The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-02


the sad news to her assembled guests
Miss Lawrence had been carelessly
handling some weapons in the library
among them small pistol had chanced
to be loaded. It had been accidentally
discharged, inficting q severe wound
in her side.
This was the story that she told, and
in horror and CONSERVATION the guests
received the news, and hurriedly took
their departure, leaving much condo
lence, and hoping that Miss Lawrence
would soon recover.
When the last guest had departed,
and Gabrielle saw the outer door close
behind them, she turned with sigh Of
relief and went up stairs to Adele's
bedside
when the physician arrived the
mysterious affair was explained to him
as far az possible. He looked mystihed.
"Some enemy has done this" he OBJ
served, quietly. "Had Miss Lawrence
an enemy? Who would have believed
such a thing possible?" with a glance
of admiration towards the beautiful
white face upon the pillow before him.
When the physician had taken his
departure, the girl, Maggie Willett,
made, her appearance and begged 80
hard to be allowed to nurse poor Miss
Adele that Gabrielle at last consented.
Could she have seen the baleful look
in Maggie Willett's black eyes. and the
numerous expression upon her sallow
face when she was left alone with the
patient, Gabrielle would have revoked
her consent. But she neither saw nor
suspected; she was utterly ignorant Of
the true state of affairs; and so Maggie
Willett was duly installed as nurse, and
the days went by.
Mark scarcely left the house, so great
was his anxiety, but hovered around the
door of Adele's room, waylay;ng all who
left it with questions in regard to the
sick girls condition.
Only there was one very significant
fact; he never once asked question Of
Maggie Willett. She kept at her post,
her eyes. full of q wild, wicked light,
and under her breath she would mutter,
over and over, II will be revenged! !
I have failed once, but I shall not fail
now"
And so the days drifted by until
Adele was pronounced out of danger
and convalescent. And then strange
thing happened. At least it seemed
strange, passing strange, to Mark Al
leyne.
He receiveds q penciled note in Adeleis
handwriting which contained these
words:
DEAR MARX: My illness has brought re-
lection. and see things now with clearer
,yes, and appreciate your love. I will be
your wife at once, If you wish. on condition
that no one-not even mamma-shall know
Of the marriage until after the ceremony is
performed. when you can break the news
as soon as you like.
Tomorrow night, at eight precisely. NAM
ma will be absent. I have induced her to
spend the evening out. as long confinement
n nv sick-room is undermining her health.
I shall be In my boudoir at the hour Of
eight. IF you wish 1t. you may bring
clergyman and two witnesses privately to
he house, and to my boudoir, which Is
cOnuCcCeu Will Luo olCh-IOou1, uuo VIII
Do ready to become your wife. If the plan
meets your approval. write me line at
once. Your own forever. ADELE
When Mark Alleyne had read those
written words, his heart leaped up in
MS breast with wild, mad delight.
"Can it be true?" he painted wildly.
Can it be possible that Adele mas re-
!ented and is willing to marry me at
once? To no longer postpone our mar
rage, as she has seemed to take de-
light in doing; 80 that I had begun to
ear that she would never become my
wife? My own beautiful, peerless
wife! Oh, this happiness is more than
can bear"
But people seldom die of joy; and
Mark, reading the precious letter over
:or the hundredth time, began to real
re the truth; that the great boon-as
ne b lieved it-of Adele's love, was
really his own; aud that, in few short
hours she would be his ito have and to
hold forever"
"If the plan meets your approval"
said the little perfumed note in his
hand.
If! Great heavens! the girl was teas
ng him even now! She knew (none
oetter) that to be assured that she
would be his wife, and in so short
lime, was enough to make his brain
reel with ecstasy.
He read the little note once more;
Ind pressed it to his lips with all
overs rapture. Then he seized pen
md hurriedly wrote few lines. +,
MY DARL1Na-lt seems too good to bel
.ruel 7 am 30 happy. that 1t makes mel
afraid. Afraid lest the bright vision that
beckons me on may vanish. and leave
me to grope in the night OF lasting
decision. I will be at your boudoir door at
eight tonight, with clergyman and neces-
sary witnesses. I can scarcely wait for that
hour to come. Your own MARX"
Folding the note, he slipped it into an
and sealed it, lest other eyes,
for whom it was not intended, might
learn the contents.
Then he hastened up stairs with
light, springing footsteps, his heart so
full of wild, mad Joy that it seemed as
if it would burst.
At the door of Adele's chamber he
halted; then, after moments inde-
cision, raped lightly upon the door.
It opened slowly; he stood face to
face with Maggie Willett.
Mark started at sight of the girl. He
haL quite forgotten that she had been
installed as nurse to Adele, and the
sudden surprise was quite shock to
him. But he laid the letter in her
hand.
Maggie, in an insinuating tone, "you
will give this to Miss Lawrence, will
rn11 NOT Q"