Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-03-19

waters ever rising and falling, with fairy
like music, into the pure white marble ba-
sin beneath. 1t was surrounded by flower
beds, Stocked with flowers of rare descrip-
tons the nIurmur of the water and the low
Whispering OF the leaves as the breeze gen
tly stirred them seemed to have had their
oftect.upon us, for VIC both grew quiet and
thoughtful. We had been conversing mcr
rily upon an approaching festiyity to be Civ
ell in honor of my birthday, and then of
our union, which was to take place shortly
after it..
had just finished the glowing description
ofmy cousin Ida, who was to be present at
the festive scence, and stay with me to of,
ficiate as my bridemaid, And now, Al
BERT Isaid, luughngly, "youmust prom
ise me not to fall in love with Ida. | warn
you, she is very beautiful"
She cannot be lovcler in my eyes than
you arc, my own Florence" he answered.
Us ne drew me gently toward him, and laid
my head on his shoulder:
llookcdat him, wondering at his scri
GUS tone. The moonlight shonc on his no.
bic intellectual countenance; that high
white browomIost cleaned in the soft light
and felt that loved him more than /
dared own even to myself, and shuddered
at the bare possibility of my words coming
lwas proud winning the affections of
such man as my own noble Albert, and
wished for the time when should present
him tony cousin. 1t came at last. She
was / have said, a very beautiful girl, but
naughty and impcrious, for she had been
subjected to even less control than myself.
As she swept into the room and perform
cd the ceremony of introduction, Il was
pleased to see she looked little surprised
MS her eyes rested on the tall commanding
figure. of my betrothed. They seemed
pleased with each other; we were a merry
party, and the daysseemcd all too short for
u.s. .-.+ -I .,...
1t was the evening before QUA intended
birthday excursion, and we sat in our pleas
ant drawing-room.. The windows were
open to the ground; the muslin curtains
waved gently to and fro, as the summer
breeze played about them, bearing into the
room the oder of the thousand bright flow
crs which surrounded the fountain. The
moon sheda light upon the scene we had
been conNersing on many subjects love,
music, and poetry---all had been discussed.
Ida had spoken last, in low eloquent tone,
She seemed to have taken n new character: ::
hescntiments she expressed were those of
simple minded conGding girl, her heart
hiled with love, / listened with SURPRISE
and thought Of her usual gay conversation,
Suddenly Albert reused himself from the
reSerieinto which he had fallen, and asked
her to sing. She refused, saying she would
not unless he would sing first, lie readily
complied, and taking hisguitar he sang
German serenade, which he knew | was
very fond of. The rich tones of his voice
had scarcely died away, when, without
speaking, Idq, rose and went to the piano
After a short modrpful prelude she sang
these beautiful lines of Shelley's,:
Asthe moons soft splendor. .
Der the faint cold starlight of heaven is
thrown.
So thy voice most tender.
To thestrngswithout soul has given its own
Tie stars will awaken,
Though the moon sleep full hour later to-
night:
No leafwill be shaken, - 1s
Whilst the de%s of thy melody will scatter
delight.
Though the sound ovcrpowcrs, -
Sing again, with thy. sweet voice revealing
tone
OF soue world far from ours
Where music, and moonlight, and feeling aro
Ida was an accomplished musician, and
the song was sipgularly adapted to the
scene; but a jealous pang found It's way to
my heart as her sweet clear voice sounded
in my ears. bitterly asked myself why
she had chosen that, and why when she
came 10 the-words, $50 thy voice, most
tender,3 her own voice should sink to such
low, thrilling whisper. y.- =.
/ rose impatiently when the song was
ended, and called for lights. felt astrapee
choking sensation, and It was for the first
tlmeaa relief to me when Albert left U.S.
L hQstened 30 my own room, andthrsw my
selfou seat; ,doubt, had entered. my soul.
Was il possibleshe was trying to wiphim
from Ra27-and Albert, would he be won
lwas sick. with apprehension. a thou
sand lr0collections crowded pom mei my
brain seemed on, fire; and / pacod backward
and forward in fever of excitement. /
remembered her ,wondrous beauty, her
great wealth sand alas! I forgot' .Alberts
plightedfaith to me. aIwiIl watclIthem.
~ cried J; "tomorrow 1 viii watch them
closely z Nh, why did not reflect upon
{, the mean part | was about to aott aud trust
to Albert's honor and TRUTH ~
The long wished for morning of my
birthday dawnSd; everything was gay and
lovely around me. I opened my Window,
and looked out; the birds ware singing
merrily, the voters Of the fountain fiashed.