The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-09-10
Lost Lima;
THE BITTER And TIE SWEET.
A Tale Of Two Continents.
n MRS. NINA LAWSON.
OR

pY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER XXVHI.-CoST1SuED.
One year from the day they left the
Bristol mansion they re-entered the
United States through the Golden
Gate"
ALI welcomed them home except
Jeanette, and when she looked upon
the lovely form of her successful rival,
the hatred that she bore in her heart
was almost more than she could bear.
She seemed to be glad to see them,
and welcome them back, but all the
while, that little cloud they had left
behind them had been growing larger
and gathering more feree each day,
and now was only waiting for a time
to come when it would burst upon
them with all its strength and fury
and shatter the foundation of their hap
piEess as if forever.
That year had seemed to Ray and
Lenora but one short month, and its
days but hours of perfect bliss; that
happy year had made a wonderful
Improvement in Rays appearance, and
his little wife had grown taller and
even more beautiful.
She was noble, kind, generous, and
the mistress of the Bristol mansion,
but she did not seem to realize that she
was wealthy woman. Everybody
loved her, except one, and Ray was
never happy unless by her side.
my dear little wife, can it be posi-
bic that no shadow will ever cross our
path? Can I live on and on forever in
the sunshine of your smile?"
II never care to smile for any one
t1t you, Ray, dear. Do not worry, for
that will always be, and always be
yours"
Ray was sitting at his wife's feet and
resting his head on her lap as they sat
by window in the large family room,
watching the stars appear, one by one,
in the clear blue sky.
He sprang to his feet.
"a song, Lima, song! I can not
sleep until aftei I have heard you
sing"
Ray stopped and lifted the little
form in his arms, pressing her close to
his bosom, and carried her to the pi-
Rno
The sweet, pathetic strains rose and
rang through the whole mansion, ech-
ding through the halls and corridors,
and then passing out of the open win
dows, where it foated on and on, on
the sweet perfumed air, until it was
finally lost in space. How happy they
were as they sang there, in the gather
ing twilight, with no visible ripple on
the broad, smooth waters of life.
But there was ripple, not yet visi-
BILE to them, but it was day by day
gathering force, and would soon be
one mighty wave. That ripple, that
great wave in their lives, is caused by
that long gathering cloud.
One bright moonlight evening, about
two months after they had returned TO
-h' ..,..v.,, ,ney were walking III ,..~
park. Ray was supporting Lenora Will
one arm and carrying her guitar with
the other.
"How lovely it is, to-night, Ray, and
how beautiful the park and lake look.
bathed as they are in the mellow moon
light. Can't we have row on the lake,
dear? 1t will be SO grand. and right
here is the boat house"
"All right, y.a little Hecate. I will
row across, if you like, for one of your
songs"
"Ha! ha! Ray: YOU are certainly
very generous, ana snail get che best
Of the bargain. My song won't be
anything, while to have you row me
will be perfectly grand"
The boat was soon lowered, and the
laughing, happy couple left the little
lakes Of the park and glided out upon
the dark, deep waters of the main
lake.
The air was balmy as of southern
cline, and the lake was perfectly
smooth. The little boat was allowed
to drift; in one end sat the radiant
Lenera, while opposite sat her smiling,
happy husband.
AS the boat drifted out, leaving be-
hind it q fine, silver thread in the
moonlight, Lenoras soft, dimp!ed
fingers picked the strings of her guita,
and her sweet, gentle voice rose in 6
song that her husband loved to hear
and the music, so pathetic, So sweet
was waited over the still, bright waters
by the gentle breezes.
Those strains. as they were carried
over the quivering sheet of silver by
perfumed zephyrs, reached the ear o.
a. enviou', jealous woman.
As the Little boat drifted on and on,
and the music became fainter and
fainter, tro great, dark eyes that had
Len watching every mo7ement of the