The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-03-03

to be crushed the next instant by tn
wheels of a passing wagon.
"H'ain't there enough money yet !?
asked her father, touching her arm.
eyes, dad" she answered. "We1
go and git some supper, and then vel
find place to sleep"
The little parlor of Mrs. Murphy's lodg
ing g-house was crowded with miners tina
evening. Seleni left her father seate(
contentedly in corner, and stole out o
the front door. She was so used to al
outdoor life, that she felt suffocated in
small, close room.
Some one sat on the lower step, will
his head in his hands. He looked VI
and saw Seleni, as she stood he sitatingl,
in the doorway,
s'Don't be afeard," he said, kindly.
1t was the young man who had bough
the flowers.
Seleni sank down on the steps, ant
! drew her old blanket shawl still close
around her.
''It's cold out here said the young
man. ''Mebbie you'd better 60 in"
Il h'aint cold, answered Seleni. 'Tm
most always outdoors.
"Where'd you say you found tht
posies 2" he asked, suddenly raising hi
head.
"a young lady throwcd 'em out. She
had ycller hair. 1t was house with
white curtains at the winders. didn't
set no price on the flowers" she added,
hastily. You needn't have paid so much
for EN-
81 hain't complainiu' of the price,
said the young fellow. "They cost me a
pile to begin with"
"Did you give 'em to her9 asked
Seleni, curiously.
"Yes," he answered, shortly; ''more
fool too"
''They were faded" remarked seleni,
consolingly.
eyes" he said, bitterly. "She'd had
'em twelve hours"
His head dropped on his hands again.
81 wouldn't care" said Seleni, softly.
The young man glanced at her. Seleni's
eyes were soft with sympathy; she looked
so fair in the moonlight.
''How old be you?" he asked abruptly.
"Seventeen," she replied, wonder
ingly.
1'And ycu travel around with your
father2"
eyes" said seleni. "Dad likes to
travel. He won't let me do nothin', :"
she replied, proudly. ''He says he
rcckons he can support me-"
"Can you write2" looking eagerly into
her pretty face.
Considerable" answered Seleni. ~
was to public school once"
"Ih'ain't get no edication," said the
young man, sadly; land want to get a
letter writ"
''I'll do it," offered Seleni, eagerly.
"Will you, now2' and the young fel-
low sprang up. ''Come on into the
kitchen. "There's never nobody there. "
In a few minutes he had brought
Selcni sheet of paper and pen and ink.
They were alone in the little kitchen
that was scarcely more than shed, and
the girl seated herself at the pine table.
"Begin 'Darlin' Lizzie,'" said the
young man, leaning anxiously over her
shoulder.
In cramped hand, and very slowly,
Selcni wrote: "Darling Lizzie"
"Tell her love her!" he burst out.
"Tell her I'm goin' over to Red Mcun-
tain tomorrow, but she can write to me.
Jim Conroy'll read me her letter. She
needn't say nothin' but Yes or No. Got
it all down."
''Pretty near" said Seleni. "You
told me such an awful lot" She was
handling the pen awkardly.
A bright color had come to the young
mans cheeks. His hair was light, al
most golden, just the color of the young
lady's, Seleni thought. She glanced
down at the letter. Would Darling
Lizzie say Yes, or No.
"Got done?" said her new friend. "I'll
take it over to the postoffice."
He scaled the envelope carefully and
put it tenderly in his pocket. Then he
held out his bronzed hand.
"Good-bye. I'm much obliged to you.
If I don't never see you again wish you
good luck"
As he passed Seleni's chair silver dol
lar dropped into her lap.
x K X
The next April Seleni and her father
found themselves once more crossing Red
Mountain on their way to Silver City.
Seleni had grown little taller, but she
looked much the same. Her dress was
still shabby, and forlorn felt hat re-
placed the old black straw. But her lips
and cheeks were crimson with exercise
and health. As they came into view of
the town they passed group of miners
who were out prospecting. One of them
shaded his eyes with his hands, and
looked long at Sclcni.
s'Give US a tune" he called out to the
organ-grinder, and the old man obedi-
emily set down his organ and began to
turn the crank.
Then the young miner came slowly
toward Seleni and held out his hand.
The girl knew him at glance, and her
black eyes grew bright with pleasure.
81 didn't get no answer" he whls-
pered.
Secni looked sorry; then curious
gladness came to her eyes.
"H'ain't you seen herr" she asked.
''No." answered the young man; "she
don't live here no more"
"rm sorry," said the girl; I writ ii
plain.
"'Twasn't your fault"
Then he looked at her admiringly.
"S'pose 1 come to see you to-night?"
The old organ-grinder took up hi
burden aoain. and as they moved away