The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-01-21
TWO RED ROSES.

:" A6D AOSSS.
The golden sun was sinking to rest
amid clouds of purple and red, and its
last rays fingered on the clustering nut
brown hair of Eunice Dalton as she
leaned against the rustic gate that led
to the old farm house, where her child
hood had been spent.
She was very pretty, this slender,
sirlish Eunice, with her deep gray eyes,
her classical features, creamy COM
pleXion end curving, crimson.
And beside her, his pale face and
grave dark eyes drinking in every
change of her lovely face, Guy Winters
stood and pleaded for her love.
"Eunice," he said, laying his hand on
hers, why must you leave us? Are
you not happy herea Have we failed to
make you ~contented?"
The gray eyes were raised to his face,
the pretty white hands clasped his.
"Oh, Guy! not happy-not content!
How could I be otherwise with the love
you all lavished on meme who had no
claim on you, save that our mothers
were friends in girlhood. But, Guy, l
want to go, l want to earn my own liv-
ing"
He interrupted her with a low, pas
sionate cry.
"Eunice. Eunice, darling, do not
leave us. Oh! my love, l cannot let you
so. Stay with me and be my wife, Eu-
NICE"
They had been like brother and sister
90 lorrtl.+ E,,osna lrao~,ol Nf
tie possibility of Guy loving her, saw
as Il brother.
Guy, you cannot mean this" she
said. Tell me you don't mean it?"
Mean it? Oh, my darling! | have
:"ved you for years, but l am afraid to
oeak. know l am not worthy of you
but will learn to be. Give me some
hope, Eunice, and l will wait"
The girls face grew pale at the
thought of the pain she must give his
loyal heart, but she knew it was kind
to speak plainly ut once.
Guy, dear" she said, gently, Il
thank you for the love you offer me;
but-but-Oh. Guy! IL love-"
You love Wilson Audrey?" he said.
A scarlet flush swept over her face,
and her gray eyes dropped till their
long lashes rested on her rounded
cheeks.
II might have known it." he said,
"for he is all girl could wish for
Il lover; but Eunicc I have loved you rs
Il woman is seldom loved"
Near to them 5loomcda bush Of sweet
der hand and broke of one brilliant
flower.
keep this, Guy, in memory OF me-"
she said.
"Givc me the rose at your breast" he
said, land I will keep it while life
lasts
She loosed the rose, and rs she gave
it him he bent and kissed her.
1--WE have been rs brother and sister
in the past, Eunice," he said, land in
the future we will be the same" and
then he turned away, and Eunice looked
after him with tender, wistful eyes.
Looked after him till Wilson Aud
rey's voice fell on her ears, and she
turned to him with glad. welcoming
and throbhing heart, completely forget
ting Guy Writers and his love.
Wilson Audrey had VOL Eunice Dal-
tons heart. and to do him justice, he
believed he loved her when he wooed
her. for her rare beauty pleased his
senses: her shy, girlish manner appealed
to his heart.
lie was handsome, with his Apollo
face and handsome form. with his grace
tul. jndolent, yet authoritative manner.
that the girl whose first love he had
won idoalized him into a hero, and
almost worsniped him never doubling
his love, even when she saw the change
that passed over his face when she told
him she was going to carr her own liv-
ing.
II don't see why you need do so,
he had said; 1.-The Winters love ysu as
their own daughter"
Her face flushed slightly, as she re-
piled:
You must not forget that l have no
claim on the Winters, save the claim of
love"
But, darling, you must know What
a difference it would make 70 my family
when they hear you arc an underpaiu
music teacher of the Winters. and CO.
heir with their SON."
"Oh. Wilson-Wilson, can it bel"
He smiled.
Sweet he said. Il love you for
yourself alone. You believe this,
Eunicc. darling?"
She was so true and loy,i herself that
she could not withstand his tender
ciressing words, and when he drew her
to him and kissed her she was content,
even happy again, believing he meant
nothing by his careless words.
The red rose she had first offered to
Guy Winters was still in her hand.
Il will take this as a love token"
Wi'9"" said. taking it from her, land
flew - line comes when I love you
less ] will send it to you, and you will
understand"
He spoke jestingly, but her face grew
grave.
wilson" she said. sit might be
that some day you would love me less,
and long for your freedom; if that time
EVER comes, promise me you will send
me this red rose. Write no word or
inc. simply send me this flower"
II promise" he said; but rs my love
will never grow less, you have seen this
rcd rose for the last time"
He drew her to him and kissed her.
"Gond-byc, my darlinl,"h he said, and
then he left her standing in the falling
shadows of twilight.
What will you wear to night. Miss
Lfigh?"
The graceful woman standing at the
window turned slowly around, and an
swercd in Il tone of intense sweetness:
II will Wear black silk and lace.
Meta. with rcd roses in my breast and
lair"
But your white silk and pearls?"
II prefer black this evening, Meta"
tho lady answered gently, then turned
around to the ' indow again.
.,itcr some time she went i've to an
in..,id desc, and drew out letter, writ
ten in Il clear bold hand, and signed
Wilson Audrey"
it, was a passionate declaration Of love
to The beautiful woman holding it in her
lmund. She read it slowly over then
from beside it she lifted an envelope,
directed in the same dashing hand to
Miss Eunice Dalton"
Opening the envelope, she looked 1T
what she had looked ut y hundred times