The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-05-11
"Never!" was the laconic reply.

o1AAAhA @e ~ ~ eNS~y ~
that way. He does not even send his
paper-his Standard of Liberty'-does
he?"
"No, the paper has stopped coming.
But Jessie, I am sure that Col. Gray is
no hypocrite; he never pretended, but
really felt kindly to us. You know, you
cannot surely have forgotten the obliga-
tions we are under to him. We ought
to trust our friends, and judge them
kindly. Since the close of the war Col.
Gray has taken noble and Independent
stand, and every one says his paper is
fearlessly and honestly conducted, and
worthy of its title-'The Standard of
Liberty We ought to feel glad, too,
when Northerners make bold stand for
the liberties of the people. 1t will help
our cause, for ours, you know, is the cause
of the country"
>"Well, you always did Like Hubert
Gray, and if he were noble Confed, I
would quake for my pet match But l
am not afraid of any Yank living, even
if he wears the handsome form and face
CT Hubert Gray, and is backed by the
high-sounding title of Our Protector
which you are SO fond of comforting
on him. But here comes the mail bagp
and Jessie seized the bag and glancing
rapidly over its contents, threw bundle
of papers on Marion's lap, and ran out
of the room exclaiming: "a letter from
Arthurl I must read it to cousin Alice p
With trembling hands Marion selected
one with whose type and general appear
ance she seemed familiar -"The Stand
ard of Liberty" Eagerly with brighten
ing eyes and flushed cheeks she read its
pages, and often the red lips would part,
and a sweet smile of sympathy and ap-
proval would illumine her features as
her heart answered the editors in some
noble sentiment eloquently expressed.
But suddenly cry of pain escaped her
lips, deadly pallor had robbed her
cheeks of its joyous flush, and her eyes
with a look of anguish seemed riveted
upon a marriage notice.
.The,one low cry of pain was followed
by deep hush, which was after some
time broken by clear and unsympatiz-
ing voice which spoke over her shoulder
'eYou have received painful intelligence,
Miss Marion" Startled even to alarm,
Marion arose hastily from her seat, and
turning around encountered the cold and
sneering face of Richard Egan, which
still wore an unyarying but now unpleas-
ant smile.
In moment Marion realized that
Richard Egan had been sometime in the
room; had been reading the paper over
her shoulder; had witnessed her emo
tion, and had possibly guessed its cause.
A bright blush of maidenly shame man.
tied her cheek and brow, even coloring
her delicate throat, but with admirable
self-command and quiet dignity, she re-
piled: 'The happiness of our friends
should give us pleasure. not pain. I
have just read the marriage notice of our
esteemed friend, Col. Hubert Gray"
A scornful smile fitted over the face
of Maj. Egan as he said: 'It is strange
in the expression of deep feeling how
like can be the notes of intense joy or
bitter grief. I could have sworn that the
cry which burst from your lips few
moments since was one of heart broken
anguish. But"-and in the clear voice
was a ring of mocking malice "your
face is certainly as unrufaed as some
smooth lake, whose placid surface is
undisturbed even by ripple. But are
you quite sure, Marion Maham, that the
veal or woe of Col. Gray affects you in
the same ratio as that of other and ordi-
nary friends? Answer truly, is Hubert
Gray but an ordinary friend?"
Marion lifted her head .haughtily, her
eyes flashed angrily, but she again an
swered calmly: 'In truth, Col. Gray las
you we'll know is not an ordinary friend
of our family, and therefore our esteem
is not of an ordinary kind. But unless
Maj. Egan can prove his right to ask
impertinent questions, I must decline
answering any more Of them" With q
quiet smile and a ceremonious bow,
Marion turned to leave the room, but
Richard Egan passionately and almost
roughly placed a OBTAINING hand upon
her arm, while every feature glowed with
anger.
"Haughty girl and SO you think to foil
me by your himsy evasions, and your
well-feigned calmness. But I know, and
have known for two years, that you love
Hubert Gray! To-day I listened while
my heart burned with envy as you spoke
of my hated rival words of commenda-
ton, I would have given worlds to have
heard coupled with my name! for al
though your speech was calm and your
words would pass for friendships coin,
in their ring was loves soft monotone.
Yes, you love Hubert Grayl I saw your
look of anguish, I heard your cry Of pain,
when you felt that he was lost to you
foreverl Marion," and here his voice
became soft and pleading, "even as you
love Hubert Gray; aye, more, a thousand
times more passionately do love you
Be mine, Marion, and 80 diligent pupil
will I become in sweet loves lore, that