The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-12-27
YEWYEARss AT LEIGH HOUSE.
BY s. ANNIE FROST.

It was New Years day, and Mr..
james Leigh had consented to his
house being made rendezvous for
all his pretty daughters friends, on
that evening. There had been no
morning receptions, but invitations
were out for large social meeting in
the evening, and more than one pref
ty face had its bushes deepened by
the thought Of some special partner
with whom to dance at Anna Leigh's
New Years party. Il had been a
custom of Mr.. Leigh's sister for many
years to have this annual gathering,
andpretty motherless Anna had been
allowed to come down IN her simple
white dress and partake of the festiv-
tiles, although not OUT" but this
year the young girl was to take her
place as the hostess, having been reg
ularly introduced into society few
months previously.
The little fntter Of expectation that
girls, heart-whole and free, experience
before party, had given place with
Anna to the deep calm happiness of
loving where she had won the pure
devotion of a noble upright heart In
return. From a child, Harold Leslie
had been her favorite companion and
friend, and when he came to her to
plead for the sweetest title man wins
from woman, she put no mask over
face or heart, but let him read the love
in her voice and eyes. 1t was match
that suited all Mr.. Leslie was wealthy,
well born and gentlemanly; sweet
Anna Leigh was the only child of
millionaire, lady in position, edu-
cation and birth. So the course of
true love ran very smooth, and, as
Anna pinned to her dress the sprig of
myrtle Harry had placed in the bou-
quet, sent that morning, she had no
thought of any jar in the smooth cur
rent of her happy life. Before anoth-
er New Year dawned she hoped to be
happy, beloved wife, dispensing the
Inequalities of her husbands house.
The large parlors were filled at an
early hour by the invited guests, and
as Mrs. Morton and Anna greeted one
after another of their friends, the
elder lady had scarcely time to note a
missing link in the chain. But the
eyes of love, watching for one face, will
never forget to note its loss, though
the whole world beside crowded round.
The hours passed heavily to the
young hostess, for, in the brilliant
throng there was not one voice that
could make the music her heart COW
eted. Where was he? In the morn
ing he had called, his bright, manly
self, full of life and vigor. It seemed
impossible to believe that any i'll had
befallen him in those few short hours,
yet equally impossible to think any
thing but an imperative necessity
could have kept him from her side.
Fatherl' if0mi 81 c6 oIIh =
It was late in the evening when the
word fell, in pleading accents, upon
James Leigh's ear, He had with
drawn a little from his guests, and
stood looking over the room with a
gloomy brow and firmly set lips.
Well, Anna?"
What was it Mr.. Hunter said,
just now, about Norris Leslie. Harry
is not here!'' The last sentence whis-
pered low, as if the utterance choked
her. #n-,1q~v 7z,. fue1..
"I'll tell you TOMORROW. GO ia dance
now. child; and see here, Anna, don't
be too stiff to young Markham; he
comes of good stock. No swindlers
in his family, I'll be bound"
I" Father, what is it? Tell me now.
Come, we are not wanted. Come into
the library"
=" Tomorrow, child, tomorrow.
Now 0 father, come now.'''a 4
The white face, imploring eyes, and
the suppressed agony in the voice
were more than the loving father
could resist. Reluctantly he yielded
to the hand that led him from the room,
but before the library was gained his
arm was wound round the young
girls waist, to keep the trembling,
shivering figure from falling.
Is Harry dead?" she said as he
closed the door x.ttst
Dead! no! Better if he were!'
No, no, father you cannot have
such desperate news as that for me"
Anna, you must tear him from
your heart, blot him from your life.
Norris Leslie absconded to-day with
the funds of the bank of which he is
president-he is swindler"
but, father, Harold!"n t.AANA FL
:" His son accompanied him"
She dropped at his feet as if the
sentence had shot her dead.
1T is a pretty mess, altogether"
muttered the merchant, as he lifted
| the little fgurein his arms, and car
| ried it to sofa, and my little pet
will be the worst sufferer. I'd like to
have them here for one hour" and he
ground his teeth together. Now, if
call folks in, this will be all over
town tomorrow, and | econ't have
Annals name banded about in this
connection. Fortunately the engage
/ ment6 is8 not much known. Anna (
darEnn - MALL N L1INA.LAfa g.