The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-03-23

truly, for SO, and only so, can you de-
stroy hope in my breast. You love an
other, and that other is"
A scarlet flush suffused the face of the
beautiful girl, then, quickly passing away,
left her perfectly pale. There were lines
of suffering around her mouth, and her
pale lips quivering with irrepressible
emotion, for a moment could utter no
word. But at last she spoke. Her
words were low and clear, and the tone
intensely bitter:
"You are ungenerous and unmanly,
but I will be truthful. can never be
yours, Arthur Ferguson, for-yes, you
have taught me that II love another.
You have exposed love which, until
to-day, has been secret even to myself.
You have wrung from me the humiliat-
ing confession that the proud Marion
Maham, unwooed, has been won. I will
now join mamma and Harry" she proud
ly added.
Marion, dearest Marion, forgive~
burst from the pale lips of Arthur Fer
guson. But she was gone, the gentle
friend of his boyhood and he, with un-
manly and ungenerous words, had stung
the sensitive, womanly heart-that heart
which had been ever ready to offer him
a sisters tender sympathy.
When they met at luncheon, Marion
had resumed her usual manner, but on
her sweet face remained look of mex
pressible and painful sadness. Poor Ar
thur! he would have given world for
one moment alone with her to say, "For-
give" but with womanly tact she evaded
him without seeming to do it; and they
very soon resumed their journey to Berk-
ley Hall.
The remainder of the journey was per-
formed in almost perfect silence by the
whole party. Each heart was full of sad
"reminiscences too full for words. Harry,
who had visited Berkley week or two
before to make arrangements for their
return home, had tried to prepare his
mother and sister for the great changes
they would find in their former slaves
and the old place. Their old butler,
Prince, had gone to the city, and was
hired to Federal officer. The negroes
had all refused to contract with him for
permanent employment. Even Manner,
the much-loved old nurse, had met him
so rudely he said her age and the place
she had always held in their home and
hearts had alone prevented him from
giving her sharp rebuke. ooh moth
err" he said, "she pretends to blame you
for Nellie's (Maumer's grandchild)
shameful conduct in absconding with
the Federals from c.; you, my gen.
tie mother, who have so grieved your
kind heart over the infatuated girl"
But forbear, my dearest mother, I know
there can be nothing worse in store for
you than you have already sufered-the
loss of our loved ones, and the defeat of
our sacred cause"
1t was night when the party drove up
to the doorsteps Of the old Hall, which
looked dark and gloomy in the cold light
of the autumn moon. 'sIn the windows
was no light" and no smiling faces of
aAectionate domestics greeted the weary
travellers. Although to the broad acres
of Berkley Hall nearly two hundred ne
groes were indebted for shelter, food and
clothing, the mistress and her children
found none to bid them welcome on their
return to the home of their ancestors.
Harry left the horses to the faithful
Croppo's kindly care, and with Arthur's
help cheerful fire was soon burning in
the dear old Mothers Room" and
Marion, true woman, on "hospitable
thoughts intent" was, in an incredibly
short time, prepared 10 regale them with
smoking preparation from Arabia's
fragrant berry, unsurpassed even by the
nectar of the gods; and the remnants of
Mrs. D-'s nice luncheon of delicate
rolls, Clipped beef, &c. The impromptu
supper over, the spirits of the party
tagged. Mrs. Maham was very weary,
and each one felt their effort at cheerful
ness too great an exertion for that first
night of their return to a home so
changed; and so, by common consent,
they sought their pillows early. But two
of them, at least, with hearts too panied
and sad to slumber soon.
Gentle reader, let us stop for a little
while in one of those robbed and desc
lated Southern homes, and mark the
earnest struggle in those proud Southern
hearts for submission-lovely, cheerful
submission to the will and wisdom of the
great I Am. Let us, too, with gladness,
observe how He giveth them the victory
through Him who loved us. Yes, those
children of the Sunny South, although
crushed and trampled upon, may still lay
claim to an heritage name-the new
name, (which is better than of sons and
of daughters"
Excited and restless, our travellers had
probably not fallen asleep until after
midnight, and it reached far into day
before they awoke the next morning.
When Marion, flushed by her long morn
ing's nap, and feeling in every limb the
strength and vigor of youth and health,
awoke, the sun was shining brightly
through the windows, and the little rob-
ins were chirping their matin songs in
a. Il t...z IL. II, Do.I,1 ~,