The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-09

everything but her book, Rosa finding out
the difference between A and X, at her
knee, and Susan, with some sewing, talking
to her, while Archy, mounted on the back
other CHAIR, was demolishing the finery in
Susan's basket. BY the way, Mother, are
you not making nursery maid of her. Is
she to take care of Archy, and do your sew
ing, as well as teach the girlss"
ut was just cap wanted trimmed, and
| don't know how Archy came to be there"
Evening fell; Marion was seated in her
own room, tired with her days labor, and
sad; sad as she thought Of the change in
her life. Could we read her thoughts, we
should see at once the secret of her life.
She loved Harry Ashly. Bound to him at
first by tics Of fervent gratitude, his gentle,
brotherl Y care of her from the time she en-
tered his aunt's house had ripenel this feel
ing into deep, intense love, which she jeal-
ously concealed and guarded. Many times
when he pressed upon her brow the kiss Of
affection, had her heart beat and struggled
with emotion almost to bursting. lie had
never spoken one word Of love to her. Al
ways kind and attentive, he was more like
loving brother or cousin, than one who
coveted dearer name than either. When
he went to Europe, two years before the
time Of his aunt's death, he had, for the first
time, let fall some words which Marion
cherished as the dearest lie had ever spok-
en-; they were,
"Good bye, Marion dear. Be true to me.
Remember 1 am your first love, and must
be your last. did not bring you here for
any of Aunty's pets to run away with"
That was all Mere jest, Marion often
thought, and yet the words were printed on
her memory. Who that has ever loved
does not know how one phrase, or some
times even one look will linger on tue heart;
forgotten, perhaps, while the loved one is
near us, yet recalled and dwelt upon when
absence makes the idol still dearer.
Though constantly employed, Marion
had found her new home pleasant one;
but now, the return of the son and heir of
the house made her situation very disagree.
able. George, thoughtless and gay, did not
dream that his attentions could be unaccep.
table to any one, and charged Marion's cold
replies and guarded manner towards him
to her proper sense of her position, striving,
by renewed attention, to make her sensible
Of how entirely he overlooked it. Marion,
conscious Of the utter Indifference with
which she regarded him, did not under
stand the praises Mrs. Morton lavished upon
her prudence, or the cautions she piled her
with, not to think that every fattering word
from gentleman was serious admira-
ton.
Far away from home, Harry AshIy was
wandering in the Highlands, when the news
of his aunt's death reached him. 1t was
when he heard of Marion's fororn situation,
that he first thought seriously Of his love
for her. lie had loved her from the first
moment he saw her, though he would have
laughed, had any one ascribed his interest
in the little girl to such potent cause. He
was wealthy, and had often dreamed of ma
king her his wife, but did not speak to her,
because he reasoned that they were all very
happy together. and if she did not return
bis love, it would break in upon the dear
home circle; perhaps she would leave them
if he spoke of his passion to her, and so
deprive him of her presence, and his aunt of
companion. So he never spoke Of it,
treating her always like dear sister. Now
that she was cast upon tho wide world,
poor and friendless, he determined to 20
home and tell her how long and truly ho
bad loved her, and if she would not marry
him, he could, at least, set aside some of his
aunt's fortune for her. He was convinced
that Mrs. Ashly had intended to provide
for the orphan but, like many others, she
delayed from time to time carrying this in
tention into effect, until it was too late.
George Morton's attentions, in the mean
time, had grown SO offensive to Marion.
that she was looking out for another siiua.
ton, where she could teach, and be free
from him.
Again fortune favored her. There was
an old lady, Mrs. Grant, who was about to
travel South for the benefit of her health,
who eagerly availed herself Of the 'opportu-.
pity Of securing; Marion's services as a CON-
panion. Writing to Harry, to acquaipt
him with her change Of plants, Masion$took
akind leave Of Mrs: Morton aud d.her dsueEs
ten. and started with eMrs. Grant for Char
lesion, q place which her new patron VA was
!in the habit 81. visiting every: Winter SIZE
did not mention her destination to Mrs.