The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-05-31


1 improved our acquaintance rapidly; and
1 assured Alico, who, during our drive
homeward, rallied me not n little on my
peculiar fortune in captivating the ugli-
est man in the room. that l had never
met with SO sensible q companion, papa
always excepted.
/ aThank you, my DEAR" smiled our IA
ther.
Three happy weeks succeeded, enliven-
ed by skating excursions, walking par
ties, and many gatherings round the
evening fire. Wilfred and his friend were
continually with us, and still John Ow-
ems place was ever at my side. What
my feelings towards him at this time re-
ally were 1 can scarcely tell. Girl-like,
I was fattered by the evident pleasure
which this man, SO far my superior in age
and intellect, found in my society, but as
yet had not learned fully to appreciate
his excellence. Consequently, it was with
no peculiar emotion that heard the an
nOuncement one afternoon, tnaI Inc neAt
day would witness his departure.
Wilfred and Aice-now openly be-
trothed, and only waiting until the for
mer should have completed his college
career to be united-were seated in a
distant window, in the fast falling winter
twilight, exchanging lovers condolences
and I, with my father and Mr.. Owen, sat
around the fireside. Presently there was
a ring at the bell. and the former was
summoned to his surgery. John Owen
began to express his regret at our ap-
preaching separation.
eyes, indeed" 1 replied, III am sorry
you are going. We shall all miss you
very much"
AS I spoke I glanced at Wilfred and
Alice; but my companion did not, or
would not see the glance.
aAllw he repeated earnestly. care
you really sorry? Oh, Florence, call it
madness, presumption, if you WILL but 1
must speak. I must tell you, before we
part, how dearly, how devotedly I love
youl Yet, what have I to hope2 I, a
poor college tutor, homeless and penni-
less; while you, Florence, forgive
me-"
aoh, hush, hushp I cried, tearfully.
aDo not speak such words Indeed, l
never thought of this. LIDO not love you.
I do not seem to know my own heart as
yet" :,
Enough Florence," he replied, with
calm, sorrowful dignity. "Ah, child, had
you known it, you would never have
trifcd with my heart as you have done.'
A strong, yet not unkindly grasp
was laid upon his shoulder.
had entered unobserved, "she is child
Think no moro of this weakness, john
my good fellow Had it been otherwise,
I could scarcely have given my daughter
to man, however estimable, who has nc
home to offer her. Flora, shake hands
with Mr.. Owen, and so to your room"
John left Eldoun the next morning.
did not SEQ him again.
X X
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for
thou knowest not what day may bring
forth" Who has not felt the truth Of
these inspired words? Within one short
year after the events above narrated, my
father was a ruined man. The failure OF
bank, wherein all his funds had for years
been deposited, reduced us at once from
q degree Of comparative affluence to the
verge of necessity My fathers temper
ament was not we'll calculated to with
stand these reverses; he was siezed with
kind of mental paralysis, which render
ed him totally unable to pursue his calling
as physician and in this extremity we
Judged it the wisest course to comply
with the urgent entreaty of q sister OF
his, long settled in Australia, that we
would go out AMI try our fortune in a
new world; hoping that the voyage
might also be beneficial in restoring my
dear fathers mind to it's wonted healthy
tone. My mothers family provided the
necessary funds for my passage and out
ft-not wholly ungrudgingly, it must be
confessed, for few and far between are
the "brothers born for adversity;" and
it was matter of great thankfulness
to my mother and myself that our sweet
Alice was exempted from our trials, being
the happy little wife of Wilfred Anderson,