The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-02-19
[From Appleton's Journal.]
HUGH'S VENDETTA.
4 STORY IN FOUR CHAPTERS.
BY CHRISTIAN REID.
A1rTuoR OF "vALERIE AYLMER,"
"MoR1ON HOUSE." MABEL LEE"
ETC, ETC.
BY. CHRISTIAN REID.
CHAPTER III.

When Margaret woke the mex
morning, she found herself alone III
the room-a bright fire burning on
the hearth, and a cloudy apology
for daylight streaming in. 1t re-
Iouired several minutes for her tc
/ remember where she was; but then
lit all came back with rush, and
rising, she walked across the floor
land drew back the blind OF the
window. 1t mad ceased to rain
but the terrible ravages OF the
storm were evident on every side,
and she could not help thinking
that the waters of the deluge, aba
ting from the face of the earth, may
have presented much such a seem
ling as the scene on which she gazed,
AS she still looked, she saw Tyrrel!
striding along through the mud
and water toward the house; and:
turning when he entered, she asked
at once where he had been.
"To find some means of getting
YOU home," lie answered. t'It was
rather difficult, for the rain last
night seems to have inundated the
brains of all Ridgeford, and vehi-
cles are in demand for the people
escaping from the neighborhood OF
the flood. A carriage will be here
| in a few minutes, however.
lie looked so pale and haggard, d,
as the morning light streamed over
his face, that she was suddenly
stricken with remorse to think how
he had been working for her while
she slept. ... .
"How has the rain Of last night
affected you, Mr.. Tyrrell - she
asked. r.. 81
"It has made something very
like a ruined man of me-" he an
swered. "But 1 think very little
too little, perhaps-of that. I have
only myself to care for, you know;
and when one stands alone, no blow
of Fortune can be very severe. y
Margaret was not by any means
sure of this, but she did not contra
dict him. She only glanced up with
a smile, and said:
"Shall I not make you some tea?
You look so tired.'
His face frightened by flash.
eyes, he said eagerly. Yes, if
you will be so kind" .ns
So she set to work in her chccry
way-a way that had frightened
her own home like a sunbeam for
twenty-five years-and soon had
the tea ready-such tea as MIR. Tyr
rell was not in the habit, nor, in
deed, capable, of. making for HIM
self. He took it from her hand as
if it had been the veritable nectar
of the gods; and, in truth, the
poor fellow needed it badly.
had taken q more powerful stimu-
liant at an earlier hour, but, to
revive jaded energies and tired
faculties, there is no power in
brandy to equal that which turks
in one strong cup drawn from the
fragrant Chinese herb.
Befor they had finished their
tmpromptu collation-for Margaret
sat down to bear him company,
not so much because she wanted
anything, as because she knew by
instinct that the sight of her was
pleasant to his eyes-the carriage,
which had been ordered, drove up
to the door. Miss Churchill rose
and put on her waterproof, draw
ing the hood over her hatless head,
and then, since this completed her
preparations for departure, turned
to Tyrrell.
elbow can I thank you for all
your kindness ?" she said to him in
a low voice. "W natrwould have
become of me if YOU had not found
and sheltered me? Believe me, !
shall never forget it. It''-she hes
itated a momen then went ON
with a crimson cheek-''it has, il
possible, made m regret still NOR,
deeply the manner in which yo,'
were received when you came on
your GRAND of kindness to our
house a month ago."
"You should know better than
to talk like this," he said, reproach.
fully. "kiuduess-kindness to you
1t has been the greatest happiness
that Fate ever gave to me, and one
on the memory of which I shal
live for months and years to come.
He had taken, by this time, thu
small, ungloved hand which sh'
offered him, and, holding it now
gazcd with passionate wisttulnes
into her face sMargaret,'' he aaie
hoarsely," 'for the last time, tin
very last time, let me ask is there
can there be, no hope for me 2"
She looked at him, and he rca'
his answer in her sorrowful eyes
J Then, after minute:
"Why DO you embitter our part
ling like this2" she asked, sadly
::eYou know we are not likely eve
to meet again. Why not let us sa
farewell as friends; or, if not a
friends, at least as acquaintance
who have met and liked each othe
sincerely p