The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-09-21

Through the sermon she sat as one in q
dream, and was sorry when the blessing was
pronounced, for then her reverie was broken up.
At dinner that day she asked her aunt:
"Aunt Mary, what is your pastors name" 2"
"Hugh Moore. thought you knew"
81 remember meeting Hugh Moore when l
was at school in P, about four years ago."
and Rachel idly slipped her soup as she spoke
'It is the same man, for he came from P---.,
and has been here two years. He and his
mother live next door; they only returned yes
terday from visit"
'Strange how one meets old acquaintances
After left P-we were in Europe for two
years, and truly never expected to see him
again but who can tell the future"
"Thatis is true, Rachel" spoke Mr.. Lee. "And
who knows but am addressing the future Mrs.
Moore?"
"Why, know you are not, uncle" laughed
Rachel, as she left the room.
Mr.. Lee looked after her, then turned to his
wife, and said:
"I must tell the parson that we have an old
acquaintance of his with US, and have him call
sOon."
True to his word, the next evening, as Rachel
was playing idly on the piano, for her own
amusement, he brought in Hugh Moore. For
an instant she faltered, but only for an instant,
and. she met the man she once promised to wed
with calm and serene smile of gladness and,
as he held ont his large, :shapely palm, and she
laid her fingers, laden with jewels, In 1t, she
snieL archly up in his face.
MIR. Moore, scarcely recognized you in the
pulpit yesterday. You have changed"
"Not others with me-"
And he looked searchingly down into those
dark, bright orbs of hers, but read nothing
pleasant to him. He led her to a seat, and
sat down by her.
"Where have you been all these years, Miss
Brent?"
Gall these years Oh, Mr.. Moore, you make
me feel old by such expressions !"
"Well, it has been more than four years since
last saw you, or heard from you"
''True-it has. But as my life has been such
apanorana of pleasing scenes, took no note
of time. When left P we embarked for
Europe, and did not return for three years, and
since then have been in the city"
"It is pleasant to enjoy the beauties of this
life but it is not a common lot."e
And thus they talked, never once alluding to
that particular period of their lives which each
now remembered too well.
Time passed away, and many were the pleas
antevenings they spent together.
In music, reading, and general conversation
Ahey spent the time. Rachel was good talker,
and now she determined again to have this man
bow to her shrine so she threw all her art in
to action, spoke with her tongue, and pleaded
with her eyes.
Hugh Moore of to-day was not Hugh Moore
of the, cid time. He read the determination of
her heart in face and action. All that youth
fail passion had burnt out in his heart, and now
he worshipped at purer altar.
1t was the last evening of her stay in Staun-
tO
For all she had taught him the severest lesson
man can learn, yet, as he sat by her side this
last night, looked down into her dreamy eyes
and listened to her low musical voice, he yearn-
ed towards her, and hoped in his heart that she
might love him some time. But he could not
again ask her to become his wife, lest she might
deny him he wished 10 know the truth, yet
feared to know it.
When he calmly said, Goodbye, Rachel" :"
tears of modification and pride rushed to her
eyes which she vainly tried to suppress, max
ing excuse by saying:
"Indeed, always weep to hear goodbye,
for we may never meet again, and it seems like
looking the last time on friend"
He drew near to her.
"Rachel, do you remember the adieu which was
said a few short years ago? Then l hoped to
have happy meeting again, and now never
expect to see you more; and this is sadder
farewell to me than that was. Heaven alone
knows now mady / loved you then you were
so innocent, SO beautiful, SO good; and then
think of my terrible awakening, to find my
passion dream, and the one I loved gone from
me willfully and foreverp'
"Don't be too hard on me, Mr.. Moore was
soyoung then and inexperienced"
"You were old enough to practice the win
ming ways of coquetry, to ensnare unsuspecting
men, and then leave them to struggle in the
web you have woven"
"Let me now, Hugh, ask your pardon for the
blight 1 caused in your life VIII you for
give me?"
"Forgyie you? AS expect to be forgiven,
once where. You have passed through the
whivl of fashionable life, and it is plain to be
seen that you are woman of pride, fashion,
and ambition-one that it is we'll for me did
not we'd"
'You speak plainly, Mr. Moore. lam happy
to know myself"
sDon't be angry, Rachel; know there is
good in you vet, though it is surrounded by the
brambles of the world. And oh if you would
throw aside all these foolish things, and be your
own noble self, how would reioiceW
AS he spoke, he took both her hands in his
and said:
"Rachel, will you not become good, true
woman for my sake?'
"You plead and talk as though you had the
right. No, Mr.. Moore; have chosen my path
and will follow in it. 1t will kill me to pass
forever through the quiet haunts of life. en-
10Y it for time, as have this summer, but
now there is a restless longing to be back again
IN the merry throng of the city. l did love
you, Hugh, in that time you spoke about; but
when went out into the world, there found
so much grandeur, that had not room in my
heart to love aught but the world and now, in
the future, may marry for fame, distinction
and wealth, but can never love again.
II do not believe, Rachel, that is the Ian.
guage of your heart. l know you thought ]
Would again renew my suit cannot; bat il
I'm the time to come you grow weary of this
world you love, come to me. Remember, the