The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-02-18
[ shall not want it."
"Not want it?-Arthur?"


He spoke solemnly, with man.
illness that was strong and reliant.
And the wife saw whence had
come the great warmth to her heart
saw it in the pure cheek, and in
the clear eye, as she had caught it
in the sweet breath.
"Arthur = my husband she
whispered, as though hardly daring
to trust her own senses, ''is it true
do you mean-forever?"
"While T live, darling, God Civ
ing my strength and reason"
Fanny was upon the opposite side
of the table. She tried to speak,
but her voice failed her. She turn
ed white-then she pressed her
hand for an instant upon her heart,
and then, as the crimson food once
more bounded on its course, she
covered her face, and sank down,
weeping like a child.
Arthur was by her side in mo
mcnt.
"Fanny! - my wife what is
| it ?"
She looked up and caught his
startled gaze through her tears.
With a quick movement she threw
her arms around his neck, and pill
lowed her head upon his bosom.
go, Arthur !-bless you! bless
you! I could die for JOY if I did
not feel that could find more hap
Ipiness in living now for you!''
Here was a new revelation. Ar
thur Gravely now learned that his
sweet wife had suffered without
daring to complain-hoN the worm
had gnawed at her heart; saw it all
the more clearly because he saw in
this present time her surprising
joy and ecstacy.
Not many words were spoken.
This was not the time for such a
heart-moving theme. And now, as
they eat the meal, Arthur told of
his trip to the distant city. 4
After dinner Arthur went to car
ry a budget to a nelghbor, and
when left alone, Fanny sat down
again and cried for joy. And so
Mr.. Vanderlain found her. He had
stopped in passing to do an errand.
"AIrs. Gravely! What has hap
pened? What is wrong?'
"Wrong? ?" she repeated, looking
up. 30, sir, it is for joy I am cry
ing
And then she told him the source
Of the new happiness that had open
ed to her.
Mr.. Vanderlain listened, and af-
ter a deal Of thought he slowly said,
with his hand upon Fanny's fair
head,-
"Dear child, you may rejoice
without fear. If Arthur has pledged
his honor to this new life, be sure
he will keep the faith"
Most of the afternoon Arthur
spent at the bank; and as he sat at
the table in the private office wait
ing for the banker, a feeling of
sadness and regret came upon him.
It would be hard to leave the old
place, and it might be long, long
time before he could find another
so pleasant.
twas towards evening when Mr..
Vanderlain came in, looking flush
ed and self-satisfed.
"I have kept you waiting, Ar
thur, but I have been busy. l have
made most important change in
my programme"
"Ah! And then you are not 60
ing away?"
"Yes-I shall 60 to Europe; but
I shall not give up my banking bu-
siness. I have found a new man
one safe, reliable, and competent
who, I think, will take my business
while am absent
"Mr. Vanderlain," cried the
young man, frankly, 81 am glad Of
this, tor / know I shall be able to
persuade you to let me keep my
place in your employ"
The banker shook his head.
Arthur trembled, and started to
speak.
"Tut, tut-notyour present place,
Arthur. Know that you are my
new man. If you will take charge
of mybusiness, I shall not let it go
from me; and I shall leave it in
your hands, knowing that both it
and you will prosper. What say
you?"
"NIr. Vanderlain !"
"Ah! my boy, I have seen your
wife. I found her crying for joy.
Aud when she told me whence her
Joy came, l knew there was Joy tor
me also. TO the neac man L give
nv entire confidence, and in his
hands fear not to trust my name
and my honor.
1t was Arthur Gravely's turn
now to weep; and he could no more
help it than he could have helped
the great flood of peace and bless
edness that flowed in upon lis
heart.
"NIy dear boy said the banker,
afterwards, 81 did not speak to you
in the other times as perhaps l
ON oht. knew how Won treated