The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-06-20


| l can half believe that We are bclatcd OH the
desert, and are bivouack;ng till day. Its
rather romantic than disastrous. >,
I'm glad YOU see it in that light. lou
would nlake the desert blossom like rose.
GLOW you iattcr me-
~? Wcfncvcr ilatter those We love-
"You needn't take pains to tell me that you
don't love me-" she laughed.
Il take pleasure in saying that DO.
"That you do that You do"
"Yes. I do love You, Lefty" stretching his
arms toward her, for she had risen and half
moved away. "Letty! Lefty! don't be angry r.
with me for loving you. How could help 1t Y
'You must" she cried; "you mustn't love W
me. You don't. It's all fancy. You de-
ceivc yourself. can't allow you to love me-
"You might as well say that you wouldn't
allow the frost to pinch you, or the rain to
drench you. Can't you love me little,
Lctty?'
.:0h, don't ask me don't I can't; it is
quite impossible Forgive me for saying so.
Yon have always been a friend to me.
"And always shall be, Lefty"
"Thcu don't let us talk about love, nor think
of it. l shall never marry"
"But if you should change your mind -
- can never change it"
"Yct if such thing should happen en-women
have that privilege, you know-you will find
Inc always the same"
"But YOU must be sure that it never can hap
pen" -.
"Sincc you deny me so much humor this
wlim of mine, Lefty, and promise me that II
any change should occur, you will let me
know ~
~ can safely promise that" she replied.
"Thank you.'
It is not often that lover is obliged to i'm
pose his society upon the sweetheart who has
refused him. One might easily conceive OF 1t
Is an embarrassing situation, but it did not
prove so in the case of Tom and Lefty; they
spoke or were silent. as the spirit moved. he
| trimmed his boat with hand as steady as If all
his wishes had been granted. They counted
the consultations and the harbor lights, watch
cd the stars set, and the gray dawn shine upon
the water, and sunrise was just beginning to
glow in tender lines of color as they reached
the town, made the boat fast, and stepped
| ashore.
It was early in December when Lefty went
! into Boston on visit. She was on her way to
! the cars, when she was overtaken by Captain
Crane, neighbor, just home from three
years cruise.
"Ship ahoy." said he. Chow are the folks
at Carbondale? Don't know me. Miss Lefty?
Anything happened since 1 sailed?"
"Youll find plenty of change, Captain
Crane. Even Carbondalc doesn't stand still
while ysu 60 round the world
"Dy-the-way, fell foul of an old sweetheart
Of yours in Cahforny."
"An old sweetheart of minc?"
eyes. Even swcethearts got old If you give
them time enough. Praps you don't remember
Van Evercn."
"Don't remember Van Evcren y
Laurence Wasn't he sweet on you, Miss
Lefty? run against him. just by chance. a
week before I sailed ; he's given up the sea, he
tells me-taken to trading. Guess he's married
money. by the look of things"
Married money! Laurence Van Everen !!
| What do you mean, Captain srane? Dontyou
know that he was lost at sea in the Flying
Scud 2"
"Was he? Then the seas given him up too /;
its g mutual affair, Ell? He's the substan-
ftiaest shadow l ever sighted. The Flying
Scud was lost while l was off whaling, but l
diint.k he was aboard. But, you sec, he
wasn't born to be drowned, Van Everen wasn't !!
His wife can't hold candle to YOU, Miss Lefty
begging pardon-but 1 reckon she had solid
charms"
lefty was in half-stunncd condition all the
way to Carbondale, while Captain Crane spun
his yarns. Was it anything to her that Lau-
renee was alivc-and married? Did she feel
anv bitterness that he had given her so much
trouble for naught, that he had forSaken her
, She had promised never to marry If he died :;
hut he was not dead. And Tom loved her-and
she? Yes. she was grateful to Laurence after
7 all she felt As if she would like to thank him
fo" having Tilted her so cruelty.
"DEAR Mr.. LoSGwonTIIY she wrote to
! him. when l told you should never marry,
! i: was because had given solemn promise to
| Laurence Van Evcrcn that if he died l would
remain single. But he is alive, and hope you
will pardon LEFTY ANDREWS"
$50 the dream departs! = sighed Tom. "The
! lost hero returns; she is going to marry him
! after wears of constancy. She need not apollo
cizc for loving him instead Of me. 1t ends
! like q novel, only am left ont in the cold, like
| the villain of the piece. 1 wonder where Lall-
| renee has been all this while. He always
! had plausible tongue: but if she loves him
Well, / had better so West and change the
! scene"
But before going West it was necessary for
! him to run down TO Carbondale, settle some
family affairs, and apprise his grandfather of
! his plans. It was a month since Lefty had
written her note before he could make up his
! mind to see her aud Carbondalc. Then, ~
| have come. Miss Lefty" he blundered, "to
offer my congratulations and good-byes at
! once
Congratulations questioned Lefty, with
, q perplcxcd frOwn.
Yes. You are looking worn and pale I'm
afraid happiness docsn tagrec with you.
"Happiness doesn't agree with me? don't
think 1 ever tried the experiment. 1t was
! Toms turn to look surprised.
Il received Your note
The color trembled across Lctty's face, her
| lip quivcred, her eyes dilated. "You received
it, she gaspcd-" you received it"
"Wasn il inst little unnecessary, Lofty?
1 should have heard of it soon enough
''How could ycu have heard it if l had not
told you?'
"Woudnt it have been in everybody 8
mouth? Can dead man como to life and no.
body speak of it? But dare say you meant
kindly. Lefty
For Heavens sake, Tom, don't you sec
what mcant?' cried Lefty, all of { rosc-color.
"Ccrtainly you meant to break it to me
gently that you were going to marry Van
Evercn."
"But Van Everen is already married.
"Marricd What Ounce [ am! Lefty
Lefty. can yon forgive me? Can you love such
4 stupid fellow? Jove whole month of hap
pincss forfeited by q blunder. Kiss me,
Letty."-Harper's BGz0r.