The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-04-18

blank without her.
Just at this time, Mr.. Morton paid his
1iu Iriend visit. He was man of &C.
knowledged ability, and Mr. Dennyn knew
that IN placing his son with him, he would
secure Tor him an able legal preceptor, as
well as kind friend. Mr.. Morton willing.
Y received him under his charge, while
robert gladly accepted the offer of his fa.
ther which removed him, for time, from
tnat nome, now rendered painful by its
memories of the dead. He came to Mr.,
Morton's with heart saddened bv the
scenes OF sorrow, through which he had 40
recently passed; and the warm affection
with which the family greeted him, made
MIN feel at once that he was not amono
strangers.
Charlie and himself had long been
friends: in college they were regarded as n
! miracle of brotherly attachment. No won
der-for who could look upon the clear
open, manly brow of Charlie Morton, and
hear his ringing joyous laugh, and not love
him. Care sat lightly upon him. His step
was quick and free; his whole manner
bcaming with kindness and good nature
made him everywhere welcome guest. and
ms return home cause for rejoicing His
father was very proud of him, for he had
come OF with flying colors at the final COL
iegiate examination which he had, with Rob-
ert Dennyn, so recently passed. The late
commencement Annie would have attended
had not Mrs Morton's unlocked for indis>
position detained her at home. She bore
the disappointment with a grace which
proved she was not entirely selfish. She
was now wild with gloe at the return of her
only brother, when she dearly loved.
The coming of Robert Dennyn was an
event which decidedthe destiny of her life.
Lie was just the SORT of person to enchain
the affections Of girl Of seventeen. She
soon learned to watch for his coming: to
listen tor his voice; to note the evcr.varyiny
expression of his countenance with an capcr
interest which none but those who have
loved can ever know.
Robert felt the power of her beauty. A
warm affection began to spring up In his
heart tor her-but Annie was pettish and
wlllful. Her passionate temper knew no
bounds-her violence repeled him many
times when he felt most tenderly toward
her.
"She has no heart" he would say and
struggled to overcome the growing interest
he felt in her.
When she would bo left alone after hav.
Ing given vent to her temper, Annie would
feel overwhelmed with shame and selfre.
proach but she was ever too proud to &C.
knowledge her faults, yet-although pas
sonate and willful--Annic's character had in
it tho elements Of noble nature, had there
been some one near her who could have
checked her wayward impulses, and taught
her to subdue her proud will. She went
on heedlessly; Sowing tho wind" in her
folly, and, alss! in due time did she not
''reap the whirlwind?"
"Annie," said Mr.. Morton sSp day, "my
friend, Mr.. Leslie, has purchased Lon gbrooE
I congratulate you, for he has two daughters
about your own age. You will no longer
want society: You, too, Charlie, must ride
over with Annie to see them and Robert,
MIR. Leslie is also an old friend of your ia.
ther; for the sake of 'auld lang syne,' l
should like you all to be upon pleasant
terms Of intimacy"
Flora and Mary Leslie, though sisters,
bore little resemblance to each other, either
in person or character. Flora was the
more beautiful, Her face was of style
rarely seen pale as a marble statue and as
cold not tinge of color ever mantled her
cheeks Her hair-black as night-she
wore parted smoothly over her brow, and
folded in rich braids ON her classic head,
with simplicity that defed ornament
Her eyes were not black, but of deep,
dark blue, with long black lashes that swept
over her checks, still paler from the con-
trast. Her figure was tall and exqusitely
moulded. Her beauty did not, however,
leave q pleasant impression. There was no
woman's gentleness, no warmth in her man.
ner; one felt as in the presence of an ice.
berg. Her sister, on tho contrary, seemed
like little sylph; aud Robert Dennyn's
eyes rested so fondly upon her, as to cause
Annie Morton's heart to sink within her.
Mary Leslie's hair foated in ringlets
round her neck with wild grace; her
bright blue eyes gave so clear light, and
her laugh was 30 innocent and happy, chat
one felt certain that no guile was in hel
heart.
Annie Morton and the Lesies were daily
companions and when their loars of study
were over, Charlie Morton and Robert Den
nyn always knew where to fnaythe young
n