Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-06-03

we are obliged to keep the windows closed" "
All the while she was bathing me with
cool, delicious, perfumed water, and brushing
out my tangled curls. Bringinga a fresh night
dress she assisted me to put it on, and then
raising me, she placed huge pillows about me,
and was ready Tor the delicious meal Of
light toasted bread, fresh butter, and quiVer-
ingjelly, with cup of strong tea was
hungry enough to devour it all, and as I'M
ished my repast, Cliftor came in with irult.
he paused on the threshold and said:s j ,z
"Agnes, you are the most beautiful woman
1 have ever beheld. AS girl, you were
charming, but as woman, you are beautiful
beyond expression. How are you feeling this
evening ?"
GAS we'll as look," answered, gaily.
"You will need no more care or medicine,
if that be true"
sibility of my case, and taken me to your
home. You have yet to learn how exactlng!
I can be. Seat yourself beside me, s;r, and
pare one of these oranges that I may eat it, y
I said, with mock authority.
His face beamed with happinss as he drew
deep chair to the side of my couch, and
commenced to do as I had said. Mrs. Sey-
mour begged to be excused for an hour, say
ing that she needed sleep, and after an hours
rest would be in readiness to sit with me dur
ing the remaining hours of the night. Clifton
promised to remain with me, during her ab-
sence, and she left us.
SNOW for cosey, chat with you little wo-
man." he said.
And for the next two hours we talked OF
the time intervening between the burning oil
The Hotel Grande in Italy, and the disaster
which had been the means of restoring US to
each other. He praised my selfforgctfulness
in putting aside my love for him, uead as
thought him to be, and Frightening the de
parting life of Arthur Maryland, and making
the faults of Abilene as light as possible, we
passed over all, until we came to the present
hour of.reunion.
81 shall lose no time in making sure Of
you, this time, my darling. We will not al
low circumstances to separate US again" be
said
GAS soon rs recover the use Of my foot
and hand, we will be united," | answered.
For answer, he touched his lips to my fore
head and whispered:
"My own My darlingE"
In his voice was the power to thrill my in
most soul, and when he breathed of love, ]
was more than happy.
As we sat thus, the door opened, and Mrs.
Seymour entered, saying:
"Athlene has recovered and sends her re-
CARDS TO Mrs. Maryland. Shall she come in n
Clifton did not answer, and / said:
"By all means"
In few moments Mrs. Seymour returned,
and with her came Abilene, the woman who
had wrought so much of suffering in the
neshes Of my web of life. She was pale,
aud her voice was low and sweet-toned, but
in her evil eyes the demon still lurked. i
could see it, though shielded by the strong
l9ve Of Clifton, had ceased to fear it. She
advanced toward me, and kuerftUg by ni5
side, her cycds dropped as she murmured
"Agnes, Is the past forgiven?'
In my great happiness / could nos enter
tain an unkind thought, and answered:
Freely forgiven, Athlene."-
She touched her lips to my hand as she
bowed over it, and they Gid not burn it.
wonder nov that it could have been So. For
4 half an hour We sat there, but copversed
little. Clifton held my hand aud looked into
my eyes. Mrs Seymour sat on the opposite
side of the couch, and Abilene had retired to
the shaded window, aud fel; that her gilt
teting eyes were fXed upon us.
"Shall I remain with you, tonight, my
daughter? ~ said Mrs. Seymou: or will you
accept the offer of Abilene to sit by your
couch p"
81 think you need rest, dear mother. and l
shall be as we'll with Abilene, if she feels
equal to the task" l answered,
Abilene moved to the bedside with q cat
like melton, end said, fly; 9'e'
Nothing will give me so much pleasure
as to prove my sorrow for the past, BY My de-
votion to your present need"
Bat Clifton said: a~Si
.ILavc engaged q nurse to care for Agnes
during her illness. She will be here, pre-
seutly." eof-i
Did Athlene'a eyes flash murder for Clifton
or me.2 Surely for one.. -. 5.
Pre- emily, Mrs. Jackson, the nurse, arrived
She was quiet body, middle-aged, and kind;
hearted. She at onces set about preparing the
room for the night. Sho told Mrs Seymour
and Abilene, that'is was necessary to insure
quiet before asound sleep. She would like
1 that the room might be atiil,at ONCE. "a s.r,s
Mrs. Seymour arose, and kissing my 1,beek
bade me good night. Abilene, simply bow,
ing, repeated Tie words and left the room
Then Clifton bent his proud head and kissed
my lips, whispering: -
"Good.night, love u - -
Then turning to Mrs. Jackson, he added,
in explanation Of his caress
"This young lady is my betrothed wife,
Mrs. Jackson, who was an old nurse of the
family, smiled as she replied:
81 thought so:"
After wishing her a pleasant goodnight, be
retired - -
Mrs. Jackson was very careful that should
not see too much company, and l saw very
little of the family during her stay. Clifton
was allowed to come into the room only for
a few moments each day, and Mrs. Seymour
only now and then futtered in and out for a
few moments conversation. Of Abilene !
saw nothing.
DR.. Wells came every day, and under bis
skilful management the burns were soon heal
ed, and ina fortnight from the time l arrived
at the house ofthe Seymours, I was able to
be dressed and! sit by the window. -. =,
had inquired for Mrs Maryland, and had
been informed that she was too severely
burned to come to me, and l was told not to
be alarmed as. she was not suffering AS much
as myself Consequently, looked forward
to the day on which should meet the dear,
old lady, with anticpations of pleasure. We
had been so much together during the years
since my lonely journey from the home Of
3, Abilene Monili to the Italian Hotel, in search
of employment, that I had become very much
I-cttaohcd to her. Judge of my surprise. and
grief, when. I learned that she had lost her life
at the burning of the hotel. But grief finds
slight lodring-place in the heart where love
reigns, unless that grief be connected with
.Lo oh;oot of that loca