The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-03
''LoVe is Stronger than DGath.'
FoUNDED ON FAcTs)--BY P. L. A.
PART I.

In the western part OF this County, In ante
thing bespoke wealth and magnificence. 1t
was the home Of one OF Carolina's lordly
planters. Generally 1t was the abode Of gaye-
stiffness perSaded the place. AS the moon.
beams fell over the stately oaks, 1t impaired
even to them, a calm, solitary aspect. Stand
ing there in their grandeur, hoary with age,
ing the beautiful structure beneath their
shadows. Within, nothing could be heard,
except sometimes low whisper and gentle
football. An air Of mystery and awe was
fair domain was passing from earth to eterni-
ty.
In one of the large rooms stood three men.
Of thirty-flve, stood with folded arms, peering
out OF the window into the night, Harold
Percy, SO boyish in appearance that he could
scarcely be called man, leaned against the
side stood DR.. Gray, watching eagerly the
blanched face on the pillow.
Not sound was heard, save the low breath
Ing Of the Sy5g and an s
of the room, where knelt q girlish form with
her face buried In her hands.
The night was waning, still the soul linger-
ed, as If 10th to take its departure. AS the
old.fashioned clock on the mantle struck
twelve, q change passed over the pallld face OF
the sick man. He opened his eyes and in a
low, feeble voice asked,
IR Viii bdr live .sans to hssT the clock peal the
DR.. Gray loved Herbert Clyde as his own
brother and could not deceive him. He took
the cold, white hand In his and said reverent-
mo, my dear friend before another hour
you will have met your God"
A shudder passed over the dying form, and
with strange. weird look toward her who No, re, e.
you so soon, so soon, my darling child, Lois! ~
At the sound Of her name the young girl
arose from her kneeling posture, came for.
ward and fell at her fathers side. He clasped
her hand.
"My darling child, before another hour you
shall be all alone in the world; will not be
with you long. how hard IL is to die and
to die, and were 1t not for you, would hasten
the moment for me to leave this earth. You
have been my life, from the moment your dy-
ing mother placed you, little babe, In my
my child You have been a good daughter
you never disobeyed me; will you make me
one promise before 1 die9 Speak quick
child.''
She kissed his pale, cold lips and in her
70 father, will do anything for you! do
not die-do not leave me Q God, cannot I
yield up my soul sacrifice for his?"
have has been mortgaged to Col. Durant.
Ispeculated and lost; he loaned me large
sum which was never able to repay: When
am gone everything will pass into his
which your childhood days have been spent,
is your home no longer; you are stranger
here, unless you grant my request. Will you
marry Col. Durant? He has asked my per.
mission; he has loved you since you were q
child; he has been a brother 10 me. and / am
sure he will make you good husband.
Promise me child-grant my request and rob
10 father do not ask me that. how could ]
refuse you in the hour OF deathw
"Promise me child-my beloved-I-can-
not-leave you-so"-he gasped
She bowed her bead on his bedside and an
swered, 81 promise"
A smile lit up the wan features, he gave her
long, loving look, closed his eyes never to
open them again, for the soul Of Herbert
Clyde had gone from this earth to meet Its
In deaths culver there's m arrow for every
soul the deadly shaft had pierced another
heart, and rushed onward in its wild flight
seeking other victims.
A. the promise fell from her white lips, Col
Dulant turned and caught the sinking form
in his arms.
Harold Percy, trembling with emotion, left
the room and silently closed the door. He
for him now-not even Lois.
For fifteen years Harold Percy had lived
with Mr.. Clyde. Mr.. Percy died leaving his
only child, Harold, q boy Of three, TO the care
of Herbert Clyde, his bosom friend: Harold
had just graduated from the State University
with high honors, and had returned home for
few months rest, before beginning the study
of law, when Mr.. Clydes death occurred.
and told him Of his business; his speculation
his insolvency and lastly his desire that Lois
should marry Col Durant, the blow almost
unnerved him. 1t was too great shock for
one Of his nature. He was more of a dreamer
than q worker. He was Of German descent,
and there was tnge of melancholy about
him, that Is peculiar to persons OF that blood.
He loved 10 dream Visions, he loved to
nation, where stern reality with her thorns
and thistleS never intrudes. He never
thought Of the time when his kind benz efactor
would leave him; when he must labor with
his own hands If he thought of it be did not
realize the force Of its meaning. His mind
was filled with many plans for the future;
which one would he select, what would ne
goal Of fortune? At last he decided that he
would go West; 60 to California, where he
could grow rich yes he would try his luck In
the mining world.
For several days after her fathers death,
Lois was so frenZied with grief she would not
leave her room; she would not even see Har-
old. She was the idol OF her father. his only
child. and his death almost crushed her.. -.
She and Harold had ever regarded each 9TH
err rs brother and sister, and she clung 10 him
as only q girl OF fifteen can 10 boy Of eigh.
teen. To herself she would sometimes won.
DER ii III were only q DTOlnerlS lONc sle iio.t
for the handsome, blue-eyed youth she called
Brother
One evening Harold passed into the library
for book, where he discovered Col. Durant,
who had not left since Mr.. Clyde's death.
AS lie turned to leave the room, Col. Durant
said 10 him in his polite way,
"Mr. Percy, would like 10 speak with you
a few minutes, If you have time"
The young man came forward q few steps;
Col. Durant went 10 the window, then turned
TO him and said,
"My lawyer Informed ME to-day that the
mortgage over this place becomes due in three
months time, have requested an interview
with Miss Clyde. hut she Is so much overcome
at her fathers death that she will not see any
une 1t is my desire to consummate her IA
theirs wishes as to our union at rs early mo-
ment rs practicable. In view Of her SUR
roundings; her destitute and helpless condi-
tion, &C., think 1t would be emlnently prop
er that such should be the case, would there
fore be glad If you would speak to her about
IL. What of your future? Have you mapped
out any course as to thatc"
II have decided to 60 West in three days
said Harold. "There Is no induceInent for me
to stay here. have my own way through
life to make"
With this he left Col. Durant. and going, to
his room paced the floor with the saddest
heart he had ever known. The truth that
had been flashing over him for long time,
now dawned clear and full upon hlm-ne
49, \ l.,t 90