The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-09
GERTRUDE'S ABDUCTION.
BY SAMUEL AYERS.

Miss Gertrude, I have important
news for you," said Edward Ruther-
ford as he crossed the handsomely-car-
peted floor Of the luxurious parlor, of the
Moor mansion, to where the young and
beautiful Gertrude Moor stood by a
window reading a book, in which she
was so much interested that she was not
aware ofEdward's d'spresenceuntil he had
spoken. :, $50 sSs.A- G. * 4 -
ftWhat is it?" asked she, as with
crimson cheeks she glanced from the
book toward Edward.
"You have probably heard that Ivis-
tied the saloons last night with the Rev.
Reuben Homes, who wished to secure
items for a sermon which he intends to
preach in the Methodist, church next
Sabbath = q y ~ !.
"Yes. sir, father Spoke it this morn
ing;' but how can that be of any import
ance to me?" -''
Listen, Miss Gertrude, and you shall
hear. / have not language to describe
the disgusting sights that we witnessed.
We visited four of those gambling dens,
in each of which were number of rough,
haggard-looking msn' engaged in
y.
young man in either of the first two we
visited, which was great satisfaction
to me; but as we entered the third one
I beheld among the group that sur
rounded the card table three young men,
and one of them was-"-t 3.
Harold" said Gertrude, sarcastically.
YES, ii. was Harold" .-n
Nonsense, Mr.. Rutherford,n. cried
Gertrude, in angry tones, '-'"I would
not believe such thing of Harold Full
ton though an angel should proclaim it
to me-" .''
Every well. You will learn some day
that it is really true. Would to God it
were false; for then you would not be-
come drunkard's wife. I must now
hasten back to the store. as shall leave
town by the one o'clock train" And
without waiting for reply from un-
grateful Gertrude he bowed very, courte-
ously to her and departed. ."
Edward Rutherford had been in the
employ of Moor &. Co. for, nearly two
years, during which time he had learned
toslove Miss Gertrude Moor, daughter of
the senior member Of the firm, very
dearly ,apd had resolved that when his
ask her to be his wife; but now all hopes
were vain; for Gertrude WAS engaged to
Harold Fulton, a young man of reputed
wealth who had been in the town only a
few weeks, 1t was with great effort that
he succeeded in allaying his sorrow at the
untimely end of his brightest hopes; but
he; was determined that Gertrude should
never know how dear she had been to
him. Fearing that she might detect a
trace of the feelings that agitated his
breast, he had refrained from visiting
her since he had heard of her engage
ment; but the incidents of the previous
night had induced him to seek her pres
ence to convey to her the intelligence
that might save her from becoming the
wife of man whom he now knew to be
unworthy of her.
Gertrude watched him rs he proceeded
TO the store, bitterly regretting her un-
kind words ayfor she had observed the
expression of sorrow on his face and
knew he felt hurt. So much had her
feeling toward him changed that tear
trickled down her face as she thought
how much happier she Wouldybe were
she engaged teshinl, whose dove she had
-.over doubteds than to- Harold, whom
she now believed to be drunkard ant
probably only courted her for hg
money Had she known that week:
must intervene. ere she should behold
Edwards face again she would doubt
less have wept bitterly; but she did no
understand. his. last Temani1to Fhep ant
when, aas hodr. ahefwad.s Che was5or
the train milesa&ay Eom herashe sup
posed him to be in the store attending t.
: AftersaI vain attrS Snpt to console he
mindf bys reading. she Vent into rth
library and wrote lward letter, beg
ging pardon for what she had said
When her father arose to return to tn
store, after supper that evening, she CAV
him the letter. He read the address an'
returned it to her, saying, He is no
there"
"Where is hep" asked Gertrude, il
su prise, dreading to hear the answer.
'fHe has gone to Philadelphia OF
business for the firm, and, as he passe