The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-07-19

SQaIp .UuSlucoS HOlaoA bSoonAo 49,
motherly in her attentions to me. But
I would not take any change, for work
was like balm to me; it blunted my
thoughts; and knowing that I was daily
growing pale and thin, I still waited.
I knew the girls used to whisper TO-
gether about me and think me strange,
but no one knew my secret-not even
madame, who had more than once sought
nv confidence; and so twelve months
passed away-four years since Jack had
| left me. .
It was not to day, but very. nearly to
the time when he had parted from me,
and it was almost two years since I had
heard from him. I was trying hard to
grow patient and contented with my lot,
for Nine. Granger had gradually taken
to me, and trusted me-. making me more
and more her right hand, when one
glorious spring morning, as was com
ing out of the breakfast-room to go up
stairs to work, she called me into her
little snuggery, where. she sat as q, rule
and attended to her customers letters,
for she had ON extensive clientele, and
carried on business in large private
mansion in Welbeck street.
"Grace, my DEAR" she said, taking
me in her arms and kissing me, "it
worries me to see you look so Ill. Now
what do you say to a fortnight in the
country9"
A fortnight in the country ! and at he,
busiest time, with the London season
coming on.
I thought of that, aud then, as ]
glanced round at the flowers and inhaled
their scents, the bright fields near Tenn.
plemore Grange foated before my dim
ming eyes, feeling Of sufocation came
upon me, and the room seemed to swing
round. I believe that for the first time
in my life I should have tainted, SO
painful were the memories evoked by
her words, when sharp knock and ring
at the door echoed through the house,
following instantly upon the dull fall Of
letter and the sharp click OF the letter
box.
It was like an electric shock to me,
and without word I darted into the
hall, painting with excitement and my
hand at ny throat to tear away the
sitting sensation.
But it was letter. I could see II
through the glass in the letter-box, and
seized it with trembling hands, in.
spired as it were by some strange power.
"Jack dear Jack at last |" I gasped,
as I turned it over and saw it was q
strange, blue, official looking letter,
formally directed to me.
Even that did not surprise me. twas
from Jack, I knew, and I tore open the
blue envelope. ....
Yes, knew it The inner envelope
was covered with Austrian postmarks,
and, ignorant as I might be of its con-
tents, T was raising it to my lips to cover
it with passionate kisses when 1 saw it
Then q mist came over my mental
vision for a moment, but only to clear
away as, half stupefed, 7 turned the
missive over and over, held it straight
for a moment, and then, with sigh OF
misery and despair, I stood mute and as
if turned to stone.
"Grace, my child In mercy's name
tell me-
1t was madame, who passed her arm
round me and looked horror stricken at
my white face and lips. The next mo.
ment dimly remember she had caught
the Ietter-his letter-ny letter-from
my hand, and read it aloud: "Mr.
John Braywood, Marlboro, K. county,
Melbourne" and then, in her excite
ment, the great official sentence-like
brand upon it: "Deadl"
That was the beginning of my first
and only illness, during which madame
ten ed me like mother, even to giving
up her business afterward, and retiring
to live with me here in this quiet street,
where she died, and left me well-to do,
as you see. I have grown old since
then, but am not unhappy, great as
was that trial, and it has led me into
what, I hope, has been useful life.
And, besides, why; should I sorrow,
knowing as I do that which came to me
years and years after-that Jack died
with my name upon his lips-died true
to her he loved2 and I am but waiting
till We shall meet again. e,