The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-08-05


ways been most kind to her mother
and to herself. Sho caIlod it kind.
moss; but, in truth, it was sincere and
devoted lovo which ho felt for her.
! But there is often this terrible dispar-
ity and inequality of lovc--on ono
side fire, and on tho other frost. Tho
one loves, the other is loved; and be-
tween the active and passive of that
verb WI hat u world Of difference!
Drodata had no father. Sho had
heard ho had died when sho was an
infant ut Venice; and Ida Bcncli, her
mother, had como to Florence, poor
and hcart-brollcn, to learn how to sup
port herself and her child. No ono
knew more than that fact about the
pale, beautiful woman. Shc was
alone with her child, and worked hard
at her needle to support both. Sho
was, however, evidently of gentle
birth. though she never alluded TO the
past: and was as simple and unprc-
tending as if she had always lived by
tho labor Of her own hal.ds. But
evidently there had been a great sor
row in her life, and it was ono she
never got over. She YVES always sad,
and somewhat stern.
They lived on the ground floor of q
little villa near Florence, and the
flowers they cultivated wcre sold by
Drodata.
Count Lindau had been staying at
nclghboring villa, and it was during
his walks he had met Drodata.
She used to 80 often to sec the lady
at whose villa he was staying, and af:
ter few meetings he told her he
| loved her. Drotlata brought him to
her mother, and Ida Bencli gave her
consent to their marriage. She told
him there was no disparity in birth
between them, and that the secret of
her life should be made known to him
ON the day Of the marriage; till then
she wished the engagement to be a Sc
crct. Not even Carlo Malaspina.
though he was so q friend, knew of it.
Now, as he took poor Drodata
home, he first became aware of it. 1t
was fortunate for Lindau that Carlo
could not leave the poor girl, or the
Cascine of Florence would have been
disturbed by d summary act of ven.
geancc. When they arrived at the
yilla, poor Drodata dragged herself
up to her room.
"Tell mamma" sho said, as the
tears streamed dewn her face.
Ida Beneli listened with set lips and
kindling eyes. clio shall not marry
the English girl" she said; cher faith
or shall know what traitor he is"
She went up stairs, kissed the poor
tcar;stained cheek Of her girl. and
went down again. "Come with mo,
Carlo" she said.
Mr.. Halifax was at dinner when nc
was told he was wanted.
h,Tho is it7"
ga lady. She says she will wait"
"Who is in the drawing-rcom?
"Maud is there" said Miss Halifax.
''She said she would have tea there
instead Of dining with u.s."
When Mr.. Halifax had finished, he
went to tho drawing-room. The lights
had not been lit.
He heard his daughters voice con-
vcrsing with some one; and as his
eyes became accustomed to tho gloom
he saw o tail, slight form leaning over
her couch.
"f hear you wanted mo-" he said, po-
litely. "How can I serve madanle2'
At that moment tho waiter camo in.
and tho light fell on Ida's face"
"Good Heavcnl' said Mr.. Halifax.
ida uavc the waves given up the
dead ?"
"Is it you-you-you,2" and the
poor woman fell at his feet.
"What is the matter, papa?" said
Maud, sobbing. There was good
deal of confusion at first, but finally
Ida was restored to her senses, and
then A1r. Halifax explained, and Ida
explained.
lie had married Ida Contarini at
Venice twenty years before. A year
after their marriage, just before the
birth of her child, Ida1s confessor so
filled her with fears for her own soul
and that of the child about to be born
that tho poor woman almost lost her
senses. She determined to- fly, and
leave no trace by which she could bo
recalled. She threw her veil and
mantle out Of her gondola, and, dis
guised in an ecclesiastical costume,
left Venice. There was rumor that
she had committed suicide. This was
industriously circulated by the priest,
and poor Mr.. Halifax left Venice,
miserable, and convinced that he was
a widower. Two years aftcrward, to
please his sister, he married a young
English girl, who died in giving birth
to Maud. He thought there was a
curse upon him, that all be loved
should thds bo taken. He consigned
Maud TO his sister, aud spent years in
travelling in Egypt, India, China,
Greece, Syria every where but Italy
Until he had been summoned home
on account Of Maud's health. On
growing up Maud had shown signs of
great dolicaoy. For the last two
years-she was now seventeen (Dro,
data was nineteen, but, from her
health and blood, looked as young, if
|inot younger, than her sister)Sshe
had been 10 italy, She had reeained
q little strength at Florence, had gone
out . little into society. and had mot
Count Ltndau. IG was we'll Known
that abe was q rich heiress; he had
proposed and becn accepted.
Ms Halifax, fsom the moment he
had returned to Italy, had become
sfmore fnaIsncboly and gloomy tisan
evsra he seemed haunted by bitter
4 and itndvffiae fifgs5Iof ofjes. He fsfkt ti,af