The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-12-04
Grace Stanley's Decision.

81 dare say, Oracle, you have by
this time, made up your mind as tt
what you propose doing?" said Mrs
Manning, in half doubtful manner
gliding into her neice's chamber ant
lfurtively casting her eyes over. itt
rich and delicate appointments.
eyes, auntie, I believe l have" re
turned the young girl, looking ur
hastily from just-fnished note or
her escritoire, and rising to offel
some courtesy TO her aunt.
"And pray what is it? said Mrs
Manning peering searchingly int
the tender blue eyes Of her neice, and
|evoking from her a treacberous blush
|"You have. at least, taken long
enough to come to conclusion"
Grace turned away to avoid the
gaze Of Mrs. Manning. and a happy
couplet recurring TO her memory, she
smiled pleasantly under the deepening
blush, and gaily sang:
"And of the choice who can doubt,
OF tents. with love or.thrones without
a frown' usurpcd the questioning
expl ession on Mrs. Mauning's coun
tenance, aud, reddening with anger
she said.
"And so I am answered 2" "You
will marry Oscar Howard ?"
"That is my intention, aunt said
Grace, firmly. 's5iy
"And will throw away all chances
for All alliance with William DuncanH
"Without doubt, auntie." -
s.And per consequohce-" said
Mrs. Manning, a cold, sar castle sneer
distorting the symmetry Of her Beau
liful lips.
But Grace would not allow her
aunt to finish her sentence.
"Must arrange at once. to seek
other shelter thar my uncle's root
| feel know this"
For moment look of tenderness
swept over the face, of her fashiona.
ble, world loving woman. A sudden
rush of recollection brought before
her the death-bed of her only sister
and the words with she committed to
her the charge of her only child---a
little cherub of two years, that hid
i its faxen ri.sglets on auntie's bosom
and wept herself sick when they
shut up pretty mamma in the box.
All the winning graceful ness, al
the tender affection uf this child's
childhood and youth came up before
her-hcart's vision, and she doubted
whether her own conscience woulc
Justify her, or whether her owr
happiness would be materially incrcas
ed by proceeding harshly against he
neice. But the world came in will
its cruel cynicism; she had neve
loved, herself; but she was rich ant
evied, and to place her pennies
neice in the same position, would, il
her estimation, be fulfilling all the re
requirements Of her adoption.
And then the voice Of her dyinI
sister stole up like broken chords G
sweet music through her soul:
"If my little girl should live to b
a woman, do not force her heart, En-
, lily. Do not let her be sacrificed i
marriage to any consideration, bu
, the holy one, which should rule in th
bridal. l married q poor mann
family discarded me for it-but l wa
happy; and now I am going to NEE
the husband of my love, where ma
riage is eternal
, The trown, fringed lids closed owe
the violet eyes, the pale lips mu
INJURED:
"Lord, Jesus, receive-my-spirit
A seraphic brightness flashed owe
the pale face, and the spirit Of NJ
p, rian Stanley had joined its love.
j. Mrs. Manning remembered all thi
y and, closing her eyes against her r
d bellious niece for a few moments, s,
holding communion. with her ow
, soul. It was over. She got up an
J, without a word, left the room, return
: ing almost Immediately.
n s'If it must be-" sho said, cool
"hasten your preparations" layir
before her neice a we!l-flled port
Of mOnnaie. -..--
RS Thank you, aunt" said Grace, d
cidedly; returning tho pocket. boz
to her aunt, II snal! not need the co
tents of this In the station that
= shall fill, as the wife Of morchan
clerk, | shall not need a costly war
robe, and if you will permit, what
have already will answer all my pl
eF poses. Under the circumstances,
r,pnnt thinE of occaptintr n ripr