Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-09-07

elnony, and the freedom and sociablity Of
Nine. de rOrme's house were its chief at
traclions to him, tired as he was Of
the conventionalities OF the world out
side Of il. Therefore, tonight, Natha.
lie seemed an intruder, and he felt irrita.
ted against her. But he was, of course,
too well bred to show it. After formal
introduction by Nine. lie rOrne, he eros
sed tho room, and sat down by lIortensc.
Fle had known her from chiiihcod, and he
treated her with the kind familiarity of
brother. llor,cnse raised her eyes quietly,
and held out her hand.
'lIortensc, when did your cousin come 2
How glad you must DO to havo her with
you!
There was slight tinge OF irony in the
last words which annoyed IIortcuse, and
with deepened color she replied:
She has only been hero two weeks.
am more than glad to have her with me
l am happy. Victor, if you knew her
YOU would understand why I love her.
Sho is so good, SO noble, so beautiful. Do
you not think she is beautifully
Not particularly said he, 'but really I
did not look. Seeing he was determined to
disagree with her in every thing, with n
gesture Of impaticnce sho rose aud went to
the piano.
NJ. st. Croix resumed his old habit Of
coming every evening, and soon he repen-
ted his hasty judgment of Nathalie. She
was so brilliant, so agreeable to him.
Though he soon became familiar with her,
his manner was OF course not as frank and
cordial with her rs with Hortense.
One evening Nine. de rome said, IIor-
tense, you never sing any more. Come,
sing 10 Victor one Of his old fayorite
songs. You have not sung TO him since
his return
'Because he has not asked me- said IIor-
tense, gently; but there was tone of sad
ness in her voice. She we mt to the piano
and sang his favorite. But wien she
ceased he was at the other end of the room
talking in an under tone to Nathalie. She
rose and quietly resumed her embroidery.
There was bitterness in her heart which
bronght the hot tears 10 her eyes, but they
did not fall.
Until now he had always taken such an
interest in all she liked; lie had encouraged
her always, and always when she turned
from tho piano after singing to him, she
had met his warm smile Of appreciation
until now. When he came to say good
night to her, she gave him her hand calm
ly, and raised her quiet grey eyes to his
with clear, calm look, and lie never sus-
pected the struggle going On beneath that
look.
Another month went on, and day by
day Nathalie saw the love that was grow
ing in Victor for Nathalie.
During all those days IIortense was rs
calm and as quiet as usual, and though in
the evening when she heard his step, her
heart throbbed wildly, her manner, never
changed, and she always met him with the
same quiet look. But at night, when all
was silent, and she was alone in her room,
then the mighty resistless storm of
agony which overpowered her, told how
passionately she loved Victor.
With the unmistakable instinct Of wo-
man, she kne.0 he did not love her. She
knew he loved Nathalie. Perhaps, if she
tried, she might yet win him, but loving
him as She e'did, Ills happiness was her first
desire. She could better endure her new
misery in relinquishiug him, than she could
the sight of bis suffering.
She saw that his happiness depended
upon Nattalies and she resolved 10 help
win that happiness for him. This would
be reward enough for her own sacrifice.
One night, as she was pacing her room
beforegqing q e|sleeplessi bsd she heard
a knock at the door, and, when she unlock
cd it, Nathalie, entered, Her face was
flushed, apd site seemed very much exci>
ted d.tisE0IEI ajit@s . GfGiEs QLl
'Hortense, n,a 5e'ie,' she said, Il have
something to .nyS.to you. 't1yili you let
me stay with you little wliilea' :.
Certainly, dear Nathalie. Calm your.
self, and then tell me what has happen
ed.' .asa. - a.sss,sa L-:a 9,.is .s,s:!ia,tu
i. Hortspse sat down by le FIRE, and Ma
thalie q \. knslt down 9beforeher;a hnd putting
her arms fqupd ihsr, said =. ~. a,a ss4 s
Well them Horiense, slf. gsk Gro;x
loves mss. and has asksd dss ssbs lis Vile.