The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-05-21
4 Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
-oR-

CHAPTER IX-[CoNTISUED.]
ri did not know you were my friend.
Thought you wanted them to keep me
here when I do not want to stay. ]
would so much rather be dead than
kept prisoner as I am"
"My dear little friend, I do not wish
you to be a prisoner here, neither have
] anything to say as to your being set
free.
Il have nothing to do with the matter,
and, as it seems, am only here to try
and make it as pleasant for you as pos,
sible. I have not forgotten our first
meeting, and since then have been de-
sirous to be your acknowledged friend
lam not hired to keep you prisoner,
or set you free. I only freely offer you
my friendship, and will try to make the
lonely house as pleasant for you as ]
can."
Gertanas mother was a noble, true
lady, and her daughter inherited some
of her womanly nature. Lenora's quick
eye soon saw that Gertana was not try.
ing to deceive her, and such joy as was
that poor little prisoners, to find q
friend so near in her hour of need.
She sprang from the easy chair in
which she was sitting, and clasped her
little soft arms about Gertana's neck.
"Oh, Madam Girindani, I am 30 glad
you are my friend; heaven has answered
my prayer She still clung lovingly to
the kind woman's neck, and sobbed as j
her heart would break with Joy.
THANK you, my fair little friend. ]
am pleased that you accept my friend.
ship, and I shall gladly do for you all
that lies within my power"
"You are woman, Madam Glrlndanl,
and know much more of this wicked
world than I do; perhaps you can teach
me something. I would gladly be youl
pupil"
eyes, no doubt, under your present
circumstances, you care for the knowl-
edge of which you speak, but you are
much happier in your purity, and with.
out that knowledge of this world. ]
speak from experience when 1 tell you
this, for I once was as you are now,
pure, and ignorant of the sins Of this
world"
well, I will say no more about the
matter at present, for see you seem
sad And now that I have friend 80
near, I am going to try and get well,
that may enjoy life little"
II am very glad that you are reco7-
ering so rapidly, and, while you were
sick, tried to do all I could in my
small way and power. will now 60
to my room, for see you look a little
weary"
"Come again; come in often, for am
20 glad that you are my friend"
Gertana then left the sick chamber,
and did not return that day. She
was content that her plan of right and
Justice had so far succeeded. Lenoras
surprise and JOY at having friend so
near somewhat overcame her weak
body, for she soon fell asleep and did
not awake until late the next morning.
That long peaceful sleep seemed to
work miracles upon the pale little
prisoner, for the next morning she
looked like fair blooming rose.
That pale, delicate look that made
her very beautiful, but not so attrac'
tive, left her in that long unbroken
sleep.
In few days she asked her nurse il
she might 60 down to dinner with hel
friend. OF course, her every wish was
obeyed, and she appeared in the dining
mai, u, deec link cashmere, trimmed
with loops of ribbon.
How lovely and delicate she looked
in the suit, just like the first rose oi
the spring, almost afraid to venture
from its warm, snug nest, for fear thai
q lingering chilly breeze may nip its
delicate leaves.
Lenora was not afraid of that chilly
breeze, but of still worse fate, of
look or word from the man who
had so cruelty wronged her.
Since she had tried to escape, but
had been recaptured by her perse.
cutor, she felt more afraid of him, il
possible, than ever.
"What shall I do if he is in the din
ing-hall? Oh, oh! 1 do so fear him.
do so hate him. But will he brave.
and he dare not hurt me. 1 shall moi
pay any attention to what he says, anc
now that I have friend so near ]
need not be quite SO afraid of him"
To the Joy and satisfaction OF that
little fair prisoner, Noll did not ap.
pear at all that evening. Ho had
been telegraphed for by one Of his re.
naming band at Jonesborough, to be
there as quickly as possible.
The two ladies enjoyed the dinner
by themselves, and not one word was
said about Sylvester.
They sat up late that night and told
pleasing stories and sang sweet songs
together.
Lenora accidentally saw the picture
of herself resting on the easel in the
corner.
She started slightly, a look of sur
prise resting on her handsome, flushed
face
Gertass noticed har surprise, and
asked hcr if she had not seen that be-
fore.
eyes; Re. Gert=n., I d. not under
stand how thet-that came here"
"Well, Lenora, it is very pretty
picture. I am-well, well, as sure
rs the stars, this is yourself. How
pretty you look in that little pink dress
among the flowers"
"But how did it get here, and who
painted it? That is what puzzles me-"
Il do not know positively who did
the work, but the master of this house
is fine artist and no doubt he could
account for it,"
A shadow of fear and distrust fitted
ACROSS Itanora's face. hut abe said moth.