Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-09-18
her to the depths of despair.

Il
until every nerve, tsnsely strung,
thrilled at the approach of foot
steps, and with the terrible news
came reaction, and the chills and
fires of fever, with delirium and
unconciousness.
| For weeks she lay as one sus-
pended between time and eternity
by the strength of hair. Then
came the crisis and she rallied, to
wish-when the truth was recol-
lected--and that death had kindly
spared her this unwelcome recov-
cry.
AT this time with profusion of
deep sympathy, and with atten-
tive kindness which would win
the confidence ofany unsuspecting
nature-came Hugh Daniels
Now was his opportunity. Very
delicatsly he approached the object
of his scheming-very tenderly
he offered services that would not
be rejected.
More experienced persons than
Annie might have been deceived
by such studied, gilded craft.
Mrs. Danforth had unbounded
confidence in Mr.. Daniels, and her
influence over her daughter was
perceptible.
When Hugh thought his plans
sufficiently mature for a proposal,
he very modestly asked Annie to
become his wife.
You have been very kind to me,
but / have no heart to give you.
/ can't love again, she answered.
His heart must have been hard
AS stone, who could look unmoved
upon the wreck made by his own
| falsehood, and listen to the tremb-
ling voice as 1t spoke to him Of
kindness.
Il do not ask that you give me
love in return for mine, but only
that you hare my home, and lie
me by word and act express my
love for YOU
Annie cared but little for that
portion of life remaining, until she
should meet her true lover in q
brighter world, where there would
be no pain nor parting; but she
/ would lot that day promise to
marry.
Nevertheless, Hugh regarded her
acceptance as only q matter of
time; he must make ii as little
time as possible.
Very shrewdly and persistently,
but with we'll calculated planning.
a satisfactory result was obtained
at last, and all Chenille was made
aware that Annie Danforth and
Hugh Daniels were soon to be mar
ried.
Two years had passed since the
glad-hearted maiden sat awaiting
the return of her betrothed- since
the interrogation of his telegram,
and the departure of Ernest Wood
ford for the distant west,
The church in Chenille was
brilliantly lighted and filled with
villagers, who had assembled to
witness marriage c0nsummation.
Music arose from the organ; the
bridal party passed slowly up the
aisle; then came a hush on the air,
and then a white-robed clergyman
commenced to read the ceremony.
Il forbid these proceedings! /
demand to be heard!' broke in
upon the stiffness with startling
effect.
The clergyman looked up in as
constituent; the bridegroom turn
ed as pale as marble; the almost
bride trembled an instant, then
sunk into the arms of him whose
face she had recognized, whose
voice she thought had echoed from
the grave OF a buried love.
All was confusion and tumult,
in the midst of which Hugh Dan
iels made his escape unnoticed
Annie revived, to believe for
time that heaven had been gained,
or thrt all was a blisSful dream.
Then came explanations that ex-
hibited the perfidity and villiany
of Daniels.
Ernest had learned from uu-
doubted authority this time the
deep game Hugh Daniels was play.
ing in Glenville-after having dis
posed of his rival successfully just
in time to hasten on and prevent
the consummation, as we have
seen.
Hugh Daniels had more at stake
thar was supposed. 1t seemed he
had become involved in debt to
such an extent that some desperate
venture was his only safety.
With Annie's fortune at his COM
mand, all would be well again, and
to obtain this he brought forth all
his energies.
When success seemed to be OBJ
tanned, the fabric of falsehood ne
had reared crushed his hopes to
earth Ha rnahnd from tho church