The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-27
BY HUGH WILSON AND W. G. BENET.
"That is rare gift," said he, examin-

"That is rare gift," said he, examin
ingit.
"It is a gift which I would give al
most my life to return to the giver will
the assurance that the circumstances o
which it ls token are much regretted
by me; and for which, if I am not per
mitted to do SO, must barter my earth
, ly peace and happiness.
"You talk in riddles"
"Well, I will explain. Six years ago
before I had entered my eighteenth
year, I parted from my first lover-a boy
not two years my senior.
II believed then that the first love wa
the true one. I know better now, bu
only to my despair. I plighted m.
troth to him; he believes TO this dc,
that love him as 1 used, for I have
never seen him since I left my countr.
home. He sends me presents and ten
: der messages which render me wretched
But he never writes to me. He givel
me no opportunity to tell him of thi'
change, for I do not know where he is
I do not think I could do it if did.
assured him again and again on tina
last night that should not outgrow my
love for him, for he warned me Of this
thought understood my heart. Poo
child that was II did not know that
had one."
"Then you do not love him now?"
"Only with the tonder, pitying love
of sister"
"And you love some one else 2-par
don me, but if I am to advise, must
know the whole facts of the case"
Her face was quiet enough, and she
did not raise her eyes, though crimson
| blush burned up to the waves of hel
golden-brown hair as she replied, eyes
I love some one else"
He watched her proud countenance
with searching eyes for moment. Their
he sprang forward and grasped he,
hands.
"Virginia, you are true woman. II
I did not believe this, I should not ask
you, as I stand before you face to face,
if you love me?'
"Your assertion is contradictory,
coupled with that question, if you e1.
pect me to answer it," she answered,
proudly.
"But where is the necessity of my
saying that I love you? I have made il
known to you by acts a hundred times
during the past two months" 8.
She was about to reply Immediately,
but she stopped and waited moment.
"Hugh Annesley," she said suddenly,
at last. "tlis is selfish in you"
"What do you mean?" he asked.
you strive to betray me into a con-
fession of love for you before you ad-
wise me how to deal with the man /
formerly loved, and who you know now
loves me. Suppose were to tell you
that I had only a friendly regard for
you, and that loved another?'
"In that case, I should advise you
precisely as I do now"
"And how is that2"
He did not reply for moment, and
she waited impatiently, while he stood
toying with his locket.
Has it occurred to you that the
giver has probably sent copy of his
face within thisa" he asked.
A slight, nervous contraction passed
over her face.
"No, but it is likely" she replied.
"Do you wish to see?"
"No, but you may"
He unclasped. the J. 'cket.
eyes," he said, looking gravely with
in, while she stood silently by, with
averted eyes. "He was homely elbow,
wasn't he, Genie %
She turned and looked at Linn in as
constituent. he laughed at her sur
prised face.
"You wanted my advice, didn't you p
"Yes," she replied.
"Well, I think you can do no better
than marry him"
Who?" she asked, starting.
"The original of this portrait"
She stood gazing blankIy at him.
"You are mocking me; you are
cruel" she said, the tears starting to
her eyes, and her color rising.
II am doing nothing of the kini," he
replied.
"But do not love him."
"Iassure you that you do"
He laughed again. Her eyes flashed.
"Convince me of it" she said, curling
her lips.
"I will do 80. Look at the portrait. "
She took it from his hand, and he
watched her while she gazed. First
came look of blank astonishmont, then
one Of doubt, afterward an expression Of
bewilderment, and finally one of in
1uiry, as she raised her eyes to his face.
care you puzzled ?" he asked, smil-
ing. "Well, I will explain. That is a
copy of my face, and I am your old
lover, Justin Perry. Five years ago I
discovered my parents, and was re-
christened by them. But my new name
and station have not changed my heart.
I still love Genie Thornton"
"And still love Justin Perry, then, "
she said, after moment of conflicting
emotions.
"You are, very evidently, convinced" "
he replied, laughing and kissing her.
"It is all 30 strange, Justin-Hugh. "
"But that don't prevent our marry
ing and becoming happy"
And it didn't.