The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-05-28

! S '' "'' TIC 'our oi Europe, declaring
pompously. that no wolnan'> education couI,
bc considered complete until she had scc
ai that was to be seen in Europe.
Assoon rs Harold heard this news, h,
obialned his unclc's consent to his marriage.
flew to Annie, aud soon won her confession
OF love and acceptance of his hand, conf
dent OF success, the two repaired to Mr.
Ashley's study to get his consent to their
union. lie received them; Harold poured
forth his pro,csta,ions of love for Annie,
spoke Of the length of their acquaintance
and cou'sh;p, and finally asked him for his
! daughters hand.
"Beuton," said Mr.. Ashley cnlllv. "wl,a,
fortune have You to offer to my daugh-
! tcr?'
Il have my fortune TO make, Mr. Ashley,
! 1t Is trur," said the Young man. " but am
Young just Of age, my uncle vii! share
his practice with me, and have every pros
! pcct of doing we'll | am known in the
village ard have many warm friends. who
will, for my uncle's sake trust me to pre-
scribe fol- their aches and pains.
"Ihis sounds very plau>ilI,,,' was the re
ply; "hut YOU must pardon my pl,iu speak
ing, my daughter is now an hc:rr>S. and
must wed higher than a country I.!,vSican
1t Is strange matrimony did not ucc cur TO you
before my fortunes improved.
Sir said Harold"
"Ihcrc, do not fly into passion. know
all you would say Of diSin,rrcstcd love. and
all such trash. My daughter sir declines
your offer"
Father" said Annie, in a low tone, Il
Harold"
"Fudge? you will outgrow it. You fan
y you love him bccaasc You never had
another lover. Wait girl till You s,e these
who will flock aroun'l the hcircss, and then
YOU may choose a husband worthy Of YOU.
Good evening Mr.. Ecnton,' aud he turned
to leave the room. "ls,member, Annie" he
said, as he left the room, Il positively for
bid any correspondence to keep You remind
eel Of this nonsense"
Poor Annie sat in a state Of ,l>pa;r To"
great foI words, and Harold, Checking. with
+: Indignation, surprise and dis'nav, WAS in no
state TO comfort her.
Nh'a they are a!o"c too.;li.r, before
they part for years, l-t me describe the
| lovers. Annie is .: medium height. with Il
graceful, slight figure, well rounded, bat
slender, with pretty little feet, and sna!
: delicate hands; her complexion is clear,
pale, but sometimes, VIXEN cx"itrl, her
checks vie with the roses for Lri,iianrv.
Her features are delicntc, her hair rich
glossy chestnut and curling, she wear, it
gathered up in Il kno, behind, suffering the
curls TO fall around her face, her eyes are Of
dark, hazel color Now us she sits un,u
large armchair, in her fathers study, lnr
face is deadly pale, her eyes di!atcd, loukur
; with drspairiny eagernr<s at Harold. aui
her hands cla>ped and laying in her lap.
Harold is tall, and finely formed, us f.a.
lures good, his hair very dark and curling.
his eyes black rs night. His face how
working with passion, at the ungencrnu<
taun's Of Mr.. Ashley. his large eyes flashing
and his figure drawn to It's full height,
make him picture Of generous indign..
''"n. Suddenly his eyes fall upon Annie.
With low bitter cry he sank down before
her, his head resting upou the arm Of he.
chair, his'fury gone, and only his grief re.
manning
"IIarold," she murmurcd, in low cho!;
ing voice.
"Oh! Annie! I cannot give You up" he
cried, standing up again, and natching he,
in his arms. MY love, my love, how can
we bear to part 2"
1t was bitter parting. Harold left tn,
house an hour after. and went with rapid
strides to his own home, and was not seen
in the village for several days. Annie left
Aubnrndalc the next r:orning
Two years passed away. Harold wa
alone in the world. Dr.. Benton dying o
disease Of the heart soon after, the youn.
mans great grief, left, him the moderat,
fortune he had laid by, and his practi.,
among the good people of Auburndale. Th,
little village had in these two years grown
utterly distateful to the young doctor h.
missed Annie at every turn, and at home
his uncle's place was q ssd vacancy. A
length, having sufficient means to wsrran
the leisure, he started to make the tour O
the United States, previous to starting 70,
Europe. He had heard nothing from Ami,
since she left Auburudale, but his old low,
was strong and constant, as the young Ia