The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-06-19

He went to Ashland to escape the food, "
and again sank back unconscious. ..,,.
| The three were carried to the same
honse, and in few days. the girls re-
covered their usual health. Redmonds
recovery was slower. He had not
robust health, and the anxiety and extra
exertion of that terrible night, coupled
with a cold taken while lying on the
damp grass threw him into 8 fever, from
which he recovered slowly. The two
girls attended him with thankfulness for
the privilege to shvw their gratitude for
the service he had rendered.
Blanche msgnanimonsly refrained
from reminding Louise Of the thoughts
to which she had given expression. on
that memorable day. There was no need.
Louise remembered with sharp regret
for. the injustice. In Redmond's eye
she seemed to have developed into q
new character; she was so gentle, 80
womanly. The elixir of life seemed to
emanate from her presence. The under
current Of her thoughts ran thus: "Can
I ever admire enough his noble cour
agep" She wondered how he came there
on that night. He had not returned
when she retired at q late hour, but. the
matter had not been mentioned between
them. In his weak state the physician
forbade the least excitement. ,,'... H.! =,
u. One day she stood looking at him as
he seemed to slumber on low lounge,
to which he had been removed from his
bed. 81 never thought he would prove
such hero" she said, half aloud. =" S"I
see now how utterly false are appear
ances."' She touched his forehead light
" with her soft palm, and then was turn
ing to 90, but o clasp of his large white
hand detained her, ''%M''',.- q l''';; -y..y.
II have heard your words.P he said,
looking into her. flushed face and un-
steady eyes calmly, steadily. .'Wu you
sit q moment beside me?"
She obeyed the request. The inher-
ent power of his nature was: rising to
the surface, and a stronger individuality
than her own was making itself felt
above mere physical weakness. "''.~
"WiIl you say that you love me,
Louise?" ,....i -. -. ..,.r. e.. -
The question was low, steady and
firm. The answer came lower, and with
slight culver in the tone--"I love
you"
IT am not exacting a debt of graft
tude. Do you love me of your own
sweet will ?" ..s'e- =. .,.,:
She looked at him. A new atmosphere
seemed to surround him. He was not
to her the Redmond Clarke of old.
She reached her other hand for him to
clasp. II don't love you through graft
tude. If you had saved the life of my
greatest enemy I should have admired
and loved you as we'll" .'.
She was noble in her surrender, as
she had been conscious in her doubts.
sAt last, at last" he said, and with
her hand in his he glded into gentle
slumber.
Afterwards he told her of his dream
and midnight walk. She was puzzled.
'Ah, Redmond. we can truly say with
Hamlet, that
"'There are more things in heaven and earth,
Horatio,
Than are dreamt Of in your philosophy.
"Well, we had a fire instead OF q
flood" said Blanche, who had been
gladdenel by the turn Of affairs. ~
suppose we shall have to call that the
ful6lment. What did the story mean,
anyhow" 80, 49,,
'sHalf fiction, half truth, like hun
dreds of other things" said Redmond.
IT shall never regret the weeks spent at
Woodville-they brought me the hap
piness OF my life."
And his eyes met those OF Louisa In a
tender, happy smile.