The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-03-05
ABBEVILLE S. c., WEDNESDAY,. MARCH o. 1873
He knows that he has been some

Hc KNOWS That ne has Deen some
thing to her. Her face Is turned irvll
him, but he sna'"hes one white hani
and bends toward her, saying almcs
ferccly:
"You d. not answer me. Yo,
mustr'
II must?"
How royalty the dainty head lifted
and how clear and sorrowful are th'
eyes that once dropped beneath hi
own.
"Forgive me, Barbara, and answe
me. l love you. Forget the pas
and let us be happy"
The girls dreamy gaze was fxet
upon the old gateway with an ex
preston of half regret for the day
that will never come brck. Through
her brain drifts the memory Of tha
night at the gate three years ago
and she turned to him sadly:
"You deceived me once, I canno
trust you again"
Barbara! Barbaral You dom
know what you say !"
The same familiar voice, and h.
takes her face between his warm
strong hands, in the old fashion. H,
realizes now that his power over her
is gone, because she does not flush
and tremble and drop her eyes with
that shy, conscious smile of yore
"You may repent this, Barbara, >
dropping his face with GESTURE of dis.
pair.
She turns to him and says quietly
"Louis North, no man can deceive
me twice. AS 10 your condition on
Thursday night, you owe an apology
to yourself rather than me. I may
cherish little regard for the man |
once knew, but it is not love. I
think of him as one dead. You have
no place in my regard, and remem'
ber, when say goodbye this time
it is without shadow Of pain or re.
gret.'
"And this is my answer?"
"It is"
Another moment and she is alone.
While she fingers there in the shad-
ow, sound Of voices fall upon Ter
ear, and, presently, she recognizes
her brother Clare's accent as he says :
you'll find her on the front veran-
da. Grant, I'm going up to read.
Goodnight"
"Good-night." This last in apleas-
ant, manly voice, and Barbara turns
to respond to his gro citing.
A man some FIVE years the senior
of North. A plain, rugged face, that
has not North's sll1cn curls orfiowing
chestnut beard to beautify it; but a
face that one would instinctively
tur, to for help and guidance.
care you i'll, Barbara, or only seri-
Gus? ?" he asked, noticing her pale
face.
"a little serious, I think, but 1
shall be better now thai you arc here.
for you always put me in good hu-
NOR"
Il am glad to hear you say that,
Barbara" he says, with sudden
carncstncss, as lays his hand over the
slender one that rests On the veranda
railing.
Her heart beats little faster, and
a faint scarlet breaks over the white
on her cheek, beneath his kind strong
eyes.
81 care more for you than you
think" he continues. 81 love you
and respect you more than any other
woman living. l have seen no one
since my mother died who so COM
pletely realizes my idea of true wo-
manhood as you. 1 am aware that
you might make a moro brilliant
match, but consider that l have q
right to hear my fate from your lips" I"
He smiles little, but sobers almost
instantly, for he is deeply in earnest,
and his face grows pale as he awaits
her answer.
81 can have but one answer" bend
ing her head slightly before him. and
holding out both white hands. 1 be-
lieve in you"
His warm, steady hand closed firm
ly over hers, and he bends to kiss the
curving mouth gravcly, teuderly and
respectfully.
1t is so unlike North's fierce WOO.
ing
Barbara brcathes sigh Of infinite
rest and peace, and turns into her
new path with a sense Of security
and great peace.