The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-03-22
aaaersuaE gHtelligss.ter,
ALMOST SEPARATED.

and IN my sweet thoughts OF the IuCure.
Suddenly, in the midst of my tranquil
country life, came letter from Cousin
Maya tiny note on pale-tinted, per
fumed paper written in the faintest little
,scrawl-saying if it would not trouble us,
and we wouldn't make company of her,
she would like so much to come to Glen
burn and spend few of those broiling
summer days. OF course 4 replied that
we would be delighted to see her, and
only wished that she might like country4
life so well that she would be willing to
stay 8 long time.
Sooner than we expected, the lumber.
ing stagecoach ratified down the lane, and
stopped at the garden gate. A. broad
brimmed hat emerged from the door, 9
pair of e1quisitely small feet descended
the steps, and as / came forward, the
sweetest silyery voice in all the world,
said: -
'Is this Cousin Alice Glenn" and be-
fore / could get a look at the face beneath
the hat, her warm lips were pressed to
mine in right coasinly kiss.
Relieved Of her trappings, half-reclin.
ing on the lounge in our small sitting.
room, I thought my cousin May the
sweetest picture that my eyes had ever
seen.
Now, when look back, smile at the
recollection of my infatuation. But !
loved her for her beauty, and I wondered
that every one else did not share my pas
sion.
Just as she was rehearsing to me the
details of her last Irritation with q "real
French count, at Washington last win
ter" shadow suddenly falling across the
floor startled as. May screamed with
fright; but / said:s "a 81 s.
fa0, 1t issoply John. slow do you do 7
! didn't expect you home SO soon. This
is Mr.. Gordon, May-Miss Dutton,
john"
She greeted him withs an the ease and
grace Of her conventional breeding. John
never appeared to better advantage, fan
ming himself with his straw hat, and an
swering her lively sallies with dry, pun.
gent wit that he INDUCED in but rarely,
but then, it was so rich and humorous
that 7 could only sit and laugh at
them.
BE took my hand in parting clasp,
as usual, when he left me at the little
gate, and May put out her small, white
hand, too. He took it in his hard, brown
one, looked down, with that strange haf-
smile in his eyes, upon that little dim
pied hand, closed his fingers over it, then
turned away.
John Gordon had been my school-mate
in childhood; but his father was rich,
and had given him superior advantages
for education and travel, and during his
college life, had felt that there was an
impossible social gulf between us-I,
poor Alice Glenn, with nothing but my
pure conscience and hopeful, prayerful
woman's heart and willing hands-he,
the accomplished gentleman and scholar,
with his proud and ambitious hopes.
/ shall never forget the day, one holy
Sabbath afternoon, that we walked home
from church together, down the little
bridge across the Monawk stream. John
had happy look about his mouth, as he
drew my arm through his, in tender
way, and said:
aLean on me, Alice"
{, Ilaughingly complied, and looked Pin
tohiseyes. he looked down upon me with
that soul absorbing gaze thatI could not
misunderstood, and as my eyes dropped,
he laid his hand caressingly on mine, and
said, gravely: :
: aAGces Glenn, l. love you,s and Il
brought you here to tell you 80. Are
you willing?@
A deep thrill of happiness went
through my heart, and I think he saw the
gladnes in my eyes, for he kissed me,
and smiled, but. pleaded:
sAnswer me, Alice"
I answered him frankly.
ri could love you, John, but"
aBut what, darling9" he said, kissing
me again.
"But I am afraid you would not always
love me, John. i don't see why you love
me. ] have neither beauty. wealth nor
accomplishment, and you might marry
all these"
He drew me to him in close embrace,
and his voice was tremulous with emotion,
as he replied:
"My own Alice, you wrong me by such
words. Beauty and riches and accom-
plishments are but hoss in the world of
domestic love. I love you for your kind
and womanly heart, and because l think
you can giye.me the best wealth on: earth
Ia pure mid constant love. Never give
such thoughts a place in your heart again.
I have loved you long time. ] shall
always love you. You will not doubt me
agai1, Alice, my ibeloyed?"a,f9 HH0
And in the quiet calm of this new and
holy happiness, I thought I could never
doubt John Gordon.
"A, year had passed since then.
In the morning he came for US early,
and we walked down to the rustic wharf
where his little boat lay rocking in the
stream. The wind was fair, and we were
soon enjoying the delicious luxury of a
sail on, 8 fragrant July morning.
aTake tie helm aminute, Alice, while
I hoist the jib."
80, let me, let mep cried May, spring
ing. forward, eagerly. .s,s ~
But John caught both her hands, and
said, playfnlly:
seWho do you think would trust the
helm of their ship in the hands of such
little airts tsas you 3" .,
"Helmya a:lee, Alice, " said John. 1Look
out, MAyps s
He Just caught her in his arms, as the
sail swung heavily around, or she might
have found her grave in the garden of
lilies, but John caught her in his arms,
and held her there, talking foolish nom
sense to her. 2
"I believe I shall have to tie you fast
to the mast, to keep You from running
your head into all possible danger. Why
can't you behave pourself, like good
cousin Alice?"
Il Yes, he held her there till the warm
crimson flushed her very brow, then he
smiled the strange smile sgain, and came
and sat by me, and teased me for being
so sober.
Itwas dull and weary day to me. I
left them together a great deal; but they
did not seem to miss me. ,e.s..
Toward evening, May had wandered
off With her hat trimmed with nv Scotch