The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-02-12
! [From Appleton's Journal.]
HUGH'S VENDETTA.
a STORY IN FOUR CHAPTERS
BY CHRISTIAN REID.
AUTHOR OF "vALERIE AYLMER," "
MOTION HOUSE." MABEL LEE"
ETC, ETC,
CHAPTER II,

A gray, lowering SKY 0Ferhead'
the earth soaked with rain under
meath, and general air of dreari-
ness and dampness everywhere,
was what met the eye on a chill,
November. afternoon, three weeks
after Roland Tyrrell's visit to the
Churchill cottage. For a week
Ridgetord had suffered from rains
such as, had not been known within
generations, and in the wake of The
rains had followed a most disastrous
flood. Houses had been swept
away, lives had been lost, and prop
erty to the amount of millions
damaged by the turbulent violence
Of a stream just beyond the town
the fewes.te hat tarhed
it's mills and made its wealth, now
transformed from a slave into q ty'
rant, At last, one afternoon, how
ever, the windows of heaven seemed
to have closed, the sqllen clouds
still hung heavy and dark, but the
rain had ceased for the first time in
eight days; and arrayed in a water
proof-provided also with a large
umbrella la-Margaret Churchill took
advantage of the lull to set forth
for some necessary domestic pur-
chases.
At first she thought that she
would not go far into hidgeford,
but would make her purchases at
some of the suburban shops that
lined the way: But We have most
of Us known the unsatisfactory
character of suburban shops, and
Margaret, finding exercise pleasant
after her weeks confinement in the
house, could not make up her mind
to stop short of the establishments
where she usually dealt. Walking
on, therefore, she soon found her
self in the heart Of the town, jost-
ling among a throng Of people on
the wet pavements, and finally
across a familiar counter to
a familiar dealer in teas and other
groceries. The man knew her well,
and likedher bright face, as every
one did who came in contact with
it; so, while he took down her or.
ders, and tied up her bundles, he
descanted freely and fully on the
great Ridgeford topic-the terrible
and all-absorbing flood. Despite
the papers, and despite Hugh, Mar
garet had scarcely appreciated the
awful desolation which had been
wrought, until it was brought home
to her by the many minute particu.
'Iars-the personal hardships and
losses--that go to make up the full
sum of such a public calamity
These were poured upon her now in
such stream that it was only when
a partial lull IN the garruity of hel
informant came, that she was able
to take up her bundles and prepare
to leave the shop. As she was il
the act of doing so, the proprietor
stepped from behind the counter tt
say, by way of adieu:
IF you have seen nothing of tn
food, Miss Churchill, it would b,
worth your while to take a look a
it. You are hardly likely eyer tt
see such another-at least, the Lor'
preserve us from its like in Ridge
ford again! Ifsyou 60 home b,
Light Street-it won't take yoj
very much out of your Way-yo,
can get tolerable view of tn
stream and the houses that ar
under water" ~ .t.... . ... ~.
Margaret thanked him, and sal
that she thought she would 60 hom
by Light Street. She almos
changed her mind, however, whe
lshe came out and saw how threat
|ening the clouds were; but, on cor
sideFation, she found it impossibl
to resist the temptation of seein
the food, now that it was at it
Height, So el9tching her umbrell
firmly she turned her steps towar
Light Street. It Was very much a
the dealer'in teas and other grocer
les had told her. From this. rattle
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