The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-07-09

| him without seeming to know him and
hurried home. She did not relate her
meeting with Harold to her parents, but
when at breakfast her father spoke OF
engaging him us clerk until Edwards
return, she protested against it. He
was, however, that day employed. He
called on Gertrude in the evening and
requested her not to tell her father of
their meeting that morning. She told
him that she would comply with his re-
quest, and also that he must consider
their engagement as ended, as she could
never marry him.
This did not please him, and he went
away very angry.
The Methodist church stood in a
beautiful grove on a. small eminence
overlooking the town. Thither on the
following day, which was Sunda'', Ger
trude, accompanied by her parents, went
to hear the Rev. Reuben Homes deliver
his sermon On intemperance. He illus
trated the folly of intemperance, showed
how strongly its guilt is denounced.
traced its effects on its victims, and
wound up by showing the drunkard's
doom. In tracing its effects on its vic
tins. he gave an account of his visit to
the saloons, describing vividly what lie
saw there. Gertrude was inspired with
new courage in her resolution never to
marry q drunkard. At the close OF
meeting Harold asked permission to &C
company her home, which she politely
refused. She observed his sullen brow
and revengeful look. but needed them
not.
A week passed away and then there
came letter from Edward, letter of
passionate love and devotion, winding
up with a. proposal of marriage. Ger
trude, exultant in her new love, immedi-
ately answered, accepting his proposal,
and begging him to hasten to her.
Harold soon heard of her engagement
and forthwith left town. On the day
after his departure Gertrude received a
letter from him, in which he told her
that as she had refused to be his wife, he
had sworn that she should never be
Edwards. He warned her at the peril
of Edwards life to tell no one the con-
tents of his letter. After consideration,
she determined to send it to Edward,
which she did by the next mail. She
thought it best, however, to say nothing
about 1t to her parents.
Three days after Harold's departure
the discovery was made that the firm of
Moor & Co. had been robbed of S340 in
bank notes, the thief having placed bogus
money in lieu of what he had taken. to
avoid immediate detection. Suspicion
ut once pointed to Harold, and detectives
were placed on his track.
Another week flew by and Edwards s
return drew near. He had shortened
his stay at home in order to be with
Gertrude. Nothing had been heard of
Harold. though careful search had been
made for him. 1t was the universal
opinion that he had sought refuge in the
far West. Preparations were made ut
Mr.. Moor's for Edwards reception, and
I'll went merry, as though nothing wrong
had occurred; for. indeed, Gertrude's
parents felt grateful that Harold had
only gotten S340 instead of their affec-
tionate daughter, whose happiness would
have been wrecked had she become his
wife. ...
We have stated that it was the univer-
sal opinion that Harold had gone West :;
but there was at least one exception.
Gertrude did not believe it., She could
not forget what he had written to her.
She was more than once about to tell her
parents, but the warning he had given
her prevented Ter doing so. On the
night preceding the day on which Ed
ward was expected to arrive, she retired
to her room mt IN early hour. Her mind
was filled with apprehensions of evil.
She spent several hours in meditation,
occasionally breathing a silent prayer to
God that all light be well with Edward
and that she might see him on the NOR
row. She never once thought Of her
own safety. Why should she? Harold
had made no threats against her, and
besides she was apparently hey ond his
reach. The clock had telled the hour of
twelve. Gertrude felt drowsy, but feared
to close her eyes in slumber lest she
should be awakened by some horrible
dream. At last, however, despite her
efforts, she fell asleep on the chair with
her head reclining on the stand. Some
time afterward she awoke very much
frightened. How long she had slept she
did not know. The candle had gone
out and the room was enveloped in dark
ness. She endeavored to recall the cause
of her fright; but. failing to do so, she
flung herself on the bed and was soon
wrapped in slumber again. But once
more she awoke. The room was dimly
lighted by the moon, which Dad just
risen. A rustling noise on the carpet at
tracted her attention, and, looking in the
direction of the window whence the
noise came, she saw man stealthily ad-
vancing toward her. She sprang to her
feet and attempted to scream; but a
strong arm was placed around her waist
and hand over her mouth, and Il voice
which she knew whispered in her ear.
ATTEMPT to escape or make noise,
pretty bird, if you dare" Lifting her in
his arms, he glided out of the window
and hurried through the lot back of the
house. to- the alley, where n carriage
awaited him, into which he conveyed
the terrified girl and gave orders to the
driver to make all possible speed, as day
light was fast approaching. Gertrude
wept very bitterly. She was now in the
hands of Harold Fulton. What fate
awaited her she could not tell; but she
prayed that God might give her strength
to endure whatever should come.
An hour had elapsed, and the carriage
was rolling rapidly along the road, when
Gertrude, whose weeping had somewhat
subsidized, discovered that Harold was
asleep: No;ws rdss bad beef spoken since
starting except by the driver, who
swore occasionally at the horses, but
ffor sometime he,; too, had been silent
Gertrude at once conceived the idea %
making her escape She listened a few
minutes at Harold's heavy breathing
and being satisfied that he was asleep
she arose softly and looked out of thu
re.r end Of the carriage. She coult
easily and silently let herself to the
ground, she thought. She stood motion
| less, uncertain what to do. The driver
cracked his whip over the horses, ano
the carriage went rolling along at in
creased speed. Her heart beat heavil,
and seemed to rise in her throat, for sh,