The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-04-18
UNION G. H., SOUTH CAROLINA, APRIL 49, 1879


her heart was capable.
Robert remained several weeks at Long
brook. He did not choose that Annie
SHOULD see that her scornful rejection had
given him pain, and he unconsciously de.
voted himself to Flora, who saw that her
triumph was approaching. When they
met, Annie could not avoid displaying agi.
tatlon; but she struggled hard with her
feelings.
"He shall never know how much have
loved him" the poor girl would say
In this Elora-ruyuusq=syttst yUusrs
is your woman's pride, that you will permit
him to sec 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 ropulscd. 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
acquaintance with her, when she was scarce.
ly more than a child REQUIRED to him. He
said to himself as then, "She has no heart"
In this mood he returned to Longbrook.
Entering the drawing. room, the first thing
that attracted his attention was Flora. She
was bending over table with small min
iaturc open before her. Her hands were
claspcd, her whole features convulsed. AS
he approached she started with we'll -feigned
surprise, stammered a few words, and left
| the room.
Robert was amazed-who could she love?
This col! 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 rivcted in such ag-
onized hopclessness 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 than
cver-the coldncss settled on his heart.
"llerc," said he, shave l wasted all the
love which possessed upon one incapable
Of returning it, while this noble creature
1t shall uot be !. she shall not suffer upon
my account | will drive from my thoug hts
the idol | have cherished, and replace it by
the image of this beautiful girl.
Without moments hesitation he ad-
dressed IA 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, "if you
will accept n heart that has not been all
yours, my life shall be spent in endeavoring
to make you happy"
Was Flora Leslie happy? Her end was
well-nigh accomplished She saw herself
already mistress of a magnificent estab-
lishment, surrounded with spleador, recciv-
ing the homage due to her beauty; but hap
piness had fled from her bosom, sweet peace
from her pillow, for she felt that she had
trampled and crushed to the earth, the
hopes of a breaking heart
Charlie Morton was delighted when he
learned the engagement. He fastened to
tell Annie of it.
81 once hoped to have seen you his bride,
Annie. I 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 "he loves
me still L will not believe it Even though
it be true, he shall not marry this girl |
will tell him all % She wrote hurried
passionate note to Robert, in which she
confe: scd how much she loved him there
was no coldness now-all pride was gone
merged in tho 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 Dennyn
; when he received the note, just as he was
setting forth for his home in B.
"Once," he wrote in answer, "Annie
Morton knew that she might have asked
any thing Of me, even life itself-now 1 am
irrevocabIy bound to another"
Annie Morton received the note; she