Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1872-10-23
especially when they happen to be
gentlemen"
She liuslai aud caadillx said.

10 tell the honest truth, Mr
Hammond, it is a gentleman cousin
and q very dear one, too SO dear tina
six months from this, very day, in
tend to change my name for his
There, is my confession very gres
surprise, sir?"
L acknowledged that it was not, al
from several remarks she had made,
had already concluded that she wa.
engaged /; aud said, i'll eonclusion,-
Although l am not fortunate
enough to be able to claim cousin.
ship, l should be much pleased to
replace your ring with o wish"
Silently she extended her hand, and
taking it, was about to slip the
ring upon her finger, when q sligh.
rustic caused me to raise my eyes,
and there, in the doorway that con.
nected the parlor WITH the library,
stood Annie Sheldon, :okiny at US
with a mingled expression of grief,
contempt and dastonislment. The next
instant she turned, and, with ges-
ture of infinite .scorn, swept away,
and directly l heard the hall door
close after her.
This was an event had not antici-
pated, and knew that as Annie had
seen ME in the very act Of placing a
ring OH her supposed rivals finger,
she would ut once infer, and naturally
enough, too, that it was the seal Of
our engagement.
This knowledge made me very
uneasy, and tried various excuses
to free myself from my companion,
and finally succeedad; hurried
through the cool hall and entered the
fragrant little garden.
Iglanced hastily around, but could
see no trace of Annie ; and then sud-
denly remembered favoritc haunt
| of hers, rustic bench at the foot of
= sturdy oak, from which the ground
! sloped gradually to tbc rivers bank
below ,and from which, ,glancing to the
East, one commended Il superb view.
So l plunged lii among the trees, and
hastened along the shady wood path,
glanciug to the right and left Us l
went, i'll hopes of catching u glimpse
of her fiuttering white robes.
But saw nothing of her until |
came i'll sight her resort, and there,
as had surmiSed, she sat {; but her
| face was buried in her hands, while
her whole attitude betokencd the
deepest grief.
l crept softly to her side, and then,
by her low, suppressed sobs, knew
that she was weeping, aud ali how 1
reproachcd myself then for my cru
city!
Tenderly threw my arms around
her, and said as quietly as my excite
ment would allow me:
"What is the matter, Annie, my
darling :? Will you not let me COM
fort you?"
She started ut my touch, and the
sound Of my voice. but
did not raise her head, aud contin-
ucd:
wont you tell me, Annie !?
Won't you give me the right to share
your grief! Z" l cried, passionately.
Thrusting me from her, she started
to her feet, and drawing herself to
her full height. cxclaimiug angrily,
although the bright tears still spar-
kled in her eyes,
''ls it that You wish to insult me,
Paul Hammond, that you, the accept
ed lover of another, speak such words
to me? Or have you followed me
only to Heproach me for being a
listener to your love-making? II
the latter, |. can assure you it was
entirely unintentional )" and her lips
curled.
Far from it," l cried hastily. al
AIN here to tell you that 1 love, adore
you, and ask you to give me this
precious little hand, to be nv own
foreferV And l pressed it to nv
lips.
But she snatchcd it away, laughing
and thought, rather hys-
terically. as she replicd,-
81 am not one to be satisfied with
second love, Mr.. Hammond Imust
be first, or nothing; but even were
content TO take secondary place, .
" hat would Miss Benson think .ofmv
acceptance of her recent loyer?"
Miss Benson! She is nothing to {
me, and never will be, and more than
Ihat-she is already engaged; my
iarling, it is you love, and YOU OIL {
" l will we'd" 4
Still she hesitated, and said doubt
ngly: ...
"But what did you mean by giving
Ter a ring2 For you did saw
'ou !"
But laughed gayly, and boldly
lrawing her yielding form to my q
idc, replied:
"AIl that can explain to your
ntire satisfaction, fair lady mine, if
.on will say just once. Il love you, Z
PAUL, and will marry yon.'" And |
,risoned her face between my hands. g
She struggled an instant, and then, :,
hiding resistance useless, pouted- +"
Well, then, love you. torment, o
nd SO | suppose shall marry Won Il