The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-02
4 Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAwSoE.
TCHAPTER XvI.-CoNTINuED.l

was continually signing for her old
home, and these beautiful hills and
valleys. In the springtime, when the
roses and wild flowers are in bloom,
when the sparkling water of the cool,
shady brook goes ripping over its
pebbly bottom, while the sweet little
birds warble their songs from the lofty
bows of the forest trees, sending the
lovely sounds, echoing on and on, until
the sounds die away in the distance,
such quiet loveliness as this would
be balm to the aching hearts of all
DOOR, saddened souls"
The sleigh had by this time stopped
tn front of Farmer Rice's gate, and
Gertana lightly sprang from under the
warm robes into the deep, light snow.
The door of the old farmhouse was
then opened and an elderly gentleman,
with kind, pleasing face, and more
white hairs than black on his head, ap-
peared to welcome her, as it seemed to
the now light-hearted woman.
And, in fact, so it was. As the old
man saw the sleigh stop at his gate,
his heart beat with Joy, for it seemed
to him that he would hear from their
aost darling.
Auntie June's sad face was lighted
with pleasant smile as Gertana en-
tered the house and introduced herself
She was welcome, oh, SO welcome,
and she must stay all night 30 that she
could tell them every little thing about
their "lost Lima"
Gertana had intended to stay only q
short time, but to please them she con-
sented to remain, and sent note back
10 the hotel to Nissou.
The day passed quickly and pleas
antly by. Gertans told the lonely
couple all the particulars about Lenora.
It seemed to almost break their hearts
when she told them that she had been
stolen away the second time, and no
one knew where she had been taken to.
Of course they had not missed the
papers, and did not know when or how
Shey had been taken. It was quite
late that night before the large bed OF
Goals was covered over with ashes,
and the old couple and their visitor
retired.
The sun was shining in brightly
through Gertana's window the next
morning before she awoke from her
sweet, refreshing sleep.
A neat, plain breakfast was waiting
for her on neatly spread table.
About nine o'clock the sleigh came
for her, and just before she went she
drew from her pocket large roll of
bills and counted out five thousand
dollars
& II give you this amount of money to
complete Lenora's education should
she return; but if she is not here in
2hree years I wish you to use it, to buy
for yourselves the comforts of life. I
nee there is a little silver among the
black hairs of your head, and now
Gnce have been with you I can real
ize how much you have lost, and I do
this for her sake. Also I will leave
with you her diamonds and dresses,
and this oil painting that looks just
like her, no doubt, when you last saw
her. IF she returns the dresses may
be of use to her, and now, good-by to
you, with the sincere hope that she will
return"
Gertana had glded out of the door,
and was riding off, before the eston-
ished couple could recover from their
surprise.
They were thankful, they were
pleased, but these sentiments could not
Gil the place that their Lima had oocu-
pied.
It was arranged between them that
Gertana should return to Chicago with
Lenora's papers and Isace them in the
hands of somo good, trusty lawyer.
It was but short time after she left
the farmhouse until she arrived at the
hotel, where she found Nissou patiently
waiting for her.
They returned to Chicago the same
day, and on the following Gertana
placed the papers in the hands of a
trusted, careful lawyer, T. II. Hyde,
and in few hours afterward she left
the city en- route to Italy.
Uncle Criste and Auntie June waited
the three years and more for their
darling child, but she did not come !;
neither had they ever heard from her.
CHAPTER XVII.
Noll lay on the hard bunk of his
prison cell some time before there were
any signs of his recovery, but finally
he became conscious, only to find him
self securely locked in a dark, dingy
cell, while outside guard passed
slowly by every few minutes
After gazing round for some time in
. otronoa bewi1dered fashion. tryinr to
remember how he came there and what
had happened, he got up and walked
to the grated window of his cell. 1t
was still dark without, day had not
yet dawned; yet the darkness was no
darker than the thoughts then passing
through his misd.
For long time he stood there, NUT
tering terrible oaths, cursing his i'll
luck, and those who held him pris-
oner.
He then paced restlessly up and
down the cell compelled to nurse his
wrath and make the most of his posi-
fion.
He could not then realize that he
was getting part Of his reward for his
many crimes, nor could he imagine why
Lenora disliked him SO, and would con-
tmually plead for freedom.
No, he was blind to the misery OF all
but himself.
Thus he spent the weeks that passed
before the day set for his trial came.
Court opened at nine, and he was led
from the Jail 10 the courtroom closely