The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-08-06

in the distance, but Charley did not
hear and did not wish to be disturbed.
The voices came nearer; Lenora
could not see, but knew who it was.
Hark! What did she hear? They
were Just opposite the recess now, but
they could not sec her. She pressed
her hand closely to her side, as if to
stop the wild beating of her aching
heart. Jeannette's strong, harsh voice
sounded like thunder in her ears, as
she heard them come nearer.
II tell you, Ray, that she is actually
little tramp or cunning adven-
turess. Just think of the way she man
aged to enter this house, in an old
rough box, and all wrapped up in
blankets; and, too, those blank papers
we're abominable. She thought she
would create IN excitement by throw
ing an air of mystery about her."
II do not see how it can be so, jean
nette, for she looks So"
The sentence was not finished, for
Just behind them they heard call for
"Help-help-she has tainted"
It was Charley Halls voice, and Ray
recognized it; and, too, he remembered
that the little stranger had been his
partner and that they leftthe ballroom
together.
He quickly unloosed Jeannette's
grasping hand from his arm and ran
back.
Charley met him at the entrance of
the recess. and his face was CHASTITY
pale. :.
"Oh, my God, Ray, she tainted and
fell over before T knew it I noticed
that she turned very pale as you came
near, and before you had scarcely
passed she fell"
"Jeannette, run for the smelling
salts, and you, Charley, bring some
water and wine, quick"
As the two started for the restora-
tives Ray went to Lenora and knelt
down by her side. She 10y there on
the soft, green grass, and her ghastly,
cold face, with its dull, stony eyes,
seemed to stare him in the face and re-
proach him for listening to what jean
nette had been telling him.
As he saw her lying there, so pale,
so death-like, great food of passion
ate love for her rushed through his
heart and shook his very soul.
He gently lifted the limp little form
in his arms and pressed her to his
bosom, while the warm, loving kisses
were pressed to her cold, ashen lips.
"Oh, my darling, you are mine, heart
and soul, and you know it. You, my
little angel, my ruling queen. You
fought bravely with your own heart to-
night, but when I gave you mine you
had to yield, and I was so happy, but
now, oh, God, what is this that they
come and tell me about you?
Speak, tell me, darling, that it is not
true, and that is all I want.
Speak, my little queen; I am with
you"
And he kissed the still, cold lips
again and again, but she did not an
swer him.
"Oh, God, why are you Furnishing
me so tonight? Why have you sent
her here to punish me in this manner,
when I would die for her this very mo-
ment? I know it is all false-she can't
be wicked. No, she is as pure as the
angels in heaven"
he pressed her close to his bosom
again and she slightly moved.
"Thank God she lives"
He gently laid her down on the grass
again and her eyes lost that cold, stony
expression. She turned her head and
looked straight in his eyes.
"Please do not believe it, sir, do not
believe what she said, for it isn't true.
I am not wicked, but, oh, 80 lonely and
homeless"
That was all Ray wanted; he was
then the happiest man in all the world.
II did not, could not, believe it
when she told me. You know all now,
and shall never leave me while I live"
Lenora had closed her eyes again,
but as he finished speaking size opened
them and looked at Ray, while that
same submissive smile played about
her mouth that was for him only. It
was sweeter and more eloquent than
words to Ray.
In the confusion, Jeanette and
Charley had been somewhat detained,
but they soon came. Lenora drank
some wine that Charley brought, and
Ray bathed her face and hands in the
cool water.
In short time the four returned to
the drawing-room, to rest awhile. Ray
was Lenora's partner for the next
waltz, and as they entered the ball
room his face glowed ;th happiness,
and he was more radiant than he had
ever been seen before.
Mrs. Bristol quickly saw the change,
and OWNED the cause when she saw
that her pet was Rays partner.
Had she not been so positive that Le-
nora was innocent of Jeannette's
charge, she would never be able to for
give herself for what she had done that
night; but as it was, she only looked on
with pleased, happy smile.
AS for Jeanette, no one knew what
she thought or felt as she saw her "lit-
tie tramp whirling round and round
the room like fairy, treading on the
air, and Ray-her Ray-was the hateful
creatures partner, and he had his arm
round her waist, and from the express
sion on his face as he looked down in
Lenora's lovely. dreamy eyes, jean
rette knew that he loved the "little
tramp" ten thousand times more, IN
worthy as she was, than he had ever
loved her.
"Ah, the misery of it all Just to
look at them is burning the heart out of
my body" she would sigh and murmur
10 hersalf nrEf md nyer anain HIs Il