The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-23
Lost Lina.;;
TEE BITTER AND THE SWEET.
A Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER V.-[CoNTNUEDl
Or

CHAPTER V.-[CoNT1NUED]
AS Lima spoke she sprang from the
bunch of straw to the heartless woman's
side, and pressed the large, rough
hands in her cold, soft, trembling
palms, and, gazing straight in the eyes
Of her captors, she said:
"Will you not please be little con-
siderate and treat me as YOU would
want to be treated were you in my
place? Can you not open your heart a
little and do something for me?"
Mrs. King, for that was her name,
grufiy answered:
"No!" And with dark frown on
her brow, roughly pushed the pale,
pleading girl from her.
She was but paid tool of Swarthy
Jim's, and If she should now allow her
fair prisoner to escape, she would not
receive her money.
Poor little Lima had done all she
could to obtain her release, for she
knew she could not unfasten the door,
neither could she get through the heavy
stone walls.
"Oh, Heavenly Father, the only father
have ever known, will you not look
down in mercy on me now" And turn
ing with tear-stained face to her foe,
she said: "You seem heartless, for
you will not even tell me why I am so
cruelty imprisoned here. You must be
like the wicked persons I have read of
IN books, yet I did not think such peo-
pie existed. Oh! please relent and
tree me-"
I But Mrs. King was silent and un-
moved.
In utter despair Lima threw herself
upon the hard straw bed, while low,
deep sobs of agony broke from her lips.
The poor, helpless girl lsy there for
some time; the sobs had ceased, but
occasionally deep moan would sound
through the room.
"Oh! What can I do? What shall
] do? What have I done, to be so
cruelty treated?
Mamma! Ny dear angel mammal
Can you not see me now, and do you
not know am in trouble?
"Oh, why was she taken from me, for
need her every hour of my life! What
will my poor aunt and uncle think
when I do not come home? Oh, why
have they brought me Lere? I know
nothing. I am not rich, neither am !
handsome"
"Oh, yes, my beauty! but there you
are mistaken; for :, II are handsome
beautiful beyond description.
"There is nothing in this wide world
that is equal to your lovely face and
form"
The voice continued:
II have travelled the world over; paid
my court to queens and princesses;
but they, in all their grandeur, could
not compare to your strange, bewitch.
ing loveliness."
Lima still lay On her bed, trembling
like leaf in tempest, with her face
buried in her hands; the tears had
ceased to flow, and she did not hear all
that was said, for every particle Of he,
':ccayy .cccay now sshcca shcch with lear.
She was afraid to move, to look up,
for she knew that man stood in front
of her.
"What shall do? I am powerless
to escape, but will not be insulted by
that coward in this manner"
Like an arrow from bow she sprane
up from her crouching position and
confronted her foe with angry, flashing
eyes.
"Who are you, and what do you
mean by insulting me in this manner?
Why have you brought me to this mis-.
cradle place, and held me here pris.
oner? You are coward and thief"
Lina's hot, angry breath famed the
cheek of the man in front of her, who
had now become silent, and strange
look of wonder and admiration lighted
up his dark, sparkling eyes.
This man was none other than
Swarthy Jim, the rag peddler, whom
Lima had so often seen, but now she did
not know him.
For some reason or other the hump
on his back, that all supposed gift of
nature, had disappeared; so also had
the long, shaggy beard and rough, un-
combed hair.
The man that now stood before her
was tall, muscular and handsome, with
a heavy, dark, silken mustache and a
rich complexion. This strange mans
eyes were dark and passionate, yet firm
and expressive.
A dark shadow crossed his handsome
face as Lima confronted him in the fear
less manner that she did, yet he had
not yet answered her question.
eff you dare lay claim to the title of
gentleman, answer me, sirl"
The baffled man mentally remarked: {:
HAh! you are shrewd, and thought
you knew nothing. I plainly see you
are more than mere country lass; bat,
thank fortune, you are in my power, and
I am lucky dog"
For few moments the two stood
facing each other. A light of terrible
dread and fear of the man in front OF
fer shone In Lina;s eyes, while Jim's
were bright with admiration.
The spell was broken by the excited
man, for he advanced a step toward
him with extended hand and parted lips.
Don't you dare touch me; You are