The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-07-13
CHAPTER III

CHAPTER II
Annie's complexion was very fair,
her features small aud regular, and her
eyes large and beautifully blue, with a
tlmld, pleading expression in them.
Her halr was of pale gold, falling in
masses of curls about her neck. She
was small, slight and singularly grace
ful, and there was an intangible some
thing about her that claimed from
every one special tenderness
particularly recommended her to
Stephens kindness, and he good-na-
turedly told her stories and did his
best to divert her mind from its sad
memories, and he succeeded well.
Sometimes. when he talked to her, she
would look up into his face with
wondering, reverential expression in
her mournful eyes, and then | was
more proud than ever Of his talents,
and more than ever thankful that he
was my promised husband.
AT first, when | sent Stephen from
me to talk to Annie, he went with re-
gret; little while, and there was no
regret: and then, oh woeful thought,
fancied he went with pleasure.
Once, as he sat by her, chatting and
amusing her, thought he looked like
her father, and pictured him in the
future adapting his conversation to the
intelligence of a little child who should
call me mother, and bringing bright
smiles into her face and overshadow ing
her with loving kindness aud protec
ton; and my heart grew warmer, and
l loved him more fervently than ever
before. And, as watching him, |
wished that my love might grow as
great as his goodness, he caught my
eyes and his face colored.
A chill ran through me; fear, in
definite but terrible, oppressed me-
went into the garden and walked
among the flowers and trees, and let
the fresh evening breeze blow upon
my head.
l tried hard to collect my thoughts,
but | could not A strange doubt,
dread and horror possessed me. i
could not think-I seemed to have no
mind could only feel.
| walked down the fir tree avenue,
Its darkness claimed kindred with me.
1t led to an open glade, where foun-
tam sparkled in the setting sun; its
waters fell in jewels of many colors.
l saw them not, but throwing myself
on the grass rested my head on the
cold margin of its marble basin.
Presently my hand played with the
cool water then bathed my fore
head with it, and soon found myself
counting the golden fish that sported
in its cool depths and watching their
gambols. | vaguely wondered how
many heart broken women had bathed
their foreheads in that fountain.
Then | remembered an ancestress
of mine whose betrothed had died on
the eve of her wedding day.
| saw her day !y day at the foun-
tam, and each day more shadowy and
etheral, until at last her soul passed
from the music of its waters to the
music of the beautiful spirit land; and
her friends found the frail body on the
turf, the head on the fountains mar
gin, its eyes seemingly gazing at the
fish, and its long curls floating in the
water
| remembered this clearly and was
thankful My mind had come back
the strange, hateful madness had pass
ed away; but | bathed my head again
and again and kept very quiet. was
afraid of myself. | knew that had
been jealous and scorned myself
yet was such poor, weak thing
that must treat myself carefully,
tenderly, lest tall again into my past
foolishness.
/ sat by the pool looking into its
waters. pressed the green leaves of
the water lily against my forehead and
its gracious GOODNESS made me more
myself, and | looked still into the
water, blue with the evening sky and
rosy with sunlit cloud, and l felt that
hope and happiness endured forever;
grief might come and dim their bright
ness, but could do no more.
felt the demon of jealousy had ell
tered into me; was humbled and
ashamed, and | longed that evil
thoughts might pass from me, and l
grew calm and rational once more.
The peace of night settled all around
me. An odorous perfume filed the
air, aud darkness came down IKE a
protecting genius, shrouding the earth
softly.
was at rest. The fear that had so
strangely disturbed me was dead, and
once again ] believed that the love
of my promised husband was all my
own.
For some days Stephen kept always
by my side, and l enjoyed again the
long conversations that were so de-
lightful to me, and the evil thought
returned no more to disturb my peace.
Our wedding day was very near (;
all suitable preparations had been
made--fair, new garments of every
description were being inspected by
my friends. ! was to begin the new
life with everything new-new clothes,
new house, new happiness.
Annie relapsed into her old sadness,
and grew day by day more beautiful,
for her face was flushed little, and
there was mourufulness in her large
eyes that touched the gazer's heart.
One evening | observed Stephen
looking at her, and there was that in
his glance that reused all my dread
once more, Frightened and trembling