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

plank without her.
Just at this time, Mr.. Morton paid his
OLD friend visit. He was a man of nc.
knowledged ability, and Mr.. Dennyn knew
that in placing his son with him, he would
secure for him an able legal preceptor. as
we'll as kind friend Mr.. Morton WILLING.
~ received him under his charge, while
ltobcrt gladly accepted the offer Of his ia.
ther which removed him, for time. from
that home, now rendered painful bv it's
memories of the dead. He came 70 Mr.
Morton's with heart saddened by the
scenes OF sorrow, through which he had 30
recently passed; and the warm affection
with which the family greeted him, made
hlm feel at once that he was not among
strangers.
Charlie and himself had long been
friends: IN college they were regarded as a
miracle of brotherly attachment. No won.
dcr-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
bcamlng with kindness and good-nature
made him everywhere a welcome guest, and
his return home cause for rejoicing. His
father was very proud of him, for he had
come off with flying colors at the final col
leglate 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 glcc 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 for his voice; to note the cvcr-varyiug
expression of his countenance with an eager
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 for her-but Annie was pettish and
willtul. Her passionate temper knew no
bounds-hor violence repelled him many
times when he felt most tendcrly toward
her.
"She has no heart" he would say and
struggled to overcome the growing interest
he felt in her.
When she would be left alone after hav-
ing given vent to her temper, Annie would
feel overwhelmed with shame and self.re-
proach; but she was ever too proud to ac-
knowledge her faults, although pas
sionatc and williul--Annic's character had in
it the elements of Il 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 hecdlcssly; Sowing the wind" in her
folly, and, alss in due time did she not
''reap the whirlwind :"
"Annic," said Mr.. Morton eoe day, "my
friend, MIR. Leslie, has purchased Lon gbrook.
| 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,
Mr.. Leslie is also an old friend of your IA
ther; for the sake Of 'auld lang syne,' |
should like you all to be upon pleasant
terms Of intimacy"
Flora and Mary Leslie, though sisters,
bore little resemblance to each other, either
i'll person or character. Flora was the
more beautiful, Her face was of style
rarely seen; pale as 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 Oh her classic head
with a simplicity that dcied ornament
Her eyes were not black, but Of deep,
dark blue, with long black lashes that swept
over her cheeks, still paler from the CON
trast. Her figure was tall and cxqusitely
moulded Her beauty did not, however,
leave pleasant impression. There was no
woman's gentlcness, no warmth in her man
her; one felt as in the presence of an icc-
berg. Her sister, on the contrary, seemed
like little sylph; and Robert Dcnnyn's
eyes rested so fondly upon her, as to cause
Annie Morton's heart to sink within her.
Mary Leslc's hair foatcd in ringlets
round her neck with wild grace; her
bright blue eyes gave so clear light, and
her laugh was so innocent and happy, chat
one felt certain that no guile was in her
heart.
Annie Morton and the I.eslics were daily
companions; and when their hours Of study
were over, Charlie Morton and Robert Den
nyn always knew whcro to find the young
girls. Bright visions Of the future rose up
before them; and, was it strange that in the
dreams of each, the gentle, loving Mary les
lie walked, sideby side, through their life
with them? Both the young men loved her