Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-05-18
THE BRoKpNlE:NGAdEMENT.

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spare from-my peerless rose.r No doubt, ii
aoems selfish to Keep them all, when you
SO much desire n single one. You have
beon very kind to me, darling, since my
Illness, Frightening BY your presence and
sympathy many dark hours of suffering
) The rose ,troe shall be. yours when my
nights have become daysin that other land
/. Since little Eva was in, prattling Of yiour
two lovers, have had a story to tell you
: if you have leisure to remain, I think !
feel strong enough to relate it now. Raise
my head alittle, please; that will do nicely
thank you. ...,. q.
1t will be twelve years tomorrow, since
my twentieth birthday. Your mother was
= but one day past eighteen, but we always
celebrated the festivals together. Upon
this occasion uncle gave us a grand party.
I dressed early, for my betrothed Lawrence
.Elmore, had promised to come before the
company arrived and bring me flowers. I
anticipated something beautiful, for his
taste was exquisite. He came bringing a
boduet Of ,half-opeued rosebuds and blue
violets besides this, d branch from a rose
tree, bearing tbree:fragrant white buds, just
ready to expand into full flower. The
buds he insisted. upon twining with his own
hands among my braids and ringlets, which
he accomplished with wonderful skill, ma
king the green leaves. and snowy buds
gleam here and there among the dark
: curls in a way that won praise. and admi-
ration>from oil. "Afy taste" was commen-
<led again and again, and I laughed the
compliments. off as best could; for to no
one, not even your mother, had I told the
secret Of my engagement. Lawrence was
a'e:erk, industrious and economical. Still,
redeemed it not prudent to marry in less
than two years, and I insisted that if,he
waited long, the engagement should not
be public. My only motive was to avoid
the comments and discussions Of acquaip-
tances. ..--'
Our party passed pleasantly; the re-
freshments, music. flowers, everything, were
admirable; the company was; in fine spir-
its, and nothing occurred to. make it,as
dark hour in my life. Among the guests
was Mr.. @fTueton, just returned from a
heightened tour in South America
Early I'M the evening he was introduced
to me, and entertained me greatly with
accounts Of wild adventures and> descrips
tions of tropical scenery. Several times,
during the evening, we were thrown to-
gether, and that. subtle something which.
tells . maiden: when. SHE has; won new
admirer, told me tbat,L Lewis Hueton would
spursue tie acquaintance Months Of gay:
ETY. followed, and people began to: notice
the attentions Mr., Hpeton paid:me: Law.
renee was seldom present; books and. gtddy
occupied his: time: ;:save when: he speat.s
quiet evening with mo-: These evenings
became less frequent, for:I went out Coz,
stantly.;< There was new cherm, iasha
devotion of the wealthiesty bsh satssa
man Of tho set.. I never staphsa tksnk
whittier I was. drifting. onskdss sdae
ak mouths s5atter : our. party; e; EhlAsl
bouquet was sent:me;, with aAoss pa
not, seen my ,bctrothed for tws
ssaidsto myself, he has sent: !tSHflss
is coming tonight. ;: Iropened and ;feas
eeGIAaA:: With: the. flowers, saccep he
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