The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-02-10

tto"ght that nothing on earth could break
the tie which existed between US.
Friends of the family said | was proud
and imprrious my teachers declared me to
oe w'liu' and unmanageable when these
complaints were made to my father he only
smiled. and passed his hand over nv hair
with soft caressing motion and then he
would look into my eyes and say that he
Saw neither pride nor bad temper there ;
nothing but sunshiny love. And SO nv
teacher grew more Careless when they found
that their remousirances were UNDECIDED
and h"rame more diSagreeable than ever
AT length there came a change My
father no more came home early to spend
the evening with me; but often it would
be towards midnight when he would lay
awake and wonder what had kept him out.
At breakfast, when l asked hin, what kept
him away from home so late at night, tc
would look annoyed, and say that business
detained him, and 1 mustn't be trouble.
ssme.
Mustn't be troubeso me Those were
strange words falling from his lips for me.
and | bronded over them with sad heart.
It seemed to inc as wandered about the
large rooms in anr quiet house, that I,
mourned drooped as if had lost
somethiug-something very dear to me
which should never find again.
And 80 matters went on for time.
ceased to trouble him with questions, and
he didn't seem to notice me dull, downcast
looks. The short hour each day, when we
met at breakfast and dinner, ne was as kind
to me as ever; once he asked me ifI would
like to 60 to boarding school He was
afraid I would be lonely, being in the house
SO much By myself perhaps it would be
better for me to have companions Of my
own age. I strongly objected to this
scheme, and tho subject was never again
mentioned.
Ono evening he came home much
earlier than usual a joyous light shone in
his eyes as he greeted me, and yet he ap-
peared to be rather embarrassed. Anne
he said,' I have good news for you 'What
is it? Inquired, anxiously. I'm going
out or town for n few weeks; when re-
turn lady will accompany me, new
mamma for you, and you will no more be
o"ely. | know my. dear daughter will
welcome ber with pleasure for my sake
He looked at me keenly; I returned
his gaze resou'eIy, though felt tic Grim
son blood rush in tide to ms fa,e and brow
then slowly recede again, leaving me pale
and cold. Well he exclaimed impaticntIy
you will receive her kindly may no,
depend upon that?' Certainly; why pota
l said coIdly as left the room.
The next morning he wen, away. How
~earily the few weeks, which followed after
this event. passed. look back now to
that period Of my young life. and it ap
pears like sorrowful uneasy dream yet
there was the reality Of terrible misery
" it. A deep haired took possession of my
hear not for my father. but for her who
mad robbed me ofbis love; and determin-
ed, az far as lay 10 my power, to make her
lite as miserable AS mine had become.
Time passed on, and at length the day
arrived when Il stranger was 10 enter the
house rs its mistress. 1t was n treary day
near Christmas time; cold raw air was
blowing, and binding sleet drifted against
the window.panes. The gloomy shadows
OF the wintry twilight were falling fast when
the carriage stopped at the door. The
parlor was brilliantly lighted up, and
cheerful coal fire. g!owed in the CRATE to
all appearances . comfortable home awaited
the travellers. ;ish,
The door bell rang, and fsSncealed
myself behi d the window-curtaips to watch
the occupants Of coach aigbt. Papa jun.
ped out. and then carefully assisted lady
over the snow pavement and up tbe steps.
Thin was the sound ofmerry lagstsr in
The hall, after which my na,ns wasasslIed,
and relutantly came forth from my hiding
place as they entered the room together. |
thsught I had never seen sany creature
half go beautiful as was the young bride |
when she came foEYard with timid grace to
meet me. Her long glossy curs tell upon |
her white neck and shoulders, and sbone
like gold, and her large lustrous blue eyes
we're esd npon me, so loveiugly. so plead
'ngly, that I felt it would be hard to resist
their influence. sa' r,G,, LII
i went forward step or two, attracted
BY her besming countsnauss; thsnfI saw
ny father loking at her with sucb A planca