The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-06-02
'sAnd he answered, in the same quiet
way, i never heard of her death
"sIs she married?' | asked, bluntly.

| But he SHOOK MS neau Qeclueuly.
"A new piece would not be the same,
he answered, gravely.
"This is slight foundation on which
to rear q romance, but have always be-
lieved there is memory Of the past
connected with the faded ribbon and
sunny hair. Hal, with all his bravery,
is a shy man. He would be like Miles
Standish. whom he is always quoting
in love and in war. / don't believe he
ever heard that terrible No from the
lips of the woman who had sunny hair
and wore pale ribbons, but l can fancy
him losing his chance, and letting some
other man win her. You see, he would
have only himself to blame, and would
90 on remembering the past dream with
a dreary kind of pleasure. Still, always
expect to see him married. Home and
wife are the just deserts Of. men like
Hal"
The man of whom this cheerful proph-
ecy was made was on his way to an up
town residence, in no enviable frame OF
mind
cts absurd Of Joshua's wife to send
me on this errand," he was thinking.
am sure to blunder. Let me see
paper, naint, walls, closets and sewer
gas were the items of special import
ance."
"What rieasant looking house!" he
thought, as heascended the steps of the
residence designated in mis- brothers
telegram. In the hail he carefully noted
the wall from floor to ceiling, looked
closely at the paint, and made an in
ventory of closets at the back of the
hall. Then he was admitted into the
parlor, and saw alta glance that the ar
rangement was such as Mrs. Maclane
desired. A faint perfume of violets
was a pleasant odor to inhale when he
feared to encounter sewer gas. He
glanced at the wall, and then his eye
fell on a la y who advanced from the
lear room, and exclaimed. "Mr. Mac
Iane!"
"My old friend Reby!" he responded,
as he took her hand. "ThiS is an un-
expected pleasure
There was genuine pleasure on both
sides, if sparkling eyes and glowing
cheeks were signs of pleasure; then each
surveyed the other, with glances half
questioning and half apprehensive, as
they exchanged ordinary remarks and
Henry Maclane explained his errand.
my sister occupies the house, and
will show it to you presently" said the
lady. DO you want it furnished as
you find it?"
Henry Maclane looked at the fair
woman-sunny hair waving over her
forehead; clear blue eyes looking search
ingly into his at one moment, and ganc-
ing shyly away the next, lips moving
nervously as if she were mastering some
emotion-and he replied, emphatically:
Just as it isl"
"There is a pleasant view from the
back windows" said the lady, leading
the way to the rear room.
Every pleasant" replied Henry Mac
lane; but he had given only glance
outside, and was gazing down on the
fair-haired woman, standing a little
lower than himself. Then he fell to
asking questions about her family and
mutual friencs; and all the time he had
the air of a lawyer who asks Indirect
questions hoping to elicit some unknown
facts.
Mammal called childish voice in
the hall.
The fair lady stepped to the door, ard
said, gently: "Go to the nursery
Hal"
Henry Maclane started at the sound
of the name he always bore in his own
home. Had it been given the child for
sweet remembrance sake? The thought
that this remembrance must count for
naught, if there were husband and chill
dren, had in it the sadness Of 1T might
have been"
1.-The years must have brought many
changes to you,' said Henry Maclane,
with a view OF gaining some personal
knowledge.
YES" answered the lady, with p
meditative look on her face, "there
are few reminders even of the old days
left. l have had my share of Joy and
sorrow"
Henry Maclane noted, what he had
not seen. before, that there was II min
Cling of Grape in the lady's black dress.
"Perhaps she is q widow" was his
thought.
My mothers death last year was
the greatest affliction have ever had"
she said, sadly.
"Nota widoww wwas Henry Maclane's
mental comment. 1.-The loss OF her bus-
band would have been greater atf1ic-
ton to this woman than the loss of her
mother"
There was pause. and Henry Maclane
said: "You must know Mrs. McClane.
She will give any friend of mine a warm
welcome"
Certainly" replied the lady. cit
will be pleasure to know her. All!
here is my sister. Mrs. Ellis. Sue,
don't you remeplber Mr.. Maclane?"
Remember him? What, Hal, our
most devoted attendant and dearest
friendp Upon nv word, I hadn't any
dearer friend in those days." exclaimed
the sister, in q voluble way he remem-
bered well. "How glad u am to see
you! The servant told me gentleman
was waiting to be shown the house. |
little dreamed of finding an old friend in
the house-hunter. Are you a Judge Of
houses?" she asked, in practical way.
Il fear not; but Mrs. Maclane was
unable to come, as one of the children
was ill.," replied Henry Maclane.
How many children are there?" asked
Mrs. Ellis.
Five" answered Henry Maclane.
Mrs. Ellis proceeded Immediately to
the business in hand. Il will show
you the upper stories if you like to
look"
Mrs. Ellis enumerated the good points
of the house with the volubility of q
house agent, and Henry Maclane ap.
peared to follow. but his thoughts were
with the fair woman in the parlor be-
low.
"It is strange we never met until to-
day." he said, somewhat irrelevantly.
as Mrs. Ellis's last remark was about
communicating rooms.
"You see, we went to Europe when
you went for soldier" replied Mrs.
Ellis. Il was there until the var was
over. Reby remained some years longer.
When we came back to Baltimore your
family had moved to New York, and
we lost sight of you all. 1t was very
dismal coming back to strangers and
many changes. l soon found comfort
in my engagement to MIR. Ellis, and
Reby went back to Europe. She wants
to 60 again, but we are trying to keep
her here"
"Is her husband there?" asked Henry
Maclane.
Husband p Reby's husband ?"
echoed Mrs. Ellis. "She has never
married. Did you notice your name
sake, my little boy?"
Henry Maclane made movement to
descend the stairs.
Hadn't you better see the rear
room?" asked Mrs. Ellis.
mo matter. I will send Mrs. Mac
lane," he replied, carelessly.