The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-12-08
"Then you accept the wager7" cried

Harriet Gosnold before st. Valentines,
and pocket your ten hundred"
ave shall see Your hand on the bet r
and over the table the two men joined
hands, and drank 10 the wager that was
doomed to wreck more than one life.
aJourdan. you must hate Harriet Cos
mold 2" said Noble.
sand I loved her once"
"a Tilted lover then behold"
ayes, Tilted; but I am going to have my
revenge now!' exclaimed Jourdan with
a flushed face. II cannot tell how I hate
that proud Virginia girl. She has Tilted
me once too often, gentlemen-once too
often !"
Asd the passion of the handsome speaker
was terrible.
~ may learn to love her." said Budd
Noble.
"If you admire women, you WILL" was
the reply. "Before St. Valentines; do not
forget, Noble. Faverley and I will be
there. 1 would sooner see that woman
chez ted at the altar than stand among the
Saints in glory. Twill live to tell her that
che has Tilted Wartop Jourdan once too
often !"
Half an hour later the wine-parlor was
deserted, and the lights were out.
The three men have retired to one of the
grand hotels OF the city. two to sleep, the
third to pace bis room with feverish e1-
element
"Four years ago, this lucky night, I first
met you, Harriet Gosnold," he said, II loved
you, Harriet as man seldom loves womanj
but you cruelty Tilted me. Time passed;
you appeared repentant, and, loving you
still, I forgave. At your side again, my
love seemed to increase tenfold; but you
threw me aside again. Then began to
hate. Oh, God how hate you now
All! Harriet Gosnold, my revenge will be
terrible before the flowers bloom again. You
have Tilted me once loo often, my Virginia
qneen. You will curse the day of your
BIRTH"
His words seemed to calm his passioned
spirit, for he retired, and soon fell into a
deep sleep.
But into the watches of the night he car
ried his thoughts Of triumph; for, in &
dream. his lips murmnred:
"Onca Too often, Harriet Gosnold. Once
too often. says the wronged heart"
The following day Budd Noble de-
stroyed al the letters that might disclos.
his true identity, purchased new clothes
for on his linen were the initials of B. N.
and started for Richmond.
"You shall hear from me, e,"were his part
ing words 10 Jourdan and Faverley on the
wharf. II think tie affair will come of
about Christmas; but I will let yon know
in time"
Then he left them and waved last
farewell from the dsck of the noble ship.
Budd Noble was going to the Virginis
home to win, by tha basest deception, three
things-a wonlan's love. wolnan's hand
and goodly SUN Of gold
The rich Autumn passed away, and thu
snowe Of December covered the roofs, lawns
and walks Of one of the f'sirest estates ir
the Old Dominion.
Within the magnificent mansion that gracse
the far trending estate, the owner sat in hi
great armchair near the window that look
ed out upon the river, that flowed by Vir
ginia's capital.>
He was an old man whose hair wa.
white, long, and silken.
While thus he sat beautiful woman en-
tered and approached him.
"Father," she said softly. and he started
to turn upon her with smile.
II am glad that you have come" be said
"To-night, Harriet you will be happy. HI
is coming back"
The woman blushed and looked faire
THAI ever.
"And tomorrow the blessed day of th'
nativity, You become a wife. Harriet,
am glad that have lived to see this day
When every one said that he slept in th'
sea, you put your trust in the goodness O.
God and said "nor You declared that h
would come back and claim you; and fo
your goodness, Harriet, and for your holy
love and his, the insatate sea for once CAV,
up the living, and fair winds brought hin
to Writhmoor again. Harriet who is com
ing from ths North Tomorrow
several of Marmadukes friends," sh
answered "Alnong them, Wartop Jour
dam"
The old man looked at his child-the on
ly one ever born to him, and she the frui
of third marriage.
"Wartop Jourdan whom you orce re
jected 2"
ayes, father; but am sure that we arr
friends" she answered quickly.
II never liked him, Harriet I dom
know why" he said slowly. ale is talent
ed; but I believe he can dissimulate;
knew his father, and though We wer
schoolmates, never could like him. Blu
that he his coming to see you married
will welcome him. l will welcome every
body for Malmaduke's sake and yours"
The beautiful woman did not reply, for {
servant announced visitor, and the ole
man was alone again.
A few moments later Harriet Gosnolt
returned, and the octogenarian welcomed
the handsome young lnan who accompanied
her. He called him Marmaduke, ant
talked in a rapid strain about Richmond
the fresh SHOWS, the days of his youth
everything.
The man whom he called Marmaduk
was none other than Budd Noble.
Grandly but wickedly, for almost three