Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1869-10-20


.frosar sse ble-d drawer, and Mr.. Holmes coolly
3. placed il under hisarm. May / do what !
/ please with them ?" he asked. =.
!. Certainly"
8 Good-evening, then; ! am going to spend
the evening with 1ola.'
4 Weeks passed away, snd Hester heard
nothing from Mr.. iiolnes. The boy sill
brought the law pa. .,ers, and she continued to
devote some hours each day to her more con.
genial writing and studies. :
One evening, shewas seated at the piano,
singing to Mr.. Hopkins, who, half asleep,
listened to the pure, fresh voice pouring forth
his favorite ballads, when Mr.. Holmes came
in. She started up with delight. then stood
still, blushing at her own eagcrncss.
aMiss Crawford" "'he said, gravely, ST have
called upon business. Will you sign some
papers for me, without knowing what they
are?"
Certainly. Am signing away all my
property ?" she asked, laughiDgly, as she COM
piled with his request.
eyes, for fair equivalent"
No mare was said about the papers. The
eveuing passed pleasantly, w,sI, -,nns:e-and
conversation; aud then there came another
long lapse of time before Hester saw Mr..
Holmes. At last, he came again. She had
|
missed him sorely, grieying over his silence,
and wondering whether he could be offended.
with her. 1t was in the morpingthat be
called. Hester was at a-s;ssssas a-ss;ssssa saalo ,in-the,'
greenhouse arranging bouquets for large
party to be given at Mrs. Green's, when
book was laid before her. The title, in large
gilt letters, NEGLECTED Flowers, by Lola"
made her open it, to find all her fugitive sto-
ries, sketches, ard poetry collected together,
and tastefully embellished with engravings-
"You are surprised said well,known
voice, "but, trust, not offended"
Offended Oh, Mr.. Holmes, this IS your
work How kind, how ve,y kind you are!'
Not at all. l am, to day, the bearer of
many commissions-the book, the contract.
you signed last month, and five hundred dol
lars from the publisher"
"Fivc hundred dollars !"
eyes. here it is, in gold, as you see. You
rnst give up law, Miss Crawford, and prac-@
lise l'craIurc; but an(! his vice rs low
+.,4i-'' vlicn you t,'a;,i.e ne law may !
hap. yru will po, forget ilc lawyer?
She Stood Silent, nervou>y fngc'ing the
Tag Of money on the table, while the hot
blood mantled over check and brow. A look
of proud joy cam0 into Lawr0nce Holmes's
eyes.
! @.-1ester," he said(seutly, "you cannot be
surprised whep>6>say I love you; you must
have seen it befOre,lhis. Will you not speak
so-sao ? may call yea -aaasas-an-tt
IL am so unworthy" she stammercd. ar
poor and-obscure.'
Poor!'' he said, gayly, pointing to the
money. "obscure here are five papers that
came today, with notices Of Neglected Flow
ers.' Poor and obscure? Mol Yet, were
you both, love you. Will llyoube my wife?"
And he opened his arms to fold her to his
bosom. She did not speak, and it was not
needed.
Two months later, there was a great party
given at Mrs. Larkins's. Many of the guests
were already assembled and Lola, beautiful
as q picture, and exauisitely dressed, was
Aitriug from group to group, the darling Of
the evening.
81 expect the bride, Mrs. Holmes, will
honor us this evening"" said Mrs. Larkins 10
a lady who stood beside her. Did you
know she was the author of that gem Of lite
rature, Neglected Flowers?"
81 heard CT it. Who was she 2"
~ don't know. Nobody knows. She wrote
secretly under the signature of Lola until
after her marriage, and then she burst upon
the world with her Dame already in every
oAc's mouth. have not yet seen her; but
Lcr mother-iu-law promised 20 persuade her
to join us. All, there she is !"
Ra1ianty beautiful, with an exquisite
dress of soft white lace, and glittering with
diamonds, Hester came across the room,
leaning on her husbands arm.
aHow beautiful! !" whispered all.
"Surely have seen that face before" ."mut-
tered Mrs. Larkins, as sue advanced to meet
her guest.
Hester gracefully acknowledged Mrs. Lar
kins's cordial welcome; but her eyes roved
about the room. Suddenly, it lighted. A lit
tie girl. whose white dro'o was pure anu
loyev ns bss own, was coming to meet her.
She came slowly and timidly, with her eyes
fixed upon Heater's face; while herown wore
puzzled expression. Hester smiled and
then, with glad cry Of I" Hester |! sister Hes
ter !" Lola sprang into her arms.
Hester held her there tightly, and, TURF
ing to Mrs. Larkins, said, in low tone tha'
reached only her ear I" You will let Inc see
her sometimes p
81 SHALL be only too glal, if you will let
her still be mine," was the reply. Forgive
me-" she added, frankly, holding out her
hand, for having separated you for SO long"
One little scene, and VIC close the story.
The room is luxuriously furnished library,
opening into conservatory. At table, we
see Lawrence Holmes writing. Near him,
Hester is seated on a sofa, with Lola beside
her. They are talking of tie events of the
ti,ns when they never saw each other Be-
yond, in the conservatory, busy amongst MS