The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-09-14
through the floor.

. "Stop" she said, dctainng Anni
, by hold on her arm, her face quit
, white and proud again. OF course
, can depend upon it by Wednesday p
EYES. III run around before, per
haps. Must you go? You know
} how much have to tell you. Wei
, then, good night
Laura had not worn her veil. The
, tears were running down her checks
as she hastily descended the steps o
: the palacc-lille stairs and Bart Hay
f den, who happened to to be there
saw them. Oh! the humiliation tx
that proud spirit! She threw a half
defiant glance at the handsome, pity
ing face; then, with gesture that re
PEELED him, for he had come towarc
her, she almost flew down the street
nor hardly drew breath till she was
at home.
How drcary and mcagre it all look.
ed the few cheap dishes, the scanty
table cloth. the half covered floor, the
faded wall paper, chintz on chairs and
lounge.
I'm dreadful tired, mamma; lot
me lie down." she cried in suppress
ed voice, and threw herself ON the
crcaking old lounge.
"What's the matter, my darling!
[ sce-sho didn't pay you of course
and not a stick OF wood in the house
Oh! the wickcdncss of those who arc
rich. l thought"
A loud rap Laura hid her face.
Her mother answered the call, and in
strode Bart Hayden almost defantly
"At least you will welcome me, Mrs.
Stctson," he said, the old, fine ring in
his voice.
Laura sat up cold and proud again
"Anne sent this by me-" he said,
and laid sealed envelope. on tho ta-
ble.
"When did you get home p" asked,
Mrs. Stctson, US soon as she had rc-
covered from her surprise.
"Only few hours ago." was Bart's
reply. ID brought cousin Jacks wife
with me; she was ordered home for
health, and Jack couldn't leave, so I
took Matte in Charge. Poor grill m
afraid home is not going to help her
much, or, indeed, anythinSelsc."
Laura made an almost impcrccbtible
movement. She was 1ar from cold
now; her very temples burned.
NNcll good night" he said, steal
ing glance ut Laura, as he arose.
after answering Mrs. Stetson's inqni-
RIGS. pvc done my crrand, and Mrs,
Stctson, you at least will let me come
sometimes and talk with you, won't
you, for the sake Of old timcs2"
The mothers reprovins eyes wcrc
fastened upon Laura. What did tho
girl mean by acting this way.
"'To be sufc!' - was her quick an,
swcr, eff you viii conc to SO humble
Il place. You sec how thu wheel. has
gouc around with us. Poor Mr.. Stct-
son-"' aud the widow could get nc
=! further.
eyes, rhcard," he said pityingly,
long ago, Annie wrote me. But |
am. not one Of the fckle kind Mrs
StctSon'"
This was said with q rcproacLful
Slanceat Laura.
"Good night, he said, the next min
ute and bowed to both women.
lie had reached the door, when q
faint voice called
"Brl!'
Yes it was Laura's eager cry Sire
V as ashamed Of what She had done
and heartily repcnted.
lie came back with half supI resscG
e1gcrncss in his manner, his : lance
weary, but anxious.
81 was just little rude tonight
she said, looking dangerously beauti
full in her humility. please forgive
it,"
"Indccd I WILL" and he seized hcl
petty hand, his eyes radiant. Il under
stanl-oh yes! 1 qnite understand
were always such sensitive little
creature! So you forgive me, ell ?
he blundcrcd.
::It WAS you who were to forgive
me, I believe" said Laura demurcly
her lips quivcring, ready to cry ant
laugh too.
Mrs. Stetson, will you allow mo tc
whiSpcr?" said straightforward Bart
"Ccrtainly?'' said the old lady, hcl
heart beating quicker. What was
going to happen? Had poverty done
its worst for them. Was there in
decd, bright hope for the future?
! Bart put his tall shining bears close
to Laura's ear, and the second time
said the mystic words, that had sc
long fingered in her memory.
Laura. did. not repulse him. III
felt then that her heart belonged t.
him, that it had never gone out &
any other.
So it happened that after that even
ing, Bart Hayden kept calling, ane
that the widow invariably left thu
two younger people together; and th'
end Of it was, u brilliant wedding ii
less than year,
St. Louis has struck ont. in ancv
direction to reach salt water. lie
latest project is to build a cana
from the Tennessee River to th'
Georgia, seaboard. The restless
ness of "the future great city," ant