The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-27

you again: Now, good-by, and Coz
bless you !"
He kissed her twice in passionate
earnest way, and then, releasing her
TUNED and quickly walked down tn
road. She watched his fine figure, will
it's well-poised head and springing-step
until it was out of sight. Then sh'
walked slowly up the winding, grass.
path, to the door. On the threshold
she paused. and looked back at tn
place where they had been standing.
81 told him that he was my first low
and that he would be my last" sh,
murmured to herself. 81 hope he vii
remember it. How very strange it al
seems. I wonder if the time will come
when I shall regret what has passed thi
evening? I hope not-I am sure not.
So saying, she went in softly, and 81
lently closed the door.
"What beautiful girl |"
"And what IN elegant rider"
Virginia Thornton heard the words
distinctly, and glancing carelessly arount
from her seat in the saddle, met the ar
dent looks of admiration with which
they were accompanied. But not {
tinge of color stained the fairness of hel
cheeks. The cool, self-possessed ex
preston of her eyes did not alter. Tht
red, mobile lips exhibiting at that mo
ment only pride and beauty, betrayed
nothing more.
Proud as Lucifer !"
She heard that, too. Still her face did
not change. Her dark eyes merely
glanced up and then down again. She
rode out of the city with her companions
and, when among the green country
roads, galloped off by herself. She knew
the act would be noticed, perhaps crit
cised, but she did lot care. She was
weary of the sound OF gay laughter and
the rattle of tongues. She followed hel
own inclination and escaped from them,
Guiding her horse upon the fresh,
springy turf, she made him strike into
an easy, even canter, and soon the rich
bloom broke through the cleaning fair.
ness of her cheeks. The weary, indif'
ferent look faded out of her face-hel
royalty beautiful face-and she looked
glad and happy as delighted child.
"This is capital" she said aloud after
a while.
care you tired, Vic? Well, take me
to the other side OF that old fence, and
then you may rest. One, two, three !!
well done, Miss Thornton The
creature might as we'll have attempted
to shake off one Of his ears"
She drew her painting, excited steed
in sharply, and turned in the direction
of the voice. At sight of gentleman
sitting on a low stone wall with riding
stick in his hand, she uttered quick
exclamation of surprise.
"Mr. Annesley! I thought you re-
fused to join us to-day2"
"And 80 I did, and 80 persist in do
ing. I wish to ride only with Miss Vir-
ginia Thornton, and await herpermission
to do so."
At motion of his hand, his horse,
which was grazing at little distance,
came and stood passively beside him.
With his hand grasping the roins, he
waited. The face he lookel into was
not like the one he might have seen
framed in the waves of that rich, fair
hair, an hour before. The mouth was
tremulous and tender; the beautiful
eyes barren of their coldness-perhaps
the warmth of his smiles had banished
it, as sunshine dissolves ice.
"Your presumption is remarkable, "
she said; "and the most fitting punish
ment will be my consent to your re-
quest"
She motioned him to mount.
"What do you mean?" he asked,
"That you will find me insufferably
dull company" she replied, as they
turned into cross road together.
He gave her a searching look.
"Are you low-spirited ?" he said.
"No; only tired"
"Tired of what ?"
"Everything."
"My dear Genie p
The words seemed spoken impulsive-
ly. Her sudden dash of color revealed
that they were unusual to her ears.
II beg pardon" he said quickly, OBJ
serving it.
"You need not" she replied. "The
name is favorite one. Call me 30, if
you choose"
"What?"
"Genie."
"But I said my dear Genie May I
call you that p
She blushed, but the next impulse
was to retort saucily. Looking up at
him, however, the glance of her bright
eyes quailed beneath the grave express
sion of his. The crimson Of her cheek
deepened, her ripe mouth quivered. In
that moment of exquisite pain and pleas
ure she wished that she were dead.
"Havs I distressed you" he asked,
gently. His forbearance was very
great relief to her.
eyes," she answered simply, looking
frankly into his handsome face.
"Then I will say no more on the sub
ject," he replied. "I have something
to tell you," he said, after a moments
pause, for she did not speak. GA gen.
tleman with whom am well acquainted,
commissioned me to deliver you q small
packet, to-day. have carried it in my
vest pocket since morning. Here it Is. "
He handed her a little white package
bearing her name. At sight of the hand
writing, her face blanched suddenly,
and she reeled in her saddle as if she
had been struck by heavy hand.
kh;o 20 or,, al cbo
"Miss Thornton-dear Virginia, what
is it?" said Hugh Annesley, checking
the horses. Then observing the re-
naming pallor Of her features, he sprang
to tue ground, and lifted her from her
seat
"What is it?" he repeated, with his
arm around her.
Nothing-I am ILL.," she answered,
incoherently, and evidently struggling
to regain her self-possession.
."Sit down here" and he placed her
gently upon mossy, fallen log beneath
tree. "Now, do not talk until you
feel better. Ny poor child"
The tender, pitying words made her
lips tremble. Standing beside her, he
put back the rich fall of her hair, with
the gentle touch of loving woman.
She remained silent for few moments,
her head resting against the dark trunk
of the tree, her lips parted slightly, and
her eyes. with their long, dark lashes,
YEARLY closed. At last she looked up.
"I was i'll yesterday-I am not well
to-day" she said, the color coming
slowly back to her face. "Otherwise
should not be so weak and foolish.
nm ao.rzr 4hat mot rnu Mr. AnneslaY