The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-01


after the interview between Gardiner and
Agnes, engaged in making lists of arti-
clcs in great open paclling-cases standing
around him, when a visitor entered, an
old gentleman of commanding presence,
and an address of formal courtesy.
."Mr. Lawrence?' the stranger in
quired.
"Mr. Lawrence is out of town.
"Soon expected back?"
"Not for several years. He is in New
York, and will sail for Europe on Satur-
day next. But can write or telegraph,
if your business is important
The stranger was walking about slowly,
looking at the sketches on the walls, on
tables, and chairs, even upon the floor,
in preparation for packing.
Ono" he said, eff Mr.. Lawrence is
going abroad, he could not paint the por-
trait I wished to order. You have some
fine paintings here. Your own"
"Some of them. Some are Lawrence's;
some by our friends. Everything, you
see, is in confusion"
It's that yours?" said the old gentle
man, pointing to head, most exquisitely
painted, only the head and shoulders of
a beautiful woman, the hair falling loosely,
the large eyes looking dreamily forward.
"No. That is Lawrence's."
"It is a perfect face. Do you think
he would sell it?"
GA week ago would have told you no
money could buy it" Sidney said,
bitterly, "but now I have no debut he
will destroy it. 1t is perfect face, and
it covers black, treacherous hearth
"You interest me. Is the story Sc
cret?"
"All the world will know it soon. 1t
is not very original story, only the GID
one of money against love, with broken
heart thrown in. The lady whose face
you admire has been my friends promised
wife for six months. A wealthier man
has made her break that promise. And
vet, the engagement is not public, but it
will soon be, and then any one in society
can tell you of the Tilted lover, who has
gone abroad to conquer his sorrow, and
leave the field clear for his rival"
"Ah! Society then knew of this old
engagement. I am stranger here. My
home is in Washington, and know but
a few members of your society; so had
not heard this interesting story, that you
say will soon be common gossip"
swell, you see, botn parties are we'll
known here"
"I see. Iregrct to have missed seeing
Mr.. Lawrence, but thank you for your
most interesting little narrative. Good
morning."
"Good morning." said Sidney, return
ing to his lists, and quite Ignorant OF the
mischief his boyish gossip had caused.
Miss Warne, in her latest Partisan cos
tume-a very dream of beauty-was sit:
ting in her aunt's parlor, awaiting the
usual evening visit of her elderly admirer.
Mrs. Pratt, her aunt, was talking in a
monotonous ripple of the trousseau al
ready in preparation, the bridal tour, the
wedding party with which she intended
to astonish society; and Agnes listened
in silence, wondering if the rumor she
had heard that Gardiner Lawrence was
going abroad was true. A ring at the
door was followed, not by the tall, com
manding figure or John Delmayne, but
by Mrs. Pratt's man servant with note.
A note opened languidly, but which
stirred the reader to instant animation.
"Agnes!" she cried, "listen! What
horrible note!
"sMADAM: When requested your permis-
sion to pay my addresses to your niece, was
totally ignorant that she was already be-
trothed. Looking upon promise OF mar
riase as quite as binding as the marriage
vows themselves, am Mortified at my own
action. beg, madam, to withdraw my pro-
pasal, with my most earnest apologies Tor
the wholly unprecedented insult to your
niece, who will, I trust pardon me for my
error. Most sincerely your friend, =,
John DELMAYNE."
There was moment of profound ST.
lencc. Then Mrs. Pratt said, with
sigh.
elbow fortunate the engagement has
not been announced! No one need know
of this"
There was no answer. Agnes seemed
stunned
"Perhaps, under the circumstances,
Mrs. Pratt said, ';we had better say
nothing yet of the broken engagement.
Mr. Lawrence has gone abroad, they say;
so there will be no apparent quarrel"
"Nor real one" cried Agnes. 81 have
been miserable ever since saw Gardiner
last. will write to him and end this
wrctched cStrangemcnt.
81 heard to-day" Mrs. Pratt said,
"that his uncle, Charles Gardiner, is i'm
mensely wealthy and has no children. He
lives in Florence, having weak lungs.
Did you ever hear of him."
eyes. never heard of his wealth,
but Gardiner is very fond of him. You
are surc?"
"Not at all, but it might be well to in
quire about it."
The winter was a gay one, and Agnes
Warnc held her old position as the most
beautiful woman Of the season. She
danced, sang, hirted, as of old, and her
cold, naughty face gave no token of the
fcverish cagerness with which she watched
for o letter that never came, the heart
sicSening suspense, and final agony of
despair. Having lost GARDENERS love.
she placed value upon it that she had
not held even in the happy past, upon
whose memory she dwclt continuously.
She knew. at last. t;lat it WAS the one
absorbing love of her life. Even pov
erty began to lose its horror, as she
folded her love closer and closer in her