The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-28
wood "Home! home!' she called ont,


in gay voice, that broke into sob.
Wicked, heartless girl Unfeeling
daughter! The tempest that met her
was a storm of kisses and embraces
of sobs and laughter. But what was
Harry Chase doing, holding his hat
apologetically, in the background, with
his usual little mild air of wondcr2 He
was doing nothing, quite contcntedly,
until Lillian drew him forward with both
her pretty hands, and said: "My b is
band,n when he proceeded tn kiss, shake
hands AMI even embrace his now rela-
tives with prompt enthusiasm.
"Harry Chase!" cried Janette, in ute
amazement. you don't really mean that
you've married Harry Chase2 Is it
joke, Lillian"
81 think it an excellent joke for me, "
said Harry, radiant.
"Of course I've married Harry. You
didn't suppose I'd marry any one elsef
Lillian asked, reproachfully.
"Certainly not" said Janette, still be-
wildered. "But you were always play
ing off little pranks Oh Harry. You know
you were"
"She has played the final one," said
Harry, with an air of fond ownership;
'there are no more pranks to be laid st
Mrs. Chase's door,"
"Mrs. Chaxel Mrs. Chase!" The chill
dren seized on the name instantly and
began a wild dance of delight around its
owner. It was altogether such wonder.
full idea that Lillian should be Mrs. ANY,
thing.
Jack had kissed her heartily with the
rest; he had shaken hands and congratu-
lated Harry, and then stood apart, look.
ing on like one in dream. He noticed
the large, beautiful diamonds that gilt.
tered from the brides fair neck and
ears.
''Poor, empty, worthless heart" he
thought, bitterly, 'you have brought
your pricew Through all these years of
his life he never knew why Lillian had
married Harry Chase.
But Janctte knew in time. When
Jack was dead, and she had lived
through her widowhood, and her chill
dren and Lilians children were courting
and being courted, she learned the un-
written romance of her sisters life.
They were talking, as gray haired women
will, of love and marriage, and the
hearts deep joys and sorrows, when
Lillian said. earnestly:
'You must have wondered often,
Janette, about my marriage, because you
knew me too well to believe, as many
did. that married Harry for his wealth."
"Oh, never for that, dear" Janette
said. ~ know you never did, but l
have wondered, sometimes s-if-you
married him for love-"
"No," said Lillian, simply; sI married
him because l loved some one else; be-
cause loved Jack"
"Jack!' said Janette, blushing as she
looked at her. "AIy jack"
"Your Jack" She smiled softly as
she said the words.
"Oh, Lilianl'
eyes, loved him dearly; so dearly,
Janette! I can tell you now-it is all so
long ago Janette, I suppose quiet
nature like yours could never realize all
my poor, wild, foolish heart endured
through those weeks after Jack came
back from Arizona and before 1 vert
away with Harry. went because |
could bear it no longer. was 80 glad
when he asked me to be his wife,
"Oh, my POOR Lilian!" Janette's tears
are flowing fast as she holds her sisters
hand. "And I never dreamed-'
"No one dreamed of it, dear-Jack,
least of all, " said Lillian, calmly. "1lived
it down, years and years ago. And l
have been happy with my dear. Harry, in
our comfortable, commonplace way
Yet, you see I've had my romance, too,
like other people"
She smiled, but her eyes were full of
tears.
LILLIAN, dearl And you loved Jack,
and-you knew that he loved me. On,
that was hardw
81 am glad loved him." Lillian said.
-Madelins s. Bridges.