Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-05-27
Even, had you perished, as I then supposed, I
could. have better borne it, than this unklnd-

Even had you perished, as then supposed,
could. have better borne it, than this unklnd-
ness" ss- ss2s
was about to. answer, when Abilene came
into the room, as if by chance.
"Ahl truantl" she exclaimed, !" have
found your and without seeming to be aware
of my presence, she urged him to come 10
the 'drawing-room, where an old and valued
friend awaited him. Mrs. Maryland, andseve'
raj others now came in, and was borne away
to the hall, where found the guests were de-
parting, and Mrs.. Maryland urged my prepa-
rations for departure. As I descended from
the ,.dressing-room, Clifton Seymour stood
ready to hand me to the carriage. He whls'
pered as he bent over my hand, ..-
.tsI shall call at your hotel tomorrow"
"Bring Mrs: Seymour if you please" L an
swered. -. ..'@ 8.
he looked surprised and panied, but the
customary " goodnight" was exchanged, and
weary, sad, and dissatisfied, ], leaned back in
the carriage, listening to the talkative old
lady beside me; she said: . =;
my dear daughter Everybody was
charmed, your grace and elegance are the
theme of all conversation, and your beauty the
envy of ALL became acquainted with the
Seymours tonight, and have accepted an IN
yitation for you and myself to dine with
them next week. The elder Mrs. Seymour Is
a lovely woman, I do not fancy the. younger
one, she is too snake-like. But the gentleman,
Clifton, is very interesting. I spoke to him
of my daughter, and he said you were very
beautiful, be seemed very much interested in
your history. 1 told him all about your com.
ing to US, Just how we happened TO meet, and
I saw his eyes flesh, and he looked the
young Mrs. Seymour, his wif lust as if she
had something to do about | told him
how you took care of poor Arthur, who was
dying when you came to us, and how you had
consented to become his wife, because you
could not bear to have him die, longing tor
the love Of girl whom. he had done so much
for I told him that you married my son
more from pity than love, and he looked at
you and said low, and soft-lke, "Noble wo-
mani" / then went on to tell7him how that
Arthur had died in your arms, at the sunset
of your bridal day, and he was ali attention.
| told him that you would never marry, be-
cause before you had seen Arthur, you had
loved man who had saved your life once,
and lor his sake, you "ouiu uie. d Miuo",
/ made no answer, for my mind was busy
I was glad that Mrs: Maryland had for once
turned her talking propensity to my advan,
tage.r Now l was. cleared in Clifton's mind
of the charge of Inconsistency. He knew all
Oh, if it were not for Abilene, we might yet
be happy.
Arrived at our hotel, 1 went Immediately
to my room, where remained sitting in the
moonlight until near morning. My hour o.
trial had come. uad strength to bear it :!
Would Clifton come on the morrow? w hat
good could an explanation do now that he
was the husband of another? Should hecon-
vince me that he had been deceived and mar
red Abilene from motives as pure as those
prompting me to become the wife of Arthur;
would it not make it verso for me? Should
not sink under the thought of what might
have been? Were it not better that should
think of him with sccrn, than with love, now
that,he could never be tome other than
lost love? Those questions arose again and
again, fensod afsfstltisfsa
row. Would he bring Abilene?