Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-17

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brilliant lacking tho languishing charm
OF her glnnces, but showing plenty of in
tcllcct in their keen light, a somewhat
dull complexion, Il large mouth, good
hair. and a tolcrable figure. Her verdict
was
well. Annie, yuu cau't he pretty. So
you had better be odd.
This advice was eagaly adopted, and
Annie L. was speedily known rs the odd
est gil in New York. She were peculiar
dresses; she did queer things; she had
the strangest pets--a mouse which she
carefully taught and parrot that was
Grass to every Cnc but hcr-and finally ,a5
"a co wing leat OF all, a green and yel
low snake. This reptile was given Ia her
by one ni her-admircrS. who brought ii
from South America, and Ton ono whole
winter she kept il i'll her room, and on
certain occasions carried il with her to
balls and theatres. allowing it To coil
about her arms and white neck
The witiciSmS of this strange woman
were numerous. her sarcastic repaltecs
were repeated with admiration, and her
will whims formed IN ever new excite.
mcr1 IN the set in which she lived so that
James advice was grand success. and
Annir'S oddities won as much admiration
a> James beauty.
During summer visit tn Balston, then
the fashionable watering place, the sisters
met among numerous ether new admirers
a Mr. Gur,lon oi South Carolina. who
speedily attached himself Ia their train.
Handsome. and pleasing in manner, both
sisters liked him and for a time il seemed
impossible to tell which one hc preferred.
sn cveul, balanced were his attentions
Jane. whose langnid eyes sometimes saw
deeply, was the first to divine half the
story she saw that Annie, usually So in
different was deeply interested in this
stranger. tnd herself resolved to give him
no more encouragement This did mol
prevent the end; one day when the time
Tor separation had almos, come. Mr.. Cor
don conirived 10 secure n tote a.tcte with
the beautiful Jane. and to tell hel how he
loved her with his whole soul
Jane heard him in painod silence, and
when ho Appealed lor a final answer. said
in him with tho odd fianknesS that seems
la bc a part oi her nature:
II cannot marty YOU, Mr. Gordon; but
Annie will
How the affair WAS managed we can
only guess, but it i certain that an On
gagemcnt was arranged between the en-.
amorcd planter and The sister of the wo-
man he loved.
For Time Annie seemed entirely and
completely happy, an unwonied sweet.
ness Distinguishing her manners. She WAS
NO longer ready to utter bitter words and
cynical 5uccr,, 4sh her brilliant ey es soft
cned till they were almost like James.
The Misses h. returned TO New York, Mr..
Gordon accompanying them, and for u
icw weeks no shadow OF suspicion cloud
cd Annie's contenlmcnt. The pet snake.
lett behind during The summer journey,
was ri first somewhat elected, Tor we
hear nothing o! it until one uniucky night
when the freak seized Annie to carry it
with her TO the theatre
Mr. Gordon had never heard OF The ex-
islcncc OF the creature. lie Joined The
sisters in their box. and was talking with
Annie when suddenly from out the folds
oil the white muslin dress, the reptile
thrust its venomous looking head, and
glided up to encircle her throat. The as-
constituent and disgust OF the young
man We're overwhelming. II is said that
he turned sick and faint, and staggered
out of the house into the open mir for re.
lief from the horrible sight. Nor could
such OF the L. party, rs accompanied
him, succeed in pursuading him to return
10 his ailianced. The idea OF seeing her
again seemed 10 have become suddenly
inlolcrable To him, and when he was SUI.
iicicnlly recovered he went alone 10 his
hotel.
The rest OF the sloiy can be but dimly
conjectured. Gossip asserts that after her
return TO her home that night, Annie, who
had read her fate in her lovers cold and
horriiicd gaze, in Il fit of despairing rage,
stIangled the snake with her own hands
Certain it is that Mr.. Gordon very soon
departed for the South, and that Annie
remained maiden 10 her dying day
The beautiful Jane married Il prominent
statesman. and was for years leader in
Washington society," Golden Age