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

loved Robert with all the deep love of which
her heart was capable.
Robert remained several weeks at Long
brook. He did not choose that Annie
should see that her scornful rejection hac
given him pain, and he unconsciously de
voted himself to Flora, who saw that he,
triumph was approaching. When they
met, Annie could not avoid displaying agi
tation; but she struggled hard with her
feelings.
'He shall never know how much I have
loved him." the poor girl would say.
-1n this leIg-rpguurqErSt.iE .t,rusre
is your woman's pride, that you will permic
him to see your wretchedness. This cold,
proud man is scarcely worth all this display
of affection"
Just at this time an event occurred which
prolonged the visit of Robert. Mrs MGR.
ton died. Robert could not leave his friends
IN their deep affliction. Poor Annie her
grief was wild and ungovernable. She grew
pale and thin; never now, as of old, did the
light flash in her eye, and tho color
mount to her cheek
How Roberts heart yearncd to fold her
in his arms and soothe her agony. He de.
termined to make one last effort to win her
love; but again he was repulscd. Her evil
genius whispered that now he sought her in
compassion he had seen what Flora called
her weakness, and having won from her
confession of her love, would dcspise her
! for it..
Robert left her presence convinced that
she did not love him, that her conduct tow
ard him had been all coquetry. His first
| m nko,~ al, L.. Il. i
ly more than child, REQUIRED to him. He
said to himself as then, "She has no heart"
In this mood he rsturned to Longbrook.
Entering the drawing room, the first thing
that attracted his attention was Flora. She
was bending over table with a small min
iaturc open before her. Her hands were
clasped, her whole features convulsed. As
he approached she started with we'll -feigued
surprise, stammered few words, and lett
the room.
Robert was amazed--who could she love?
This col1 creature, who had never before
displayed the least sign of feeling From
her manner, he inferred, that that love,
whoever its object, must be hopeless. He
advanced to the table, the picture upon
which her eyes had been riveted in such ag.
onized hopelessncss was his own. Robert
staggered back into the seat which Flora
had just quilted. A cold damp moisture
settled on his pale forehead, now paler thar
ever-the coldncss settled on his heart
"Hcre," said he, shave 1 wasted all tn,
love which I possessed upon one incapable
Of returning it, while this noble creature
1t shall uot DC ! she shall not suffer upor
my account l will drive from my thought.
the idol have cherished and replace it by
the image of this beautiful girl.
Without moments hesitation he ad
dressed note to Flora, telling her that he
had seen her agitation, and discovered the
cause of it; frankly he admitted that he
had not loved her-"But," he wrote, sif YOU
will accept heart that has not been al
yours, my life shall be spent in endeavorins
, to make you happy"
Was Flora Leslie happy? Her end wa.
well-nigh accomplished. She saw hersel
already mistress of magnificent estab
lishment, surrounded with spleador, recoiv
ing the homage due to her beauty; but hap
piness had fled from her bosom, sweet peac,
from her pillow, for she felt that she had
tranpled and crushed to the earth, tn,
hopes of breaking heart.
Charlie Morton was delighted when b.
learned the engagement. He hastened t.
tell Annie of it.
| 81 once hoped to have seen you his bride
Annie. 1 think he loved you but if you
did not love him, of course, you were right
not to accept him."
Annie listened calmly, and her good
brother never knew that he was the mes
senger that brought darkness and despair
to her soul. A new light broke upon her.
Could her friend have been treacherous
But it could not be, Charlie must have been
mistaken. She recalled Roberts fond
words, his despair, when he left her so short
a time before.
"It cannot be-" she exclaimed che loves
me still will not believe it Even though
it be true, he shall not marry this girl ]
will tell him all p She wrote hurried
passionate note to Robert, in which she
confessed how much she loved him; there
was no coldness now-all pride was gone
merged in the wild thought that she might
yet recall him to her side.
Impatiently she waited for his answer
which she felt would be life or death to her
Who shall tell the agony of Robert Dennyr
T when he received the note, just az he wa.
setting forth for his home in b.