Litchfield enquirer., 1860-07-26
was warmly received by mother and


 daughter who, with the simplicity and con- fding sincerity of elevated nature, did not doubt for an instant that was what seemed I spent an evening, every moment of which appeared to me Q seperate and perfect world of happiness, ard when l re. turned to my poor chamber leaned my head upon my hand, and remained lost iD thought for an hour, and when lay down, dream. ed of her, and woke thinking of the girl, and trying to ask God to bless and protect her. am not ashamed of that prayer friend of years, and do not doubt that it rose to the throne of the Almighty. Let what will happen-let things look as they may-I bow my head and submit myself, as child to Him who rules us, and sends the sunshine or the storm, as He wills
 will not lengthen out this portion of my brief story either, but get on to the end of it. For some months I continued to visit Annie, almost every evening now; and as met her as of old, at the corner wonder, her beauty and goodness filled my life, as it were, and riveted those chains which her loveliness and purity had bound me with. loved her with all the deep and earnest passion of my nature, and she saw that did, and was too innocent and destitute of art to feign indifference I had, at the end of the time mentioned, the unspeakable hap piness of knowing that I was as dear to her as she was to me; and now looking back through life of many decades 1 recall no sensation approaching in blssful intensity of happiness that first throb of rapture, upon finding that the lovely and pure-hearted girl had lowered me with the whole affection of her nature. I think God gives us on this earth few purer or happier emotions, and I humbly thank Him for this gift to me. His unworthy creature.
 was Annie's accepted lover.
 III.
 Two RIVALS
 With the exception of three or four elder ly ladies of the neighborhood, reduced in cir cumstances, like Mrs. Claston, no che visited at the house to which so regularly bent my way, but young man named Lackland.
 He was the son of wealthy merchant who had formerly been parishioner of Annie's father, in the country, and his ac- quaintance with the young girl had com menced accidentally at small evening par ty in the neighborhood. Lackland was about my own age, and might have been called handsome, but for the weak and ir- resolute expression of his lips, and the lurking and uneasy glance of his eye-characteris- tics which he vainly tried to conceal beneath g laughing and careless manner
 From the first moment of his meeting with Annie, he fell in love with her, as com pletely as was possible for him, and as his fathers wealth was placed in great meas ure, at his disposal, he understood the ad- vantage which the circumstance gave him, and he used it.
 ] will tell you in moment how he man. aged to impress upon the young girl the possession by himself of what I lacked-an abundance of money. I will say first, that the young man dressed in the most splendid fashion i; that his equipage was in the finest taste, and that every trait of his manner, down to the most unconscious movement, showed that he was accustomed to the high est and most fashionable society.
 Nevertheless, he did not advance in the opinion of Annie, or her mother, and had, what to a lover is the profoundest pleasure the conviction that a moment of my society was more valued by Annie than an hour of his.
 The wealthy young lover affected not to understand this, although it was plain to the commonest apprehension, 1 thought In spite of everything, he did not seem to un- derstand that his visits were unwelcome, and persisted in frequently coming in the eyen- ings, in spite of his cool reception. On these occasions he bowed with an easy air; salut- ed me, when I was present with friendly familiarity, and sat down, playing with his hat and smiling. It was impossible for An nie to treat any one dscourteously, and though she had taken dislike, almost, to MT. Lackland, she did not betray this i'm pression, but met all his advances with the most perfect and maidenly courtesy, but nothing more I have never seen more perfect exhibition of what is called the 'high-bred air." than that of the girl on these occasions, and Lackland seemed to think as did, that any man might be proud of such wife.
 The visits of the young man were contin- ued as regularly after our engagement as before. and he had for some time been send ing Annie very handsome present, anony- mously, and in such a way that they could not be returned, but just with that transpar- ent veil thrown over them, which the eye ea- silly pierced.
 One evening a servant handed to the maid at the door small box, and then dis appeared without waiting for an answer, or leaving any gentleman's name. The box was succinctly addressed to "Miss Annie Claston," and contained pair of magnificent bracelets.
 When I came, Annie showed me the jew els, and at once recognized them, having seen Lackland purchase them that morning at Whites. The young lady asked me to advise her what to do, as she was convinced that Mr. Lackland had sent them. I did not mention my meeting with him, and felt unpleasantly about it. l begged her not to give herself any annoyance, that I would return them, frankly informing MT. Lack land of her disinclination and on the next morning I did so. ...-
 met my gentleman coming out of the Club, whither had gone to seek him, and handing him the box, said that Miss Claston had commissioned me to thank him, but to beg him to receive back the jewels
 "Jewels l" said the young man, swinging his ivory-headed cane, and holding his other hand behind his back, what can you mean, my dear fellow ?" a~.sl | Tn the nresent instance. jewels means