The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-04-23


but in outward action has schooled herse
so severely that she might be taken for you
own sister, Mr.. Lorraine"
colder than yourself, is she, Paul 3" ask
ed Charles.
"sho will be twenty-five on Christina
day coming, replied Paul.
"Schoolcd herself severely, and onl,
twenty-five! She must be an anomaIay il
womankind," observed Lorraine.
She has been mother to the family
llouse-keeper and companion to papa these
ten years." responded Paul.
"You have no mother them"
81 have no MOTHER" and Paul sighet
deeply, rs he seemed to ok back into til,
years Of his childhood, we're lighted
by the smiles Of the moth. lad lost
lie simply added:
"My mother was no ordinary woman
Mr.. Lorraine. She was very beautiful, ant
possessed in the highest degree that uncom
mon beauty-beauty of the soul. My
father idolized her, and to us children, she
was an impersonation of excellence-ont
of Gods angels"
Pau! lad never spoken SO freely to his
employer, and as lie looked up into Lor.
raine's face, lie saw there an expression he
had never seen before, softcning Of every
feature that made him appear beautiful.
"It needed only that" thought Paul, a a
warmth, life, the light of human love in
lis face, to make him glorious in human
beauty"
But, as Paul looked again, the warmth
had passed away, and Lorraine's face was
again as cold rs that of lake over which
the sun had glanced, and left again without
resting any Of its genial beams.
Lorraine and Paul had by this time ar
rived at their rooms. Tile former gave his
horse into the hands Of servant, and the
latter went to his desk.
Charles Lorraine had been at the home
Of Paul the few days he had promised, and
these few days had heightened into q week
and the week into two weeks, and still
Charles was lingering with Paul, at the
pleasant old homestead. He had left his
business with safe and sure hands, and
simply remarking to Paul, "a little escape
from the drudgery of figures will he of ben
fit to your eyes" he complied with the old
gentleman's request, and day after day still
stayed on.
There was that indescribable charm of
home in the old farm house, which Charles
Lorraine had never before experienced, and
whether the bright, unfathomable eyes of
Blanche Moreton, and her graceful manners,
80 easy and assured, and at the same time
modest and dignifed, had anything to do
with the charming Of Charles with the de-
light Of the home circle around him, he did
not declare.
Blanche was we'll read, and could ably
support conversation. She was brilliant
and witty too, and Paul saw. for the first
time those qualities shining forth from his
employer. More than once he though in
his heart, "What an excellent match they
would make; both beautiful, both accom-
plishcd, both highly intellectual, both brin-
full of sparkling wit, and both possessing a
deep, earnest nature lying back of the i'm
penetrable mask they have each seen fit to
put on, to hide perhaps the too keenly SEN
sitive feelings Of their own hearts,"
But Paul saw them still cold toward each
other. Occasionally he detected flash in
the eye Of one and gIeam responsive in
that of the other, but like the meteor's
glow, 1t vqs gone almost as soon as kin,
died.
. At length the day came for Paul and
Lorraine to return to the city. Paul watched
hissemployer and his sister at the parting
moment, but to all appearance their part
ing was as cold as their meeting.
r A year had passed by. The Christmas
time was again at band. Lorraine had, du.
ring the year, manifested an unvary;ne
kindness towards Paul. But seldom did
they speak. Of 4Blanche-Paul, from mo-
'ives of delicacy, and Lorraine from motives
best known to himself, spoke on all subjects
bat the beautiful Blanche.
Upon the morning before Christmaa
Paul'came into the presence of Lorraine
abruptly, with flushed face and agitated
manner
aMr. Lorrine,' said be, II must 90 home
P)anche is dying" ~
Charles started, the blood rushed into his
|,psle face fec until it was s as red as Pauls Bu
in calm, measured voice, he said
Certainly, Paul. Go to your sister
if there is anything I can do, remember
do not hesitate in calling upon me. speal
sincerely"
Before night Paul was athis sisters bed
side. So wasted, 50 wan, so spiritually
beautiful she looked, it seemed, to eyes d
Paul, that she had already passed from