The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-06-11

over, my health IS precaFlOus, ana tn'
doctors have advised me to try the air O
California. 1t is a prescription more
nauseous than drugs, since l must leave
you behind me; but I could not, ii
honor, carry your promise with me fol
an indefinite space of time for my owr
selfish satisfaction merely. At the same
time, believe me, it is no easy thing fol
me to say adieu to the dearest girl il
the world. Sincerely,
"STEPHEN SOTHERNE.
To say that Greta was surprised would
be the same as if we should call ar
earthquake unpleasant" She was
tbunder-struck, overwhelmed, with .jus1
enough spirit left to return Mr.. Soth'
erne's letters and presents by the next
mail without word.
"He has heard all about the diamond
and believes it," she thought. 1t WOULD
be comfortable arrangement if one
could cease to love the instant lover
proves unworthy, but hearts are moi
fashioned after that manner. Wher
every thought and motive of ones life
is woven up with those of another, one
cannot unravel the tangled web all al
once. Another such shock will send
me to the insane asylum" sighed Greta
But there was another yet in store fol
her. Mr.. Grafton had taken to dropping
! in upon her after her days work. One
evening he said:
miss Greta, what if you should be
found guilty of this-this-"
IF they should find me guilty! How
can they find an innocent person guilty:
If took the diamond. where is it?"
Mr.. Grafton smiled indulgently
"People have been imprisoned, branded
exiled, hanged, and quartered for sins
they never committed. If you were
guilty, you would be more likely to es.
cape; you would have laid your plans.
Greta gave an involuntary sob; the
tears shone in her eyes. "And there is
no one to help me-" she gasped, think.
ing aloud, rather than speaking to Mr.
Grafton.
Eyes, yes, there is some one ready tc
help you, Greta," said that gentleman
a will help you, if you will only give
me the right he petitioned.
"You, Mr.. Grafton? What right car
give you? I don't understand"
"Ifyou were my promised wife All
nv dear Miss Greta, don't turn away
your head disdainfully; hear me out
Mr.. Stoughton is under some obligation
to me; if you were my promised wife. ]
could write him. There would be nc
more said about the missing diamond
it would be accounted for in some nat
ural manner. You would be no longer
suspected. No one could suspect the
woman whom Thomas Grafton delighted
to honor"
"You-you are very kind. 1 thank
you; but I do not love you, Mr.. Graf
ton"
"I don't ask you to love me. O1
course you don't; the idea has never
perhaps, entered your head before.
only beg that you will marry me. Love
will come sooner or later, as deserve il
at your hands. And, my dear Greta
what better can you do? Who will
give you employment, with this blight
upon you? How will you earn youl
daily bread?"
II don't know" returned Greta
show shall I, indeed? But, all the
same, it would be contemplate to re-
ward your unselfishness by merely
marrying you for home"
"Only agree to marry me, and | will
not quarrel with the motives" he i'm
plored.
What could Greta do? Her lover had
deserted her; her good name was tar.
nished. Without home, friends or work
was it not the height of folly to refuse
such q way of escape? And yet, how
could she love him? But might not one
survive the luxury of loving? Come
wealth, ease and position; vanish al
illusions that make life sweet. She
begged q fortnight for consideration
something might turn up to her advan'
| tage-the diamond, for instance. But
the fortnight passed, as fortni ghts will
nothing happened, except that Mr.
Grafton, feeling confidence in the woman
who hesitates. refurnished his parlor il
blue satin and pale gold, fitted up ar
apartment for his wife's boudoir like s
suburb of fairy land, bespoke the parson
the ring and the cateeer.
"Do tell" said one gossip to another
"Greta Loring's going to step into clover
and no mistake"
"It's a powerful change for her. ]
hear Mr.. Grafton's always had hank.
ering for her. He told Mr.. Jobson any
man could marry any woman he set his
heart upon. if he'd only work hare
enough and wait like n spider in hi:
web"
"I guess he got Greta for the asking
eh?"
II dunno; there was that Sothernt
who was sweet on her."
90 %1,,%1c I1rxy,, o,1xy n
young mans pastime. I'm surprised al
Tom Grafton, though, with all his airs
and frills, with his family tree and his
coat of arms, and his ancestors and his
money. How does he get over that lit.
tie affair of Mrs. Stoughton's diamond
s'pose he expects folks to visit his wife
and ask no questions, once she's g
Grafton"
Law! it's the way of the world: :
pretty face makes a man forget trespasse>
and get rid of his judgment. It's no USE
quarreling with such things at our age
Greta'll make a fine lady, and / mean tc
pay my respects at Grafton p lace directly
I'm just crazy to see the new fixings
I'd just like to see how I'd look in the
blue-satin parlor."
And all this time Greta had not ever
consented. 1t is true, wealth and com
fort were alluring. She had told herscl
that Providence would provide; anC
how could she know but this was tht
very provision made for her? 1t would
be delightful, no doubt. to enjoy such ar
establishment rs Grafton Place. Only
let her say "Yes," and she might weal
her velvets and laces with any lady il
the land, drive in her satin-lined car
riage, and have servants under her ant
all that heart could desire. All? Yes
all but self.approval, love and Stepher
Sotherne. Still, let her answer mo,
and Stephen and love would still be lack
ing, and hardship, want and public dis
approval be superadded.
1.-THE miserable little thief!' though
the exasperated Mrs. Stoughton. "Sh'
has played her cards to perfection
cozening that old fellow into marry
ing her. No doubt he'll rue the day, ant
serve him right"
In the meantime, as Greta had no
given him n refusal, Mr.. Grafton chose
to consider himself accepted. He con
suited her about the wedding journey
about the new servants to be engaged
rs if the marriage was matter of course
She acquiesced in his suggestions, bu
she had no choice to make she was drift
ing with the stream, not rowing hare
against it; she was making believe tina
she could love him by-and-bye; his at
tention, his consideration for one so for
lorn, his generosity, touched her; tina