The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-03

another, not even Lois but he would go far
away; and would try to forget her. Must ne
give her up must he see her another's bride!
B heaven, in thy mercy spare me such sight.
Rather would die thousand deaths than
see her another mans wife!
Such were the wild thoughts that rushed
through his brain, chilling his very soul with
bitter anguish.
Twas the eve before his departure; to-mor-
row he must leave all he loved on earth and
cast his lot in far western land. He went In
the garden where he and Lois had spent so
many happy hours. AS he brooded over the
bright past, his soul sickened as he thought
Of the dreary future HIS lips gu :creS n,s
from her, whom his soul held dearer than all
the world besides
Would he tell OF his wild longings, his mad
love for her; would he tell her that in all the
world, she was theonly one he wished to call
wife? He heard slight rustic and saw her
coming toward him. She was attired in
robes white and soft as the evening clouds;
her pale sweet face, her melancholy look, un-
manned him. Yes, he would tell her all, he
would learn his fate, he it for veal or be 1t for
woe. ,,.
eyes, whose every glance was such that 1t
thrilled his heart-his soul was enraptured at
the sight of her. He drew her to him, and
"Lois, will you sometimes think Of me
when you are another's bride? VIII you shed
one tear for brother Harold" when he Is far
HfWsys me- W5 T1sy you sometimes think Of me and
Did she guess the truth, was there some,
thing in his blue, truthful eyes that would
haunt her forever? Would she ever ask her.
Never Me- % again in could she persuade herself that
| 1t was only brothers love he cherished for
her, there was love in the sadness Of his
tones; love in the pressure Of the hand that
needed no words to confirm her. 1t was some
moments before she spoke-there was secret
in her own heart that required courage to
keep from him.
shall ever be to me oil that is noble and true;
you shall always be TO me my own brother
my heart"
he cIasped her hand in his, and with his heart
on his lips, went on.
Lois, your words have led me to say what
on my knees have prayed Heaven to give
have always loved you.
Sometimes have thought 1t was brother
| ly love. but tonight know 1t Is q passionate
love, love that surpasseth all expression;
love that death itself cannot quench. and the
grave cannot bury. know you are promised
| to Col. Durant, man whom hate; whom l
again, were it not for the command engraven
On tablets Of stone on sinai's Mount, Thou
aWhy, Harold, Brother, r, what has he done
Lois, do not call me brother; it is not your
brother, but your husband that I would be-.
Lois, do you love me? Will you be my wife,
the angel, the guardian of my life?"
i There was pathos. there was music In her
| voice as she whispered,
"Harold, cannot remember the time when
you were not dearer to me, save my dear fa-
ther, than all the world besides. Most will.
Iingly would share your life, be to you oil
that you ask. were 1t not for the promise
made.to that father on his death bed. His
TIer 10 our union as mah and wife, as 1t will
ever remind me Of my promise to him in his
last moments; You would not have me de-
He pleaded, 'you do not love Col. Durant, 1T
Is impossible that one as pure, as innocent as
yourself, could love man as deep, as dark,
and-yes, as dangerous as he is."
mo. do not love him, but my ny promise IL is
ther's sake"
"Lois, would you marry a man you do not
love, make him miserable as well as yourself,
because your father wished It, simply from
the fact that he thought you had no one else
to care for and protect you? No, you shall
not be sacrificed at the shrine OF flial duty.
Tomorrow leave for California. love you
T too well to ask you to share miners humble
cottage, for such shall mine be until strike
the road to fortune. Lois, darling, will you
wait for me? I shall succeed, the great love |
lend me inspiration in my far away home.
VIII you wait few years, until l can give
you not only my life, but a home? 1t will
To this passionate appeal Lois replied,
~ will. will break the promise have
made to Col. Durant I did not know you
loved me else 1t would never have been given.
I will refuse Col. Duraut; tell him do not
love him; he will release me am sure"
Harold bent over the lovely form at his
side and murmured,
Lois kiss me; give me lovers KISS 10 seal
promise before Heaven that you will be true
TO me. with only the silent stars that glimmer
on the curtains Of night as our witness? DO
,icnf 90 Love fOro IN
me,-unless you know that am dead /? But
shall not die, my strong love will lend me
Harold" as their lips met in betrothal
kiss, "by the bright evening star that EN-.
blem Of love. promise you. II / cease to
love you may happiness never be mine; may
the bright smile Of heaven never rest on me
He pressed her to his heart, and in loves
fond delusion whispered,
"Thank God, my dream has been realized.
Come what may I will never doubt you
Goodnight Harold" she murniured gently
|, and left him.
Dear reader, If you have ever loved, you
know the transport that filled the soul OF
Harold as he paced his room till the mid
night hour was come.
"The night was filled with music.
And the cares that infested the day
Folded their tents, like the Arabs,
And rs silently stole away"
His brain was filled with many wild
scheme. In fancy he saw himselfa a rich man,
kneeling at his darlings feet, offering his for
tune, his name, yes his life. The bow OF
promise that had once hung over him, then
receded, had again lit up the horizon of his
life; no more would the sable mantle of De-
spair enfold him; no more would his hearts
blood chill with unrealzed dreams. To-mor-
rows separation was light to him. for he
would one day return and claim her US his
bride.
When Lois reached her room, she flung her
self on her knees and prayed fervently that
Heaven, in It's infinite mercy would guide
her; prayed that she might not be false to her
dead father; earnestly pleaded for forgiveness
at the "White Throne OF Peace"
That night as she lay in peaceful slumber, q
calm stole over her; her life was as the sweet
dream of the happy, full OF hope and JOY. =,
i tickle Youth! One hour praying that
death would come-drive away the sorrows OF
earth and bear the soul into the endless
realms of eternity. Hope dead, the. sun of
happiness gone down beneath dark clouds of
sorrow, never again to light up life's pathway.
Ere one hour has flown, praying that lite
may be prolonged; on the far off horizon,
sorrow growing faint, pleasure growing
bright, the hopes that sank In the dark abyss
I.f Ia in 6ovS