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

"Give me man who has courage
In my eyes it hides multitude of
SINS"
"You are such an enthusiast on that
subject, Louise" said Blanche Under
wood, as she stood before the mirror in
their private parlor and adjusted her
rufaes, "in looking for that quality,
you'll overlook the want of some other,
and find you have made grievous blum
der"
"Can't help it if do. It's my na-
ture to worship that quality-in man
especially-though I admire it in any
one. He may be plain looking, but he
is glorified forever in my eyes if he dis
plays true courage" and Louise Rand
passed her white fingers lightly over
her wavy black hair, and resumed her
reclining position on the lounge.
"And you don't think Redmond
Clarke has courage?" Blanche said in
eterrogatively, turning to look at the fair,
flushed face Of her companion.
"No, of course I DON'T" said the
other with renewed animation. 81
never saw any of these blonde men show
courage - don't believe it's consistent
with their natures. If Redmond Clarke
ever gains my love he will have to
prove himself man by some unques-
tionable daring" .....>. = .
"There is moral as well as physical
heroism," quietly suggested Blanche.
I don't think my cousin is deficient in
the former" .~
"I want to. see them combined" said
the imperious beauty. "Physical dar-
ing is the outgrowth and seal of moral
courage. But we shall have to drop
our discussion. Here comes the gen.
tleman himself" 49,.
They heard tread on the stars, then
the door swung open and Redmond
Clarke entered. -
A careless, free-and-easy exterior, a
gentlemanly bearing. Undeniably
handsome, if one admired the style
Louise professed to despise - blonde
mustache, indolent-looking eyes, and
very brown hair.
"Have you heard the news, ladies ?"
he asked, as he threw himself, with easy
grace into the depths of a comfortable
chair, and pushed back his heavy hair
from broad white forehead.
"No. I didn't guess they dealt in
such commodity in this quiet place."
said Blanche.
"Perhaps it isn't local news" sug-
gested Louise, idly winding some bright
worsteds, while Redmond Clarke noticed
the contrast between the glowing colors
and her snowy fingers.
eyes, it is local news with ven
geance. A prophecy uttered by seer
sixty years ago regarding this town is on
the eve OF fulflment.
"Please EXPLAIN" said both, with
growing interest.
"To-morrow night this hotel, known
as the Cocassett House, and space of
two miles from it, in all directions in
cluded, is to sink, and instead of the in
habited village, the morning sun is to
rise over a broad expanse of water,
which has covered the doomed inhabit-
ants"
"Pshaw p said Louise, impatiently.
"We were unfortunate in our selec-
ton of spot to rustlcate," pursued
Redmond, watching Louise closely,
without seeming to do 80. "We came
here to escape being bored by fashion
able society. If we are swallowed up
by the miniature flood aforesaid, society
will be rid of US, which would be loss
on both sides"
"Perhaps we had better pack our
trunks and leave on the strength of this
threatened DANGER" said Louise, with
quiet sarcasm.
"Suppose we make a short visit to
Ashdale and return-if the place still
stands. when the dangerous period has
passed" =" laughed Blanche.
"There's the dinner bell," and the
conversation ended somewhat abruptly.
The trio descended to the quiet, cool
dining-room, and took their seats at the
table.
"It is said that the first part of the
prophecy has been literally fulfilled" a
gentleman was saying, as they entered.
1--WE may reasonably expect the rest
to be true also."
"What are the circumstancesP" in
quired a middle-aged lady. 81 have
heard only the last part Of the story"
"I will tell you. Sixty years ago
traveller stopped here at hotel, where
this one now stands, and engaged board
and lodging for a fortnight. But the
first morning he made his appearance
with q face white with horror, and in
formed the landlord that he could not
stay as he first intended. He narrated
that during the night it had been un:
folded to him that horrid murder had
been perpetrated within the walls of the
building short time past, and that, as
curse, all the children afterwards born
here should die in infancy. Further, that
new hotel should be erected on the site
of the one then standing, in fifty years,
and in sixty years the hotel and part OF
the town should be engulfed, as furth-
er lenthening out of the curse"
The middle-aged lady looked much
impressed. ..
"All this happened where We now
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