Year: 1859


broke upon my ear in the land of the
stranger, to think of her sending her
prayers upward for the wanderers safe
return.


gave her ring-one that had been
my mothers -affd we parted, she to her
chamber to weep, and to roam the world,
of which / knew nought; but my heart
was firm, and if for one moment doubt
crept in, her bright image drove it away.


pictured her alone in her little room,
her hands pressed over her beating heart,
her head bowed in this her first grief As
the boat bore me over the ripping waves,
toward the ship that only waited for me
before the white sails were spread to the
breeze, and as the gallant ship moved
slowly onward, for the last time came the
sound of that bell borne across the waters
not now ringing cheerfully out, but tolling
soft and low Oh far better had it been
tolling for thee, Annie Bell-it would have
spared ME many years of sorrow.


How l toiled in those long years of
separation The name of her l loved was
my shield, and when my absence had been
unavoidably prolonged, and five years in
stead of three had come and gone, turn
ed homeward. l was rich, and much of
this worlds store was mine and with
proud name | hastened back to the loved |
one,


Once more | stood upon my own native
soil, and as | drew near the cottage a |
bright light streamed from out the latticed
window, like beacon to guide me safely
Yet an icy hand seemed to grasp my
heart, and l could scarcely raise the iron
ring and summon her to meet the wanderer
| knocked, and over the sanded floor came
slow, unsteady, faltering step. Poor
Jacob thought l, he will need me now,
for he he is old.


The door slowly opened staggered
back, for in the eyes that met mine l saw
tale of woe Was Annie Bell dead?


In trembling broken voice, kind Jacob
Bell bade me enter. l sat beside the
window-this wondow-but | dared not
ask single question; and the old man
was the first to speak, but he told me ALL


Said he: "Annie told us OF her love for
you, and we were glad. Your absence
drove the roses from her cheek, and the
song from her heart, but your frequent let
ters cheered us all, and we fondly looked
to the future Edward Leeson called
often to see us, and thought at first my
darling feared him but when his words
were Of you, her confidence was greater
in him. Their theme was ever of you,
and l did not then regret their friendship
But the blow came For long time we
heard not from you, and then came the
news that you were dead. We had a sad
winter, but the spring time, with its birds
and flowers brought the color to her pale
face. Edward Leeson was always at her
side; for he seemed link between the
living and the dead, for he had been your
friend.


"One evening l saw that sorrow was on
her mind, and she asked my blessing. L
gave it to her with all my heart, not
dreaming of the cloud that would break
on the morrow.


"Morning came, and like the hand of
death fell the words; annie is not in her
room-she had gone, and with her Ed
ward Leeson.


4 "Once, twice, came letter from dis
tant land, l besought her to return but
years came before she returned, to die
Lesson had proved false, and she died
my daughter died-without bearing his
f name She rests yonder, and tomorrow
we will go there"


Poor Jacob, he went there ere the NOR
row dawned.


; That night l passed in her little room,
but | did not sleep, Once a year l return.
ed to keep my lonely watch, and every
visit brings me nearer her. Tonight,
when the moon has gone to rest, | shall
kneel there tomorrow shall pluck an
other flower from her humble grave, and
, then seek the world till the year rolls
round again,


Edward Leeson, my boyhood's cherish
ed friend, Inover cursed thee, but my life
q was made bitter by the tongue that falsely
told my death and won from me my bride
We shall meet again,


And, Annie Bell, think not of thy
, shame. | only remember the sweet child
beside the brook, the blushing maiden
o who heard my VOWS and as now the morn