which was granted,
IL was long time before Annie
closed her eyes IN slocp that night, 80
much woro her thoughts occupied by
tho Incidents Of tho evening, and
whom she did, her dreams were Of tho
noble looking strangcr. When she
first received on introduction TO him,
she was ataftod by something In HE
countcnanoc that she thought seemed
ihmiliar, and though she know she
had ncver seen him before, ehe was
puzzled more and moro zach moment
There was peculiar charm In his
voice that fascinated her attention,
and aiter lIstning 70 IL for while, she
thought that she should novof weary
of hearing II, as he dIscoursed elo-
qaontly on various subjects. He
was not strictly handsome, yet there
was n mild, snd expression beaming
from the depths Of his dark eyes, and
the high expansive brow gave owl
denco that he possessed highly intel
lectual endowments, ltappeared 10
Annie that the day was twice It's usu-
al length, and when evening Mt last
arrived, she felt her heart beat In
"doublo quick time" ms shc seated
herself at the guitar 10 calm herself,
while waiting his arrival She ran
her fingers over tho strings In silence
for somo time, and then involentari.
Ily, sho began TO sing In low voice
1.-THE Last Rose of Summer" ls
s4"As she concluded tho first stanza,
q slightnoise In tho apartment caus-
led hcr 90 turn ber head, and sho, be-
| hold Eugene's roguish eyes looking
over her shoulder, and a short dis
tanccback stood Mr.. Percy. Eugene
with the privilege Of m old acquaint
ance, had entered unannounced, and