The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-08-31
WROUGHT BY A DREAM.


Tor obvious reasons we must suppress;
MIR. Il. is a young diplomatist who fan
cles he has every chance of becoming an
ambassador before the last of his short
cropped locks has deserted him. Mr.. II.
had heard of Miss M. as being the owner
Of a wonderfully beautiful diamond neck
lace, and also as possessing more personal
attractions than are supposed to belong
to any but interesting paupers. Miss NJ,
on the other hand, had been Informed
that MIR. r. was q very decent sort of
fellow, with the smallest amount posi-
BILE OF foreign officer swagger. They
met for the first time under Lady RS
roof, and surveyed each other with mu-
tual interest from opposite sides of an
elabolately decorated dinner table. The
necklace came up to Mr.. RS expecta-
lions, but their owner surpassed them.
Not only was she pretty, but also viva
clous and evidently amusing-not q
painted, dressed up doll, like the woman
beside him, got up for admiration and
incapable of conversation. Not being
accustomed to admire without some sort
OF return, he left the doll to the tender
mercics of his left-hand ncighbor, and
devoted his attention to Miss NJ. They
had grown quite friendly over five
- SAcSh lSo, VIlO III" cNCII00eO Ccle-
graphic signs across the table about any
small episodes that arose during the din
ner. Mr.. r. thought he was getting on,
and became so engrossed that he ne,
elected his favorite entree and had
scarcely time to do Justice to the saddle
OF mutton. But when the regulation ice
cream had made its rounds he noticed a
sudden change in the girl opposite to
him. She turned as white as her own
handkerchief, and leaned back in her
Chair, silent and distracted, with wide
open eyes and parted lips. For the rest
OF the time she scarcely talked at all, and
seemed incapable of rallying; but she
shook her head when he made a sign that
he was ready to assist her out of the
room, and kept her seat till the ladies
rose ard filed slowly through the door.
He would have given much to follow
them ut once, because his curiosity was
wildly reused. He was sure there was
some mystery behind the scenes, for she
: looked rs If she had received a shock
seen a ghost, or discovered an unwished..
for friend. AS soon as he could get
away he looked round the drawing
room, and seeing Miss M. sitting apart
from the other ladies, and turning over
the leaves of q photograph book in evil
dent preoccupation, he made his way to
her, and standing before her, so as to
shield her from observation, asked in q
low voice if he could do anything for
her.
She looked up In surprise. ''Thanks,
] don't a anything"
but you are annoyed or ill-one or
the other. 1 shall never forget your
look ut dinner"
'Did anyone notice it," eagerly.
mot a soul except myself. Of course,
l o wish to force your confidence,
but IT l can be of any service to you"
INC one can do me any good" hur-
riedly. "Only I wish to heaven I had
never come"
He looked at her with genuine COM
passion, for he saw that she was SILVER
ing from head to foot.
'Shall l fetch Lady RI"
"Not for the world! Iwould tell YOU.
only you would think me so foolish, "
looking around to be sure that no one
could overhtar.
II promise you I won't" earnestly, as
he took a chair and sat down just in
front of her, so that she should not have
to raise her voice. "Pray, tell me-"
sit was only a dream" with the ghost
of a smile. ''Last night I thought was
being murdered for the sake of this neck
lace" playing %nervously with the dia-
monds round her white throat, sand I
woke up struggling with a mana man
with a long chin and reddish hair.
felt I should know him anywhere, and I
saw him to-day at dinner'-with a shud-
der-.handing the liqueurs."
why, that was Bird, the butler. You
couldn't be afraid of him"
Il am" looking up at him with terror
in her pretty e5es. Il am sure he will
try and murder me tonight. I can't go
to bed. I should never close my eyes,
and she shivered again.
you can 60 to bed and sleep in per
feet confidence. I'll tell you what I'll
do for you" and Mr.. r. smiled, feeling
that he was making a noble effort. "OuI
rooms lie on the same corridor. I have
heaps OF letters to write-wors. luck-so
that / must sit up. I'll keep my door
ajar, which won't be noticed. ;s, there is
q light in the passage, and my cars are 60
sharp that I would defy any one to pass
without my knowing it. Will that con.
tent you"
teYou are very kind; but he might
wait till your letters arc finished"
'That will make, no difference. ]
promise 10 sit up until my hot waters
brought. Will that satisfy your
.'Oh. but that's too much"
tNot at all. If you tell me in the
81 morning that you've had a good night
with q pleasant smile, s. Il shall feel amply
rewardedi besides, I can do with less
sleep than most people, and I'm sure to
take it out before luncheon"
Miss M. expostulated, but he would
not listen, being quite excited at the
idea Of rendering a service to such a
pretty girl; and when the guests separa-