The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-09-16

Il LOnlSn HleDC.-N LII announcer u0meut
Janet was by my side, futtering with
anxious solicitude. He took hei
hands in his, and, turning her to the
cruel light, studied intcntly che fair
young face which not even a. nights
sleepless watching could mako less
than freshly lovely. "Janet, my ia,
net, do you love this man? Is your
true heart bound up in him, my girl
Alas alas," he added, as, blushing
and sobbing 20 grandpapa!" !" she hid
her pure young face in his bosom.
He held it there, and kissed the
bright brown curls in a passion of
fierce tenderness. Then he turned to
me:
II forgive you this once, for the
~ forgiveyou this once, for the sake
of my girl, who, God pity her loves
you. But, mind you, only this once
for not even You shall play fast with
my darling. When once her name is
dropped between US, Master Tedd, it
is dropped forever. I know the Har.
risons; they are treacherous and de.
ceitful. Who plays with them plays
a losing game. Let me warn you in
time"
He shook fearfully, as with ague. I
offered to support him, fearing that he
would fall, but he rcpulsed me and
led Janet away. I could bear him
muttering to her Of "Poor girl, my
Janet!" And then he kissed her,
weeping. How he loyed that girl!
When / went back to the college
town, the Harrisons were already es
tablished there. Bert and [ were
classmates. He took me to sec Ros.
alind, and she straightway cast the
old fatal spell over ME. l loved her
passionately when I was with her
but wien l was away I longed for
Janet. I longed to hear Janet's
voice, to feel the touch of her hand
1 thought of Rosalind by day, but
dreamed Of Old Janet by night. l
had been at school only few weeks,
when q percmptory summons came
bidding me home. The message was
given in such terms that 1 feared Sc
rious illness was at the bottom Of it.
and fled homeward like the wind
Janet was not in sight. A ssrvant
led me up to my grandfather's room
Ho was sitting alone, q majestic gray
figure, by the table. I hastened for.
ward to greet him, but he suddenly
stretched out his hand and repulsed
me with gesture SO stern, q look SO
pathetic and dignifed, that 1 stood as
| if rooted to the floor.
"Don't speak don't touch me! J" he
said, "until you have read that, and
explained it," lie pointed with a
long, lean finger to an open letter on
the table.
took it up; it was the history OF
my intercourse with Rosalind Harri-
son from beginning to end-tcrribly
precise; terribly true! I felt the
blood surging hot and dark into my
face under those piercing, needle-like
gray eyes that watched me as read
the horrible treachery.
"Is it true ?" my grandfather ask
cd; but I could not reply. ''Is it
true, sir?" persisted the pitiless voice;
and then 1 forced myself 10 look up.
at is true, in part, I am afraid.
But, 0, grandfather for PHYS sake,
listen to me let me speak one word
for myself. I am not so wholly base,
or TO blame, as this says -"
"Stopl" my grandfather cried. 81
will not hear another word. The
one fact that I wanted to be assured
of beforeI condemned you, is true.
You have confessed it. You have
been false to my Janet. janet ia
nct!" The pathetic old voice, break
ing out into this strange, sad cry,
rung through the lonely passages and
reached her, wherever she was. She
flew into tho room, and, bending over
i him, without look at me, kissed bis
white hair and withered cheeks,
soothing him tenderly.
"Janet, my girl-my brave girl!
it's all true. You and are left to
love each other alone, Janet" he said,
clinging to her hands:
"And We are quite happy, grandpa
pa," answered her sweet, clear voice; !;
''quito happy, you and 1! Cheer up
oheor IN dada ~
I stood apart, listening, as if on the ;
other side of a great gulf: Neither OF
them looked at me.
"Forgive mel I" Ipleaded, for once
in bumbleness. "If you are thus de-
termined 10 cast me out OF your
hearts, let me, at least, hear you say
that you forgive me before CO."
"Why should we bear enmity
against stranger, Janet ?" said my
grandfather with cruel distinctness.
SLet him 20 in peace. Those whom
he took in place Of US to be his friends
have always played the part OF Judas
and betrayed him." ....
What could I say? For it was
Burt Harrison's handthat, unskilfulIy
disguised, had penned that miserable
epistle in the hope of forever separat-
ing me from Janet Fentonsleigh. Was
be not Jndas? So l left thca with
out another word. And at that last
hour I knew the truth. My grand
father had never cared for me except
for Janet's sake, and when nc fancled
that I had ceased to love her, ne
hated mo.
! felt like q ruined man-stunned'
reeling-as I stepped out into the
open air. A great blank suddenly
yawncd in my life. I had always de,
pended on Janet's love. Whether L
~ hnt