The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-11-07

The gentleman had just finished read
ing these lines when down came the
rain in torrents, out he deliberately
folded the paper and placed it in his
pocket, buttoned his coat across his
breast, crushed his soft, broad brimmed
hat over his eyes and turned about in a
different direction from that which led
to his home.
Through the rain, along the muddy
road, under the wet trees he plodded
until the tiniest Of tiny white cottages
doomed in sight. A pretty little cottage
in a pleasant tree-shaded lane running
off from the highway until a steep green
hill said: "Thou shalt go no farther"
In front, q small neat garden where tall
sunfower and hollyhocks guarded the
pathway; Virginia creepers and honey
suckles climbed the front porch and ran
wildly over the gabled roof, and just
before-th door a row of ~many-colored
four-o'clocks were opening their leaves
and ainging a delicate fragrance upon
the air.. = 6 ! T. ga
The shower. which had been growing
lighter and lighter, ceased entirely as he
entered the garden gate-the birds in
the old pear tree near by began chirping
gaily to welcome the returning sun,
and a glorious rainbow spanned the
heavens.
To the porch of the tiny cottage came
q small, slender woman, in q gown Of
s~iIver-gray stuff, with a spotless white
handkerchief about her neck and crossed
upon her bosom, and a half-knitted stock
ing in one thin, white hand.
With the other hand she pushed back
the pretty rings of brown hair that
would break loose from the dainty white
cap she wore and looked out with beau
tiful brown eyes at the glowing bow of
peace set in the bright blue skies.
And then, becoming suddenly con-
scious of the dripping figure approach
ing, she exclaimed, Maurice! and how
wet thee is, and I have no dry garments
to offer thee"
Maurice smiled a sweet, grave smile.
CT didn't expect you would have,
Ruth" he said, as he assembled the steps
and stood beside her; "but I shall stay
only a moment, and then walk 'briskly
home, and I don't think thereu be any
harm DONE"
surely"
"Not to-day, Ruth. I came to see
you alone-I have a question to ask
you" She looked wonderingly at him.
"Ruth," clasping the hand that held the
knitting, and thereby ~unrayeling ever
so many stitches, els it true that you
love me?"
b The sweet eyes dropped, and a hot
flush rose to the fair face.
"Forgive me, if I asked thee too
hastily" he added, falling into her own
mode of speech, "but if thee dost, I
want thee for a WIFE"
CT have loved thee all my life," was
the clear, low reply.
Miss Lucille Westerns marriage to
her correspondent, Charles Dessler,
took place much sooner than she had
expected it would, at the residence
Through the intercession of her new
aunt, sweet Mistress Ruth Weston) of
her Uncle Maurice.
And as soon az the wedding ceremony
was concluded the young couple started
for the home of the b~ridegroom's mother
in Germany.
And it was there, while in the midst of
the festivities consequent on the celebra-
ton Of her twenty-second birthday, that
Mrs. Charles Dessler's pleasure at re-
ceiving a liberal check and a forgiveness
from her old home was slightly dashed
by the accompanying news-Uncle
Maurice had another, and a much nearer
heir.