The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-10-14

her best, but she amt tit Tor her hard
lifc If there was any other home for
her Id send her away, though I'd
rather miss the sunlight. She's as dainty
rs q butterfly, and yet she has no line
lady ways, either. But she hankcrs for
q piano, and she shall have one. Ernest"
and the old mans eyes filled. "Her own
father gave her that gimcrack, and I've
seen her kiss that often, but when l
asked her to give that to me, because =!
needed money, she put it in my hand
with kiss, and told me was gladly
welcome. She's good girl, if she amt
much of hand at work."
"She is not very strong," and Ernest
Reynolds stihed sigh as he spoke.
Then, with quick change Of voice, he
added: 81 am going to the city to.mor-
row. will sell the cross aud buy the
piano"
But when the farmer was gone Ernest
REYNOLDS took strange liberties with the
Jewel ne held in charge. He slipped q
ribbon through its ring and hung it over
his own heart.
The next day he had it valued by a
jeweler, and bought piano with the
sum named, but the cross rested still on
his heart, as tho bill for the sweet-toned
instrument was paid.
1t would be q vain task to describe Es-
sle's pleasure when the piano was brought
to the sitting.room. She cried and
smiled at the same time, and her earnest
thanks brought the moisture to the old
farmers eyes.
But the pressure Of poverty was COM
inc closer and closer upon the farm.
Acre after acre was sold to meet actual
daily needs, and the wolf drew very close
to the door of John Trowbridge's house.
With stern pride he hid his wants from
his neighbors. but Essie knew of priva-
tons and self-denials that wrung her own
tender heart.
Like q burst of sunlight there came to
her two offers. One to be organist at the
village church, and another to take
class of music scholars in the seminary,
five miles from the village. Twice week
a carriage would be sent for her and the
salaries were more than double the in
come from the farm. Neither John
Trowbridge nor Essie knew that DR..
REYNOLDS by quiet, unsupported influence
had brought about this happy result. No
one knew that he had driven the princi-
pal OF the seminary over on an evening
when Essie was pouring out her whole
soul in music, and held him spell.bound
for two hours on the farmhouse porch.
But they did know that q strong
armed Irish girl could be paid to do the
work of the house out Of Essie's income,
and that Trustworthy man was found to
take the farm work on shares.
John Trowbridge began to realize that
there were women of some value IN the
world who possessed but small share OF
bone and muscle for actual hard work,
for scholars came all the way from l.,
the market town seven miles away, to
the farmhouse. Concerts were given for
charitable purposes, and Essie was en-
gagged at goodly sums to play. Strangers
came to the village church to hear the
wondrous voice and playing of the young
organist.
And while the comforts of the farm
we're multiplied by Essie's generous ex-
penditure, while the rooms gradually lost
their bare, dismal look by additions OF
furniture land ornaments, while flowers
blossomed on barren spaces and the farm
itself was more fully stocked, Essie was
ever the same.
The same respectful love for Harry's
father, the same gentle shy woman, mod
est as violet. Yet not the same as the
months sped by and the sorrow OF wild
own ood lost something of its kecnest
pain. ,.,,
John Trowbridgc wondered little,
when the piano had filled its recess for
whole year, why Earnest Reynolds was so
much interested in an old mans rheuma-
tism. He had always been an attentive
physician aud had never neglected the
father of his dear friend Harry Trow-
bridge, but of late he fingered long
whenever he called and often dropped in
unprofessionally.
Essic learned to know his step and her
shy eyes would brighten when she heard
it. Harry had told her OF many noble
traits in the doctors character, and in
the village she had heard of his gentle
charities, his conscientious discharge OF
every duty, his cnnobling influence where
pain and the shadow of death crossed
his daily path.
Ever shyly distrustful of herself, she
did not dream of winning the love OF
this hero of her husbands boyhood, this
generous friend of the afflicted, this hon.
ored member of a noble profession.
She had given her first love, true and
warm, to Harry. But the daisies had
blossomed twice over Harry's grave and
the gentle heart was touched by other
influences. June roses were blooming
and Harry had been dead two years when
one evening Essie sat at her piano, with
her fingers calling forth a melody full OF
sweetness. It was neither glad nor sad,
and not so loud but that John Trow-
bridge could hear the voice of DR.. ReY-
nolds, as that gentleman spoke in deep,
heartfelt tones.
When he had heard all the old man
said: ,,
"Go to Essie, Ernest, and tell her the
one wish of my heart will he granted IT,
when die, l leave her in the happiness
of such love as you bring to her. 1t has
been my great sorrow that her snort
married life tied her to an old man who
was so poor companion for her. l be.
licvc Harry himself would bid you God
speed"
And Essie, when the love plea was
whispered, the message delivered, bent
her head to hide the happy tears.
"You will let me love you the doctor
pleaded. "You can love me2".
Only the little hand nestled closer IN
his own for answer. But after little
time the sweet, clear voice asked:
"You viii let me keep my promise to
Harry, Erncst2 l could not desert
father now"
II only ask to help you in your care
for him. Ny home shall be his. And
if he will sell the farm he will have an
income that will take away all sense OF
dependence, while we can still give him
love-"
at seems so strange to think you love
me-" Essie said, after they had talked
long.
"Little ono, loved you before Harry
won you, but I starved my heart Tor
YOURS. DO you know what | have
worn there, Essic, for many long
mouth. See2"
And while he looscd the ribbon and
mt the diamond cross into her hand, she
learned for the first time tho true story
of the purchase OF that article OF furnl.
turc, called at the farm Essle's piano.
Ne,o York News.
Mrs. Brown on Fast Young Men.
What is nv opinion of fast young