The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-03-10

your own opinion, GraCle, DuC mue
say I don't agree with you. I think
that would rather die than marry s
man whom I did not love with all my
heart"
And Nellie gathered up her sewing
and went into the house, singing as she
went:
Glove shall still be lord OF all"
CHAPTER III.
The wedding was over. The honey.
moon was over also, and Mrs. Melville,
richly dressed and looking very lovely,
with Edward as an attentive and de-
voted husband beside her, was receiving
her guests.
Nellie was among them. She was
paler than usual, and her free, happy,
girlish laugh was gone forever. Yet
she, teo, looked lovely this afternoon,
in her pretty blue silk dress and cottage
bonnet, and there was sweetness and
beauty in the expression of her gentle
young face that went far beyond any
mere beauty of feature.
The house was handsome and we'll
appointed, the servants were models OF
attentive respect. ALI seemed as it
should be-. Nellie stayed the remainder
of the day, and saw nothing that she
did not like. Edward was forever on
the watch to please Grace, and she, for
her part, took it all as her due, and so
far gave him her sweetest smiles in re-
turn. What more could be wanted?
Only few weeks passed. Nellie was
invited to dine with them. After din.
ner they were moving about the draw
ing-room. and Grace was exhibiting to
Nellie some choice bouquets of flowers
which had been sent her that morning.
They had all been arranged on one table,
in accordance with a whim of the young
wife, who declared that the effect Of
their richness and color was lost when
they were scattered.
But Edwardhad not heard her say this.
"Let me put this blue vase here,
Gracie," he unwittingly began, remov.
ing it, as he spoke, to another table.
There, it shows to advantage nown
Grace, with heightened color. deliber-
ately walked to the table, and taking
up the vase, restored it to its former
position.
1T is quite out of the way there
she said, stifly, this is where wish
it to be. Edward"
How great matter little fire kin
dleth"
Edwards color also rose, yet he did
not look angry.
"And I wish that it should stand
here" he returned, once more taking
up the vase; and then he added. hall
reproachfully, half playfully. You
promised to obey me, Oracle, did you
not?"
Don't be so ridiculous. Edwardr'
And her eyes flashed. and she looked as
if she would have dashed the flowers
from his hand, and before he could set
them down she had taken them from
him, and finally placed them in the par
ticular spot she had chosen.
Edward looked pained. and Nellie
mused wonderfully over it all, as he in
moody silence escorted her home. Could
all this have happened in house where
love was lordp No, indeed.
"a woman" thought Nellie, "who
loves, loves also to obey"
But this proved to be only the begin
ming of small discumforts and disagree
ments. Many months passed. Grace
grew more imperious than ever, and Ed
wards face lost all the brightnesssand
he seemed day by day to grow old and
silent and sad. And when Nellie went
to see them now she found that unless
Grace expected visitors she took but
small pains with herself, remarking
sometimes to Nellie as they went down
stairs for the evening:
II have not dressed, Nellie. Ol
course, you don't mind. and there's no.
body else but Edward"
Nobody but Edward. Love would
have made him all the world to Nellie
Il would wear my prettiest dresses
for my husband, Gracie," she said
"As for other people, they might 60
What should I care for them?"
But Grace only frowned for reply.
| Nellie had not been to see them fo,
some time, and various small circum.
| stances caused her to suspect that they
had had serious quarrel. Grace hac
gone out for q fortnight-all alone anC
Nel]ie's father, taking pity upon soil.
tary. sorrowful-l looking Edward, had in
vited him to spend an evening with
them.
After tea he sauntered into the gar
den, and he was gone 80 long that Nellie
went to look for him. She glanced un
der the shady trees-it was summer
again now-but he was not to be seen
Then she came to the summer-house
All, there he was, leaning forward OF
the little green-painted table, his heat
in his hands, and Nellie heard him muir
mur in low, moaning tone:
Il wish. oh! wish"
The rest was indistinct, and his long
ing, whatever it might be, was still hi
own secret. And Nellie passed softl,
on out and indoors.
Grace had little daughter, but in
stead of rejoicing in Edwards house
there was bitter sorrow, and as the youn
husband knelt by the bedside of his un
conscious wife, he felt all the old Low
for her filing his heart once more.
But what will even the tenderest Low
avail in hours like these? Grace's las
moments were mum bered, and she passe
away, leaving her little one to Nellie.
Ard Edward. when the first benumt
| Ing luuuCuCc VI liio SiIcl was OftT, SUI
his practice-he had no need of it now
and went abroad.
Eighteen months passed away.
man bronzed and bearded. stood at til
gate of the old farm house. A littl
toddling creature ran down the patti
her fair curls flying in the wind. Th
stranger caught her up.
What's your name, little one?"
And in a baby-voice she told hin
"Gracie Melville" and he covered he
little face with kisses. But who ws
this coming out to look for herp
"Auntie Nellie!" she said, in prett
pipingtreble, and slid down from ht
fathery arms.
"Cousin Edwardr' exclaimed Nelli
gladly, the color rising rapidly to he
usually quiet pale face.
And be shook hands with her; thel
keeping the hand he had taken, he lie
her indoors.
, "And will you tell me now, ono
, more, Nellie dearest, that you will 10,
: me better than any one else in Il