The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-09-11
9 GaIs Of first arb Only gobe.
+" MEMORY BELLS"

Through the dim vista Of by-gone
years come stealing family the fairy
chimes of Memory Bells. Gentle, mourn
full, Memory Bells how dreamily ye are
a#aasd to my charmed ear, waking deep
thoughts of huted years within my heart
and opening, with magic hand, the misty
portals of the past, thus revealing to my
eager gaze the light and shadows OF
s'long ago"
Oh! how dark were the shadows, hang
ing so gloomily DER my young pathway,
like boding clouds DER summer sky, and
nearly crushing the spirit too proud to
reveal its internal VOC to the careless
world. Oh, no. even in the darkest
hour, when my faithful monitor, "bright-
winged hope" had deserted me, and de-
spair, in all her gloomy array, was pre-
siding over my bleeding heart, even then
1 moved with a careless smile, and
proud gay light in my eye, convincing
the world that 1 was indeed rs happy and
as joyous as seemed.
Accomplished and beautiful and sur
rounded by every luxury that wealth
eoald procure, it was not strange that l
should advance to girlhood, knowing no
viii but my own, and making no effort to
subduc the wayward, passionate, though
fondly trusting heart, or quenching the
burning fire, even for the sake Of that
fondly loved one-noblc. manly Clarence
Dalford. Oh. how beautiful he was ;
and, to me, so far superior to the gilded
butterflies among whom he moved with Il
peculiar gracc-so easy to him, and so
rarely attained. Handsome, talentedand
wealthy, he was nattered and csrcssed
by all; and many girlish heart beat
faster at his approach, willie fushes over
spread fair round checks at his winning
smile. But to nc that smile was more
than all else on earth; it cheefed and
soothcd me as ministcring angel soothcs
asuffcrjpg child. My heayt bowed down
Is him, and lay painting at his feet, long
ing to be taken to The manly heart; and
how proudly and joyously beat that hsart
syhsn those soft, dark, heautifNl eyes
looked into mine own, and that musical
yeicc told me that was deaseY to him
than aught else on earth.
And then followed days Of oh syeh de-
licious joy and happiness, when earth was
to sae "a dream Of bright-husd flowers" !"
and then came the scorn and passion
the cruel, cruel words, the cold E!rcwcll-
all these And now they are brought
back to me on those softly -pcaling chimes,
and remembrance of the l9ng-eqrnest,
,igonizing gaze from those beautiful eyes,
and the trcmulous voice murmuriag;
~ have loved you, Aana, Heayen
knows how we'll; but after those words,
can no longer remain true to my en-
gagement; farewell" |"
And when he had gonc-whsn l had
pondcred upon the words l had uttered,
then
..Thc dusk grew round me, and my heart
s1yore still duskcr aspect"
lhad forfeited love, esteem, everything
fora passion that had spent its whole
force upon him, who had never, aerer
wrcnged me, but WHO had only endeavor-
ed to subdue the naughty, wayward spir-
it that would not be controlled.
x * * X
"Another sweet head on his bosom now claims a
IN .rightful rest;
The curls are wavy and golden and The eyes like
violet's breast
nour home is looking very beautiful
now; Cousin Anna; will you come and
make the promised visit in preference to
Newport and Saratoga"
Thus wrote my Cousin Julia from her
western home; and, three days later, L
was with her, wandering through the
lovely little village, conversing gaily OF
"agld lang syne," and not noticing the de-
parting twilight until the sound Of loud
laughter and boisterous voices warned us
to eretrace our footsteps for twilight had
already deepened into night.
SIT is some intoxicated men from the
village tavern, Anna," whispered Julia;
awe will step in here until they pass; !"
and opening small gate Of fancy iron
work,. she ushered me into an elegant
garden, delicious with the odor of vase
q exotic plants. And up through the flow
ering shrubbery bright lights were gleam-