The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-01-31

ed boy lover, and she had always liked
him. It did seem little hard.
In corner of the long drawing-room,
somewhat in a shadow, Isabel sat at the
piano, playing brilliantly, with Walter
Raymond turning her leaves, and bend
ing over her with such rapt face. The
storm of music ceased, and then there
was an idle strumming on the Keys, ana
then-out it came--one passionate, eio,
euent impstaous appeal. She listened
half frightened, yet pleased, tooclt was
never wooed aMedora" more eloqnently
than this. Poor John Warner, sitting
melancboIlv rnsi. and aloof, still saw and un-
dcrstood it all. Isabel, lifting her eyes
from the piano keys, saw him too, and
the half scared "Yes" trembling on her
lins died there. Poor John! Her heart
auttered little, and then stood still. She
had come from race of heroes, this dark
eyed Kentucky maid, and the blood of
her forefathers rose in her veins.
'Mr. Raymond, I-you are very good
to care for me 80 much; but II am
afraid don't like you, you know just as
much as ought. lfyou will wait, if you
will wait, if you will give me time"
l. He caught her hand and kissed it in
rapture. Give her time-of course, he
would give her eternity, or anything
else, If he had it.
"Thank you," Isabel said gratefully,
sGive me six months, and then you shall
have your answer"
Mr.. Raymond looked rather taken back.
Six months was longer than what he had
anticipated. But no matter; he would be
gallant and wait.
aIn three months expected to sail for
Europe" )" he said "but your will, fair lady,
is nv law. will postpone the journey,
and when go, fairest and dearest Isabel,
trust. I believe, you will 60 with me-"
That poor Johp Warner didn't he
see and understand all this in his remote
corner and gnash his teeth with impotent
rage and jealousy. ~
s.Ths lights were fed, .r =
| The garlands dead,
| And the banquet hall deserted"
| But still he sat there silent and sulky
that's. the word for it.. Miss Wynd-
ham wrapped herself in crimson shawl
and stepped out on the verandah with a
yawn that was not very encouraging
he started up, goaded to desperation,
and stood beside her. All, how pretty
she was |! You might have fallen in love
with her yourself had you seen her there,
her long dark curls futtering, her eyes
like stars, and the moonlight falling like
tender glory around her There Mr..
John Warner told his story-rather in
coherently, rather Historically, not at all
as the Corsalr or "Count Lara" would
have told it.
| Miss Wyndham listened and looked at
the moon, and felt little sorry for him..
poor fellow, but the words were cold that
fell from her cosy lips. Still there was
hope in them, hope Mr.. Warner had hard
ly dreamed of. He was to wait six months
at the endo of that time, she, Miss Wynd-
ham would have made mp her mind.
Mr.. Warner rode home that night in
tho silvery moonlight, On ecstatic man.
He couldn't sleep of course, he could do
nothing but smoke cigars and think OF
Isabeps black eyes, Mr.. Raymond, more
sensible, went to bed like Christian, and
Isabel dreamed with her rosy cheek pill
lowed on her white arms, that she was
being married to them both, and likely to
have perplexing time between them.
Five months passed away, and the great
rebellion had broken forth. The war cry
from Sumter had echoed through the
length and breadth of the land. The
South cried aloud TO her young men to
gird on the sword and free their lovely
land from the tyrant yoke of the oppres-
sor. With one heart they answer-an
army of braves, and went forth from kim
dred and friends, to fight for their free
dom and their right
In the tender twilight Isabel sat alone,
the shadows of the clematis climbing
round the open window, coming and go
ing on her thoughtful face. Only one
month left now, and as far from decision
as ever.
aIt doesn't t matter much," she thought,
"this is no time for marrying or giving
in marriage. Now is the opportunity of
proving what mettle they are made of,
when their country calls. When the
South is freed from the Northern yoke let
them retur,., and my promise will be
kept. None but the brave deserve the
fair"
While the thought was yet in her
mind the door opened, and Walter Ray
mond,s elegant as ever, stood before her.
Miss Wyndham arose with welcoming
smile, and an iquiring glance. She had
seen neither of her suitors for the past
three weeks, and there was certain anx-
ious expression in Mr.. Raymond's face
now that told her before he spoke his
visit meant more than mere lovers call.
"A few desultory commonplaces, and then
he struck into the heart of the matter at
once.
"Isabel," he said nervously, "the bust