Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-09-17

many purposes and desires of its
own TO- long heed tue fall of an
other.
Bravely she took up the cross
uncomplainingly bore it. No use.
less sorrow, no iretful complainin IS
marrcd the worth Of her sacrifice,
The past had been q sweet dream
it had vanished, but she could
thank God for its memory.
After every dollar had been hon,
orably repaid, small sum remain,
ed to thcm-enough, In the hands
Of an earnest, prudent man, to he
tlc basis of future independence.
But Charlie was not such a man.
His indolcnt and luxurious habits
overcame all - manly resolves.
Weak, vacillating, hc was burden
instead Of an aid. His own capac-
Iity made him reckless; ho could
not bear the silent rcbukc of Hopes
manner, more cutting than angry
words.
In sensclcss riotings he s1uan-
dcrcd their slender store; in drunk
en- rcrcllings degraded still moro
! his weak womanhood. Drunkard
loafrr, whining suppliant for
drink, and then the separation
calnc. The brother waa a fugitive
from Justice; lis helpless wife and
newborn babe dependent on tho
efforts Of the stronS-hcartcd sister
And this WAS the end Of Hone
Warton's sacrilicc-madc more bit
ter by its usclcssncss. This was
the result of her agony, so shame
ful and yet purchased ut how ter
riblc cost. No wonder her strono
heart trcmblcd, no wonder her no,
bic spirit bowed for moment.
But with unrcrininS lips she took
up life's weary load and carried il
bravcly onward.
And how often thus? Lifc's pu.
rest deeds, humanity's noblcst ac-
tons, produce here only bitterness
and sorrow. But beyond? EARTH
has no honors fitted to crown them
their reward is in heaven.
The evening breeze blew softly
through the opened windows of a
Southern hospital. It lifted the
swaying covers Of pure white,
spread the odors of newly gathered
flowers, and toycd lovingly with
tic golden curls Of a sufferer who
lay babbling softly to himself in
the wandcrings of fever.
Rayne Boughton, walking slowly
up the aisle, between the long rows
of snowily-draped beds, paused tc
listen. lie had never seen that
face before, and yet there was
something strangely familiar in it
Something in the arching brows
in the graceful curve of the busy
| lips, in the tones Of the voice, called
up slumbering memories in hi:
heart, bitter memories that liz
thought had been forever put t.
rest.
"Unknown," said the attendant
in answer to Rayne Boughton'.
questioning look. "IIe cannot liv,
much longer, the fever will rcacl
its height tonight, and he is toe
much broken down to rally. To
morrow morning he will be dead
Rayne returned sadly to the pa
ticnt. The fair hair was dam,
with sweat, the blue eyes flashing
with fcvcr-light, the restless tongu,
busy with wandering words.
lie raved wildly of guilty drunk
en- sccnos, of fierce brawls, ant
wild rcvels. Then lie was a fuei
tive, wretched, despairing, implor
ing in frantic words his pursucr
not to slay him.
A softer look came into the wild
eyes: there was m ournful cntreat,
III the lowered tone.
"Ncllic, dear Nellie, come to me
[ am waiting, waiting for you ant
baby. Will you never come? The,
lied, Nellie, L did not desert YOU.
[ am waiting, darling Will yor
not come ?"
Ills tono wasiucxpressibly tender
and pleading.
"And Hope, brave, strong, true
Hope, you will not desert men
Where are you, Hope? Como to me
They said you were to be married
4 I ~,