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

= !. =
ALMOST SEPARATED.
--1s .0 al;l1s
had, never seen my cousin, May
Dutto9 since ne we're both little ones IN
short clothes and pinafores.
had been for three years the teacher
of the village school, and was learning
to be very happy in my love of children,'
and in my sweet thoughts Of the future;
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 a few of those broiling
summer days. OF course-I replied that
we would be delighted to. see her, and
only wished that she might like country
life so well that she would be willing to
stay 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 exquisitely small feet descended
the steps, and as I came forward, the
sweetest silvery voice in all the world,
said:.
ssIs this Cousin Alice Glenn p and be-
fore / could get a look at the face beneath
the hat, her warm lips were pressed to
mine in 8 right cossinly 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 I
loved her for her beauty, and 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 "real
French count, at Washington last win.
ter" shadow suddenly falling across the
floor startled as. Nay screamed with wit
o, it is.only John. sHow doyou do 2
Z didn't expect yon homes 80 soon. This
is MI. Gordon, Msy-Miss Dutton,'
She She greeted him With ali 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 a dry, pun
gent wit that he INDUCED in but rarely,
but then, it was so rich aud humorous
that u could only sit and laugh at
them.
He took my hand in a 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 half
smile nshis eyes, upon that little dim
pied hand, closed his fingers over it, then
turned away.
John Gordon had been my school7mate
in childhood; but his father was rich,
and had given him superior advantages
for education and travel, and during his
college life, I 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.
I 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"
Ilanghingly complied and looked up in
tohiseyess he looked down upon me with
that soul absorbing gaze that could not
misunderstood, and as my eyes dropped,
ne laid his hand caressingly on mine, and
said, gravely:
aAfces Glenn, l. love syou,s and.I
brought you hereto tell you 80. Are
you willing3
a deep thrill of happiness went
through my heart, and !! think he saw the
gladness in my eyes, for he kissed me,
and smiled, but pleaded:
"Answer me, Alice"
I answered him frankly.
tI could love you, John, but"
aBut what, :darlingw he said, kissing
me again. s
eBut I am afraid you would not always
love me, John. 4 don't tsee whyyou love
me. I havy vyneither 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. love, you for your kind
and womanly heart, and because l think
yosf can giYe.me the best wealth on earth,
Ia pufs md constant love. Never give
such thoughts place in your heart again.
have loved you long time. ] shall
always love you. You will not doubt me
again, Alice, my lbeloyed?o GA nbd /,
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, 3 fragrant July morning.
trTake the helm q; minute, Alice, while
hoist the Ub."
20, let me, let msp cried May, spring.