The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-06-23

| cousin, curing q ElSlG ue Lttu Anauo w Ai0e
preceptress; and they had loved instinc'
lively. She had promised to become for
ever his the ensuing spring.
She was seated in pleasant reverie,
when she was interrupted by the servant
girl, telling her that an old gentleman
wished to see her. He was none other than
her uncle.
In few moments she was clasped in his
arms.
Mr.. Howard thought Adaline more beau
tiful IAN ever; and when Mrs. Westbroos
told l. Adaline was Lena, tears of JOY
rolled d, his aged cheeks.
"Ah, uncle" she said, "who would Lena
have to love her if you were gomez"
"Even now, darling" answered her un
Gle, ri have just given my consent to the
Hon. Edward Stanley, and when you are
the congressman's bride, you may forget
your uncle"
Adaline could not speak for moment
from surprise, then she said:
"Never, never, will forget your kindness
to the poor orphan. I would net have beer
what am now, if it had not been for youl
generosity. Now, ii my days Of prosperity
I would be ungratefal indeed to forget you
But why" she exclaimed, blushing, "did
you call Edward Stanley congressman?
because he really is. Did you not know
it?"~
:"Never until this moment"
+. Just then Mrs. Westbrook entered. Mr.
Howard told her why Adaline looked so be-
wildered.
ri intended telling her myself, and ash
pardon for the deception I practised upor
both Of them," said Mrs. Westbrook. "]
told Edward this evening our Lenas his
tory Just before he left"
When Mr. Howard returned to the city
Adaline accompanied him, but she did not
90 to his mansion. She stopped with an
old schoolmate.
It was soon noised about that the gifted
and beautiful Lena was in the city, and heI
true name came out at a grand ball, where
her cousin and all their aristocratic friends
were present. Ada!ine was attended by
her bethrothed husband, Edward Stanley
She was arrayed in robe Of white satin
embroidered with silver. Her raven curls
were confined by band Of the richest
pearls whilst necklace Of the same encir'
cled her snowy neck. Her cheeks We're
flushed, for she was listening to her lovers
voice. But when the Misses Howard's ar.
rival was announc, d, proudly, almost
haughtily, did she meet them, with a calm
dignity, BETTING queen receiving her
subjects. She was the ruling star Of the
season.
Time passed, Mr.. Howard lay on his
death-bed, prostrated bya sudden and NOR
tai disease.
Adaline had flown to nurse him, for Clara
had eloped with a worthless adventurer.
Edward Stanley was also there.
"Uncle, for so will call you" he said.
81 am sorry to see you so ill.,
"You have just come in time," said the
old man, "to receive my blessing before I
die. I have no right to ask the favor of
you, yet will. Protect my wife and chill
dren."
"I will be to them all you wish,'' solemn
ly said Edward Stanley. "For your kind
ness to me is dearer to me than ife.'
The sufferer smiled family.
"Oh, God, thank thee,' he cried. 81
can now die contented."
Emma and Annie, the naughty ballroom
bellies, were awed by that scene Of death,
and vowed that they would live differently,
as they pressed kiss upon their dying
fathers lips, and saw their mother borne
fainting from the room.
Clara, the disobedient child, was not for.
gotten.
"Give her my blessing" said the old
man.s "And tell her freely forgive her."
A few months and he was joined by his
repentant wife, who died blessing Alkaline
with her latest breath, and leaving her two
daughters, now almost penniless, to the
poor cousins care.
It was bright and beautiful morn in
the early spring, when Lena, the gifted
and beautiful, stood before the altar, to be-
come the wife of the distinguished Edward
Stanley.
There, too, were Emma and Annie, look.
ing happily on, while Mrs. Westbrook smil-
ed her congratulations.
. It was in country church that they were
married. There were many there from the
gay city to witness the ceremony. 4
Little children strewed flowers in the
pathway of the bride as she returned to her
carriage.
Edward Stanley NOT only took his wife,
but her now dependent cousins.
Adaline did not look upon them as such,
however, but treated them as sisters. .-.-,.s
But where was Clara all this time? for
three years she was not heard from. But
one dark winters night, a pale woman, in
tattered garments, might be seen vending
her way down to the Hon. Edward STAN
ley's beautiful residence. Feebly she
knocked for admittance.
The servant stared at her wonderingly,
when she asked if Mrs. Stanley was at
home.
'Tell her yes" said AdaGne, who always
listened to the voice of distress.
The pale supplicant entered, and cast her
eyes on her two sisters, who knew her in a
moment, and at once Adaline received the
wanderer to her heart.
Clara had come home to Adaline's to die
deserted, heart-broken wife.
All that could be done, was done to re.
store her, but in vain.
Adaline's voice soothed her in her wild