The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-08-27
had intended as Charles escort, but who

/
had chosen to attach himself to poor old
matronly me-went for long walk
back into the country away from the sea-
shore. Returning we took ort cut to
descend rather steep hill. How it hap
pened do not quite know, but it seemed
that Charlie made a misstep, fell and
rolled downward for some little distance,
until her dress caught on shrub or stone
and stopped her. 1t oil transpired in an
instant, but Harold Haskell was quick to
lift her in his arms aud insist that he
should carry her home.
But, Charlie though trembling, man
aged to laugh.
81 am not hurt" she quavered. "Put
me down quick. I'm terrible Heightl"
We all laughed Historically. But
Haskell was still pale with fright.
Immediately we had reached the cct-
tage Charlie sank upon q sofa.
"I'm awfully shaken up, you know"
she said. 81 shall not stir step for on
hour" she said.
Edith was going to her room before
luncheon. Charlie called after her:
sWould you mind tossing down my
book, Edith, dcar2"
81 will bring it down." Edith an
swered.
Neither of the girls had brought maids.
Charlie always preferred to dispense
with hers when she could, and Edith
had my own at her service.
A few minutes later Twas in the break
fast room giving some orders about
luncheon and talking to Mrs. Webster,
my cbaperone. Mrs. Webster, good
soul, turned from the room out through
rear passage aud turned to re-enter the
library, when the sight saw through
the antique portlere beyond transfxed
me. Harold Haskell, the betrothed of
Edith Westcott, had clasped Charlie
Foster TO his lhcart and was kissing her
passionately.
"My darling, I love you'll" he muir
mured.
slipped from the breakfast room into
the main passage, feeling cold with hor-
ror, when, glancing up, I saw Edith mid
way on the staircase, white as death and
supporting herself by the handrail.
Had she seen or hearda I felt must
say something.
"Are you coming down2" T asked.
81 was coming down." she replied in
strained voice, shut 1 don't feel well.
think the sun has affected me. I will
go back and lie down. Here is Charles
book. Will you give it to herr"
She dropped it to me and crept on up.
81 am so sorry" said, vaguely.
"Shall I send you anything3"
"No; 1 will be better presently" she
answered in weary way, and I heard her
door close with sharp sound.
Luncheon was announced then. The
others must have thought me unusually
quiet. l felt as if were the guilty one
and dared not look in their faces. And
yet I was not angry, only sorry. 1t
seemed like misfortune.
After luncheon they went out on the
piazza together.
I waited q little, then went up to
Edith.
She was lying down, with her hand to
shade her eyes. The room was darkened
and I could barely sse her face.
"Yes, I am much better now," she
said. "Where is Charlie2"
"Gone out with Mr.. Haskell" IN.
swered, almost painfully. Somehow I
felt almost as if the fault were mine.
Edith spoke abruptly then.
"Charlie is in love, I believe"
started.
sin love! You think so2"
"Yes, am sure of it. 1t may sur
prise you when I tell YOU"
"surprise me9" I repeated, with in
decision of tone.
eyes, because Charlie is in love with
B1r. Haskell"
"Edith," said, with a shocked ac-
cent which was not all assumed-for it
seemed really horrible to hear the fact
announced in cold-blooded English
edith, your fiance-"
GA few words will alter that" she re-
piled, calmly. "You see, Nora, we are
all apt to make mistakes"
"You do not love him." I interrupted.
Edith forced laugh.
"You see, it will be all right eventually
right for all of US. They love each
other, and II never could marry him."
sighed with intense relief to hear
this.
~ shall want o little conversation
with Mr.. Haskell alone," she went on.
"After dinner will do. If you will take
Charlie out, you know"
I promised promptly.
That dinner Shall I ever forget how
silent we were-all of us2 How painfully
the time dragged2
Charlie went out afterwards during
the evening to walk with me, but we
had not much to say to each other. It
is almost impossible for me to dissemble.
Charlie finally strayed off and stood
alone, gazing out upon the sea. I myself
turned back to the house, not intending
to enter, nor for moment supposing I
should see or hear aught Of that final in
| terview.
But Harold Haskell's words came float
ing through the open windows: 81
thought feared"
Then Edith's voice stopped him.
"The woman who perists in loving
man who does not love her, but loves
another, is fallen very low, indeed. Am
1 not right2"
| k.Yns roll are RIGHT he answered