The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-05-23
"Yes; it is exile for me-"
cl.. ,r;+L Jreu, bor hand from mine hut

= =. S--~o~''''N \
"Yes; it is exile for me-"
She Withdrew her hand from mine, but
she spoke softly:
al recall it.'
knew that ought to 60, but still | lin
Mrs. Thaxton said that you were going
to NJ. tomorrow. May take you in my
cutter?'
How feared lest she should refuse that
simple request! But she did not, and !
walked home elated with the prospect Of a
prolonged tts-a-tete with her.
"Arent you going to work this after
noon 2 my mother asked, as l came down
in nv best clothes instead OF my working
suit.
"I am going to carry Miss Grace over to
NJ" / said.
feared some dampening remark. 1t
came.
"Miss Grace is very kind to the young
men.
"Is she?'
"Have you heard whether that report
about her having lover in Boston was true
or not?" she asked.
"No, have not
went out, shutting the door with vio-
lence. Now half wished was not going
to ride with Miss Grace, felt sufficient Bit
terness to make me wrctchcd all the after
noon. Banishing with an effort the gloom
from myface, greeted Miss Grace in my
usual manner, only somewhat more con-
strained. But the quiet geniality, the
sweet grace OF her appearance charmed
away my reserve. For these few hours, at
least, / would be happy.
The air had been growing colder and
Yolder--the STOW creakcd under the sleigh;
but after al hours sitting by the warm
freside OF our friends in NJ, and all addi-
ton OF extra wraps, we started home with
no fear of cold.
A gray vapor was rising in the west, and
gradually overspreading the sky; biting
wind from the northeast swept over the
road, cold and merciless. 1t was only for
my companion I feared; for myself, ! was
familiar with the fierce cold Of our winters.
"Call all your fortitude, all your endur.
ance, Miss Grace, / said, for to child OF
the sunny East this must be almost unen-
durable
"If / were only warm, she replied, in a
smo:hcred voice from under her mufflings,
81 should think this grand. You see it's
beginning to snow, and snow storm is still
a novelty to me-.
Night and the storm carae on apace. NY
horse began to lag through the thick coming
snow. We had reached that part OF our
journey where there were 10 houses. Lone
ly pasture lands or woods stretched away on
either side. The cold was intense. began
to fear it myself, and felt it, too, accustomed
as was to its intensity. Miss Grace had
been silent for long time. bent toward
her. She raised her eyes to mine.
II feared you might be feeling the et-
fects OF this cold," said. "lIow does it
affect you?"
"Very strangely" she said, slowly, in
low voice. at is harder to bear than |
thought; but I don't suffer so much as !
did >.
Her words pierced my heart like knife.
I threw my arm about her; l dlew hsr
close to NE.
"Miss Grace, rouse ycurself! Oh, for
Gods sake, do not yield to that feeling OF
rest and peace that is coming to you! 1t
is death. Throw it from you!'
Her head sank on my shoulder; her
breath sighed over my face, and thrilled
me even then.
"Oh, it is sweet! Let ME Sleep she
murmured.
at is the sleep of death" ] said, with
NV soul in my voice. ".As you love life, as
you value the happiness of those who love
you, rulse yourself Stand up in the sleigh,
stamp your feet, swing your arms. DO not
keep STILL"
She obeyed me; the first moment caused
all exclamation of pain, but for moment
| would not let her desist. She sat down.
"Mr. Lyons" Her voice was faint and
low. ! bent my head to hear. Unless we
can reach shelter soon, l shall be obliged
TO Weld. II is really beyond my endurance
could not speak my heart was weeping
tears of blood. I could have offered her
the libation OF my life, could have mitigated
the agony I knew she was suffering. re-
membcred the leg cabin Of wood-cutter
and his wife. had seen it perched upon
tile side of one o. those hills. l had
watched for it ever since having entered
upon the deserted road. / knew that unless
light burned within could not find it !;
even then 1t might be doubtful. thought
that, Notwithstanding my efforts, which l
did not fer one instant remit, if did not
soon find shelter Miss Grace would yield
to the cold fend that sought her. Her
vigorous will could not long sustain the
attacks upon frame always unused to
cold.
My straining eyes were at last rewarded
by the faint glimmer Of light through the
storm. Fiercely, impatiently, urged my
tired horse up to the door. With Miss
Grace in nv arms l tried to enter. At first
the inmates were startled by my imperative
summons, but in moment they unbarrcd
the door, revealing the ruddy glow OF the
, fire within. Motionless, scnseless l laid
Runcc on the wooden settle, where the yell
low light played over her ice-cold face.
The woman who had welcomed us under
stood the treatment needed te restore ami
nation to the almost pulseless form. She had
fire built in the inner room, and took
! Runee there. All night she watched, and
worked, and when morning came, the
smile in the languid eyes of her patient
would have rewarded hours of even greater
anxiety.
; Early in the morning ] rode home, to
! tell the story to the fearing ones, who had
waited through the dark hours for us.
Two or three months after the fearful
night, stood alone with Runee in the little
rarlor at Deacon Thaxton's. stood hold