The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-05-27
der noet. and somehow the thought


Mansfield in the care. of her sick brother,
because after Coralie's departure, she went
carefully to work searching her own heart,
and there found Hugh sMausfeld's image
shrncd as its most cherished idol. How
(could she dare tomeet him now? Reader,
it is sacred hour when her pure and
trusting maiden for the first time enters
the whiterobed chambers of the soul, and
finds the spirit image of another shadowed
There. How the clear white deepens into
a ROSY flush, and the rainbow hues OF hope
overshadow all till the path OF life seems
strewed with flowers; earth is robed with
a golden glory, and itseems aslf we would
never, never suffer again, so sweet, so
thrilling is thenew, strange chord that the
welcome guest has stirred
| But the sweetest awakening of woman'S
life came not TO Madge Harper as it does
to many maidens, but in sorrow, for with
|. it came the knowledge that she was alone
and unloved Alas what a desolate feel
ing this is to loving woman's heart.
'sMadge! Madge my sweet little wild
wood blossom, will you not, can you not
love me? l know we'll the worth, the
depths of nature such as you're. Circum-
stances have compelled me to speak now,
for I leave with my regiment i'll the morn
ing, and could not depart without opening
my mind to you-you who have SO silent
ly, SO sweetly, stolen into my inner life,
till every tendril of my heart seems woven
around you, every purpose centered in
YOU, till it can scarcely be said is my own.
Madge, I would not insult your spotless
nature, or tempt your proud heart, by
speaking of the great wealth which it is In
my power to lay at your feet, did l not
know that from no other man than hus-
band would you receive means to expand
the lofty intellect which is yours; and
that you, who are an angel of mercy, might
make that wealth blessing. Oh, AIadgc,
give me one ray of hope, and help me to
live the better life that have marked out
for myself"
Her answerfell on Charlie Lumford' slife
crushing out all the beautiful flowers Which
mad nestled there for weeks.
ssCharlcs, dear friend, love and esteem
your noble character, prize your society,
! but will be frank with you. My heart is
another's and my love, like yours, is hope
| less"
They were together on the messy turf
beneath the shade of the spreading naples,
and the strong man bowed his head upon
his hands, while his proud frame shook with
contending emotions. She laid her small
hand on his bowed head, and the slight
touch aroused him. Impulsively his arm
fdrew her to his embrace, while he pressed
one kiss upon her brow.
s'It is not wrong, -Madge. Farewell,
purest, dearest Twill try to learn to look
upon you as sister; and when you hear
that Charles Lumsford has fallen in battle
you will go and comfort his poor mother,
and be to her as daughter"
One moment. more, and the brave
hearted, impulsive Charlie Lumsford was
gone.
Alas how often swift coming prcscnti-
ments are true; it wasat Antictam he fell,
with her name the last upon his lips
They opened his will and in it there was a
rich legacy bequeathed TO Madgc Harper;
and when his mother wrote asking her TO
come and share her home, and be to her as
daughter, she went like q true woman,
seeking to bind up the wounds Of the
n-hcarted, ,sand many blessed the leg
acy, which in the hands Of Madge, Was the
means of doing so much good.
In the meantime where was Coralie 2
She had become the wife OF rich mer-
chant, old enough to be her father, and in
ciddy round Of pleasure, vainly sought
the pearl of happiness. Alas! how many
there are who sell themselves for geld to
find that gold curse. :. :. ;.
| "How can I ever thank you, Madge, for
your kindness to me? You have been
like fragrant fowrcts and cool fountains to
rarched desert" And Hugh Mansfield
took the little hand i'll his only remaining
one, while he gazed searchingly into the
clear eyes upturned TO his own. 81 am
going to luxuriatc in rural life now," and
his voice had u touch Of sadness i'll it.
"-And now that have entirely recovered,
YOU will still be my companion sometimes,
and we will over the old days again
-you and I-thc days when we were
Children
It came, and yet he knew not how, the
all.asorbing love which overshadowed,
with its holy wings, Hugh ManGeld's life;
and Madge became lovedas even Coralie
never had been.
Every hour that Hugh spentin her soci-
ETY. he wondered at the strength and power
Of her mind 1t was winter, when the
snow had spread abroad its heecy mantle,
that the confession was made. And short
ly after there was quiet wedding in the
village church, where the swcetly MUIR
INJURED, s'I will' Of Madgc, thrilled Hugh
Manfeld's heart with gladncss and caused
| him to bless the broken arm which had
gained him such q wife.
r,r n.pv.o,, Thn.,o,,e