The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-10-05


quaint old streets after-an evening
spent with Lettice, without talking OF
her, and Of tho home she made so
Upright and happy. But when we! en-
tered our own silent room we both
hesitated, as if unwilling to separate
7 so. .-
"Max," began Frank at last, stoop-
ing down to push spill into the
smouldering fire, "this house seems
dreary enough to return even with
you. What will it seem, 1 wonder,
when you are gone?'' -. .-a- ..-.
at depends on who shall live here
then, 'car fellow" l ans wered, mo
house where you and Lettice live
could be dreary in any way" -
! : 1<could see the scarlet rush toto his
face even before he lighted the gas.
Then Tic turned to Eme with Joyous.
Feyes; and leaning on the chimney
piece asked me laughingly when l
would come back and prove that for
myself.
=. will ,come," Isaid, quite, cheer
fully, '"in-let me see-in twenty
years, perhaps"
ooh, nonsense, Max" he cried, in
| his quick earnestness unconsclously
laying one hand upon my arm; e'syou
will come for my wedding"
"For your wcdding?" [ echoed, as
if the words spoken so simply had be-
wildered me. Frank, does she really.
love you?"
"Why, Max, old fellow, I never saw
yoh so nervous before. Arc you afraid
that am deceiving mysclf-or that
she is dcceiving me ?" .,nl.
81. ANo-never afraid of that. You
know she loves you, Frank p
ayes, Max, l know it,"
,"Then l will come-unless you mar
ry within ten years time
|, .. Franks. whistle Of astonishm ent
broke into hearty laugh. IA nice
little waiting time you allow us. Max.
We shall certainly have had leisure to
think it we'll oyer" .t... ....,.. n -,
,", "If you don't marry until then," |
went on. laughing too, II will come.
If you do, you must have your big
brother represented and will como
to you for holiday in ten years
time" 81 -'
"Ten years" mused Frank "what
a weary time to look On to, unless one
is anticipating happy future" ...
+, Day after day, until the last hour
came, had 1 shrunk from bidding fare
we'll 20 Lettice.. Then Just went to
her, as I had gone many and many
time before, standing and chatting idly
in the pretty room where we had often
been SO gay together.
"If. frank is to drive here for you in
time TO catch the express, you allow
us a very short time indeed" SAID
Mr.. Oldfcld.
aAnd yet it is long goodbye"
added Lettice, jestingly 'you are not
coming home for a long, long time, are
you. Max?" ,..a..t,L. =.
''' Frank apd I have made an, impor-
tant, arrangement about that ! an.
swered, trying to jest too, because |
fancied she; woan understand what he
had asked me to do. II am going to
stay ten years unless he wants me-
IF he does not want you, you pre-
fer staying out thcrc ?"
ayes. What prospect is there Of
any one else wanting mes"'ni': r -
sn'"I suppose none," she answered
quietly, ''as you say so but We shall,
| be glad to see you when you return.
Not that you will care for that either
for you care for nothing, you know,
except fortunizing your life" .
Her words, in their quiet, simple
scorn, stabbed me to the heart.
..sThat is wide word, Lettice," l
said, "and word which even yet |
have not fathomed."
@But you expect to do so in Mel
bourne?''
t. II hope so" '.'..
u With an odd little laugh she chang
ed the subject and very soon Frank
drove up to the gate. Mr.. Old6eld and
Amy went out and stood beside the
dogcart, talking to him, while fol-:
lowed more slowly. Lettice came
with me, and stood q minute under the
bare old lime-tree, with the winter
sunshine ,Sn, her bright young fate.,
And IIbokipg down upon herT
knew that this picture would dwell in
nv heart through all my lonely life.
Her jesting scorn was all gone now /;
only her eyes were q little puzzled,
and a little sad. .-...'..
f "You will be quite happy, Max"
she said, "with that happiness which
makes others happy too."
"Tell ms how, Lettice," I cried, the
strong and passionatelove ofmy heart
trembling in my voice. Tell me how
\ to win this happiness" ~.'it ."' .'.
"I cannot,". she answered, softly.
II cannot teach you what you know
80 WELL" ~.';'.'t d.. h.''. "' .
aLetticc," I said, "my one dearest
friend, this is the last moment. Give
me some few words. Of help to take
with me-as q sister won d have given
them to me-" ,; -. .,"+F --,
Very. softly, while her clear, sweet
eyes looked braveIy into mine, she
| whispered the, little verse which has
| been ever. with me since, and has
8 lhelped me often, as her voice could
help me in those far off-days. H.. ="
| There is cross in every lot, ': "'''
H." And an.earnest need of prayer;
| But lowly heart that leans on God,
T Is happy everywhere 1..-.,"
From the gate 1 looked back wist
| r II l., ,,,haro eba. etill atnod undaf