The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-03
DR.. Gray stole gently into the room, laid his
hand softly on her head and said,

sive sob shook her delicate frame. A SHADOW
passed over the old mans face, and he SAID
half aloud ~ must tell her, she must know
it,
"Lois," he began, "there is something I
should have told you long ago, but could
not destroy your confidence in one, who was
part of Your life God, help me to break
it gently! Lois. your idol was ' false only
oa ne xo@ was mean Holt was was not he
for he was true"
Eyes, he sinncd, but believe 1t was your
love that prompted him; read this letter, IL
will explain itself have had 1t q long llme
but thought it best that you should not see
it."
She took it, it read as follows:
DEAR SIR:
"Your letter of inquiry concerdlng Mr.. Per.
cy was received some time ago. He Is not
here, has been gone for over year. IT Is not
known where he is, but it is generally con-
ceded that he has gone to the mining regions
in Bolivia. He was cashier of the Bank here,
and defrauded the same of q large sum of
money, and before he could be brought to JUS
tice he left the country. The missing sum
South Cafolinian, Col. Durant. who seemed
much distressed at the conduct Of the youth.
Percy had engaged in specializing heavily,
and as money was necessary. in an evil mo
ment he committed the crime that has cast a
blur over his otherwise bright life: l think
be intended to repay the sum, but it was dis,
good qualities, respected and admired by all
who knew him."
The letter was written by the President of
the Bank at Los Angeles, ana was dated near
ly year before. When she had read it she
turned it TO the DR.. and said cynically,
"Do you believe it, do you think him gull
az do not know. If he Is, it was his great
iety to come back to you impelled him to
commit the crime"
"Were the angels themselves to tell me. he
did 1t, I would doubt them. If he did he had
a M 81
see you, my lost lover
She could not sleep; many wild conjectures
rushed through her brain; she would think
his great love for her had led him astray, and
he yielded TO the tempter's snare. He was
gone now, she would not condemn him, she
revert to Col. Durant, how falsely she had
Judged him. how nobly he had acted! She
wondered If he knew of her engagement to
Harold; no, he did not know 1t, for she had
z sneeringy refused to tell him anything. She
would ever respect Claude Durant; he had
proved noble where the man she bowed to
him again she would tell him OF her love for
Harold, ask forgiveness for her cruel words to
him, and thank him for his kindness to her
poor, weak love.
The winter was fast receding. spring was
marshalling In bright and joyous days. all
things were fair and gay save the heart of
Lois Clyde. There was shadow over her
young life that time could not Danish, the
sunlight Of Joy would never dispel the melan-
choly mist that had settled over her. One al,
ternoon she stroled through the gardens OF
the house that was once her home, the solita-
ry air that hung over the lonely place was as
the "Balm OF Gllead' to her troubled soul; 1t
drove away sorrow and brought to mind
those halcyon days ere sorrow blighted her
young life AS she turned to leave the
grounds. she heard the click of the gate and
looked towards 1t. A faintness stole over her
and she would have fallen had not strong
arm encircled her. She regained her COM
posure as a voice sounded in her ears.
Nm NJ 1f1ra ho Nrf nf nrQ
tion longer, I've come back to YOU"
She drew back from him, for she recognized
the handsome face of Claude Durant, but
who had lent Succor to Harold, and said kind
II am glad to see you, did not know you
m had d returEed; your appearing so unexpected.
They walked on slowly to her. home: He
told her Of his travels; how her face had ever
d was bursting to ask him Of Harold. She
breathe the name that was, craven ON her
"Col. Durant, tell me about Harold"
She saw him clench his hands and hard
look passed over his face She thought 1t was
: pity-she was too innocent to know 1t was
ST heard" he replied after few moments,
sometime before left California that he was
dead, died in South America"
She was glad, he was then free from the
sneers and taunts Of the world.
.I %Rid he e9mmis s9a that erime'" she asked.
81 am sure he never intended to be dishon-
est, there is something wrong"
~ "Of that let me not be the Judge" he replied
aCol. Durant," she went on. 81 can never
fully thank you for your kindness to him.
You are the noblest man ever knew"
"You have changed your opinion Of me-" he
answered as flush dyed his face.
"Yes, but did not know you. I formed my
opinion before knew that time would ever
ding one shadow @ over my happy youth"
strange look that passed over his face at the
mention Of Harod's name; 1t haunted her; {;
she could not understand 1t; she never
thought 1t could be anything but pity.
The last days of Summer were beginning to
cast their shadows; the hills and dales were
growing sombre: the forests were donning
their sable hue, and the melancholy days
would soon be relgning with the change of the
season. Lois perceived that there was also u
mourned for her dead love, but that calm de.
spair that had once settled over her was CIV
ing way to resignation, as she was growing
reconciled to the workings of will greater
than hers. Scarcely a day went by without
him more and more for his generosity to her
what he had done for him M When When spSsed one day S
Col. Durant came to her and told her of his
great love for her. laid his fortune, his name,
his love at her feet, she was convinced or his
deep affection for her.
SOl buIstul, size OeStIl UIuSu Oh Snamo
mantling her face, II have u respect for you
that Will never have for another man. l do
not love you, respect and esteem you.
will marry you, but do not ask me to love you.
My heart, yes, my very soul seems buried in
that grave that lies in those far away South
American lands. The very respect have Tor
you, was born of the kindness you showed
my unfortunate friend. Yes, l will marry
you, and will try TO learn 10 love you"
~ admire your candor,' said Col. Durant,
"and with this knowledge, though indeed
painful to me, I love you too well 10 let 1t
come between us. Lois, darling, do You love
no other man.
She gave him a long look out of her violet
& eyes; he read truth in their very depth and
was satisfied.
"Wnl you marry nle in two months?" he
Z asked eagerly.
"Yes" She murmured family.
N He gave her long embrace, imprinted q
loving kiss on her brow. and sauntered to-
rttt he mansion that was soon to be his
home. He did not have the air of happy
lover; his face was pale; his lips compressed
his sorl was troubled. He muttered between
his clenched teeth,
.sCould forget the face of that woman!
have tried, Heaven is my witness, but as long
as live she will be to me what no other wo.