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

rested uuheedod upon her lap. "Oh, what
long, long week this has been without
him: dear father p And the rich blood
mantled on her cheek; her black eyes
sparkled, and the smile that parted her
ruby lips made her very beautiful, as she
stood for one moment ere she sprang through
the easement and down the long avenue to
meet the carriage which contained her fa.
ther.
The mother looked after her daughter
with pride; but pressing her hand upon her
heart as if in pain, she sunk back upon her
seat,
"Ah! what will she do without me, wild
wayward as she is 7" murmured Mrs. Nor
ton. "Ths world has sadness in store for
thee fear, my daughter; when am gone,
who will shield thee, and care for thee, Us
have done ?"
A deep shade of sadness rested for mo-
ment upon her face ; hut it passed away rs
the mother bowed her head in prayer for
her passionate, wayward, but loving child
She heard the party approaching the
house, heard tue kind voice of her husband
as he answered the questions which Annie
poured upon him, and with q sweet smile
Mrs. Morton roso to meet them. The ex-
element of meeting her husband, after his
temporary absence, brought slight flush
upon her check, making her look better
than she really was; but it gladdencd the
heart Of Mr.. Morton, for when be left home
she was so i'll as to cause him much alarm !;
and as he folded his wife in his arms, he
said, tenderly-
"Why, my dear Mary, I shall leave home
oftener if my absence causes you to look so
well. l have not seen so handsome wo.
man since I have been in B.; but l
must not forget-here is young gentleman
waiting to be presented to you: know you
will welcome him."
Tears stood in Robert Dennyn's eyes
There was SOMETHING in Mrs. Mortons face,
in her sweet, sad smile that reminded him
painfully of his mother, who-but few
weeks~previous-h had seen laid in the
cold ground, hidden forever from his sight
He could scarcely command his voice to
speak. Mrs. Morton noticed his agitation,
and diviued the cause of it. She extended
both hands to him, and said
"Robert Dennyn, am glad to see you
here. Your mother was the dearest friend
of my girlhood; for the love OF our carly
days, son of hers will ever be most dear
to me-"
"Charlie will be at home tomorrow,
Robert" interrupted Mr.. Morton gaily,
anxious to give less serious turn to the
conversation; "but l do not intend to set
you down to your books yet awhile, my
boy you have studied too much already
you need rest. / wish to see you strong
and we'll exercise will be the best thing
Nhora ora horoas - ba % ,hlo -
your service and Annie, as wild madcap
out the beauties of all the country round,
and listen to her chattering. What say
you, my little magpie, will you have this
young gentleman for your knight-errant
doubt not he will be willing to do your
bidding"
Annie replied merrily supper was an
nounced, and in pleasant chat, the evening
passed rapidly away.
Charlie Morton came the next day; and
the warm grasp of his hand told to Robert
how much he sympathized with him in the
trials he had endured since they left col.
lege.
No two persons could be more unlike
than Charlie Morton and Robert Dennyn.
Robert was tall, handsome, and but for the
ga&eherie of boy unused to society, would
have been very graceful. His face was
perfect; a little too thin perhaps. At ttimes
his large black eyes flashed and sparkled
with o brilliancy that lighted up his pale
face, otherwise--in its expression-too
grave and he surprised as we'll as interes
ted his companions, for when in conversa
tion he would forget himself--few youths
could be more irresistible.
Though brought up 10 city, he had
been more secluded than boys are general
ly, therefore his manners needed that ease
aud selfconfdence which is only acquired
by intercourse with society.
His time, during his vacations, had beer
passed. chiefly with his mother, whom ht
idolized. As he approached manhood, ht
saw that mother--so dear--fading slowl,
away. When the reality first burst upor
him that she was dying, Robert was stunned
--paralyzed beyond the power of action
Was there 20 elixir of lite within hi
reach Alas no.
The messenger Of death came gently
peacefully to Mrs. Donnyn, and she died
blessing her husband and son for thoir un