The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-05-07

BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.

CHATTER N1l-lCONTlNuED.J .
"Could anything be more lovely,
thought Noll, as he advanced toward
the frightened, shivering Lenora.
At sight of Noll her fear increased,
but by q mighty effort she calmed her
self and prepared to meet her foe.
He reached as if to seize her hand,
but she shrank from him as if he were
a poisonous serpent.
II positively forbid you to ever touch
me. Have I not told YOU that I hate
you, and ought you not to be satisfied
that you have me here your prisoner
Is that all you wanted of me in this
room, to insult me again."
mo, my beautiful Lenora, I wished
you to come to me that I might show
you my home"
As he said nothing OF her being mis-
tress of his home, she felt somewhat
relieved.
II do not object to looking at youl
house, Mr.. Noll; from what have
seen of it so far, it must be very nice
prison"
Noll bit his lips, yet said nothing.
They passed through the whole beauti.
full house, but Lenora took no interest
in any part of it, until they came to the
conservatory.
As they passed up and down the
long, beaueiful aisles, she would gently
touch with her soft rosy lips the lovely
flowers as she passed them by.
"You seem to love flowers, Lenora.
"Yes, they are my friends" And she
cast sweet, gentle. smile at Noll, for
getting where she was and who she wal
with.
Miss I.enora, as it is now near din.
ner-time, we had best go to the ari
hall and then to the library
The art hall was beautiful. She sal
long and gazed in silent admiration
upon the fine paintings and the grand
collection of things of interest that Noll
had gathered in his wanderings.
II see you enjoy this also."
Eyes, I am an adnirer of the fine
arts and of beautiful nature"
The library was next, and its wall.
were covered with the works of almost
every author. There seemed to be
= nothing wanting; this, also, was great
attraction for Lenora. Noll saw she
was pleased and thought best to i'm
prove the opportunity and make an i'm
preston, if possible.
"You see, Miss Lenora, I have trieC
to make this little kingdom fit for the
ss.een I wish to reign in it. Beneath
this are fine wine rooms and billiard
halls, while in the rear of the building
is the dining hall and kitchen. The
rest you have seen; this is all yours
with what I have offered you before.
"Will you not accept?"
"Mr. Noll, YOU have my answer. Yor
are exceedingly good to a pennilesl
prisoner, and if my dull comprehension
serves me right, there is some great mys
terry behind all this that prompts you t.
act 50. Am not right?"
ayes, my fair Lenore. I have a mo
tive; one true and honest. 1t is love
Do you trample this love I give you un
der your little feet?'
"You have spoken sufficiently to m,
upon that subject, Mr. Noll.
II am very simple and inexpen
enced gi1l; all I know I have obtained
from books, and have never been in ,
city of this size before Neither, have
ever seen q house so beautifully fur
nished Us this, while you seem to b.
generosity itself. Yet can not, through
my ignorance, understand why a tru,
and honest gentleman would separat.
an innocent young girl from all that wal
dear to her.
"Yes, you tore me away from my
hearts idol, from all that was near anG
dear to ME; and for what purpose
cannot yet understand. The pain
have suffered has taught me few
things I did not know, and I, as a lady
must thank you for your seeming gen
erosity; and yet, as a lady, 7 must re-
fuse everything"
These words were spoken in low
distinct tones, and in manner thai
uone could doubt that the speake,
meant what she said. Those word
sounded like low, sweet music in tn.
distance to the ears Of fair Listener
that had been hiding behind curtair
between the drawing room and the Ii
brary, while to Sylvester Noll they
sounded like his daath-knell-
He raised a pale, troubled face te
Lenora's beautiful, searching eyes.
II see that you are determined tc
have no mercy upon me.
"Can you not, with those great, peer