The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-08-06
a Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER XXII.-CoNTISUED.

CdAt LEN AAll. l.-SON11SOEOs
As they came from the ballroom,
Jeanette heard Lenora singing; some
thing told her that Ray was with the
"ittle tramp" yet she must go and see.
As they reached the sitting-room door,
Jeanette was compelled to clutch at
the casing for support, while her face
was ghastly white.
"Oh, heavens! I knew it; something
told me 80. I cannot endure this sus-
pcnse any longer, or it will kill me.
"What fool T was for not putting
an end to that hateful girls life before
Ray came home. Yes, there he is,
standing and looking at her, with eyes
that tell only too plainly that he al
ready loves her.
. "See-oh, heavens! see how he
looks at her, and never looks this
II cannot endure it, and I will not !
Ray, my Ray, shall not be victim OF
her treachery!"
She quietly glided across the room
TO Rays side.
cray, Ray, my dear, have you for
gotten that it is time for our waltz?"
He did not hear her, but was still
lost to everything but Lenora.
Jeanette laid her hand upon his
arm, and gently shook it.
"Ray, dear, it is I, don't you see?"
As she shook his arm he seemed to
waken with start from happy
dream.
"You here, Jeanette? Why, yes, I
had forgotten about the dance, she
sings SO sweetly;" and still in dazed,
dreamy manner.
"But now, let's go to the ballroom;
It is our waltz"
"Ah, you here, Charley7 Oh, come
for your partner, I see."
Lenora caught the sound OF voices
behind her, and, turning around, she
saw Charley Hall standing near her,
while Jeanette and the young man she
had been singing for we're just leaving
the room.
But as the music ceased, Ray looked
back and saw that Lenora was looking
ut him.
He went back to the piano, picked
up her card, and saw that the fifth
uuuD6r, u WdlII, "aS uOU WdIhSo.
"May I have this?"
But Lenora said not word. She
looked into his face and smiled back
her answer.
The two couples then went to the
ballroom, and the dancing soon began.
But neither Ray nor Lenora seemed
pleased with their partners, for every
time they passed each other their eyes
would meet in long, loving glance.
II want to tell you that little joke,
Ray, after the dance is over; let's 60 to
the conservatory, for perhaps there are
some parts of it that you do not care
about any one hearing"
"Al right, little sister; but remem-
Der, now, the joke must not be on me-"
Jeanette slightly shrugged her
shoulders in reply, and did not know
Just what to say. She did not want to
displease him; no, now of all times,
she could not afford it, but she had de-
cided to tell him her opinion of the
"ittle tramp" and, if possible, save
him, as she thought, from terrible
fate.
Her chief object, though, was to get
Ray to send Lenora away from the
mansion Immediately.
The waltz was soon over, and the diff
ferent couples were leaving the hall,
some going to one part of the mansion,
while othsrs went back to the drawing
room.
won't you 60 through the conserva-
tory with me, Miss Rice? I know that
you are fond of flowers, for-you-you
are so much like one yourself"
Lenora cast quick, keen glance at
her partner, and he soon saw that he
was treading on forbidden ground.
!, The conservatory was empty when
they entered. When the music ceased
Rsy and yeannette were at the farther
end of the hall from the entrance,
while Lenora and Charley were just
opposite the door.
They soon reached the conservatory,
and we're far down the walks, and al
most hidden among the flowers and
foliage when Ray and Jeanette en-
tered.
AsJeannette saw no one, she presumed
that they were alone, ana as they
walked along through the aisles she
leaned very heavy and lovingly on
Rays
Hall, who Is that young gentle
man with Miss Nathan?"
Charley looked at her in perfect
tonishmsnt. "Why, don't you know
him-know his name? He is Raynard
Bristol, the master of the mansion"
In an instant Lenora's face was gnast-
" pale. Even her lips were colorless.
Now, it all flashed through her mind !;
what had happened, and who it was
that she had given her heart to that
very nightl
She knew that her face was pale,
and that her hands fairly trembled with
emotion, but she did not want Charley
to see how terribly she was shocked.
and with tottering footsteps she started
for recess Just off one Of the main
walks. Charley followed her, wonder
ing at her strange actions.
"Lets sit here and rest little, for l
feel a little tired, and the air seems SO
close in this room." :.
As they sat there they were entirely
hidden from view by the heavy vines
that had grown up and completely
covered the fine iron wire OF the frame.
They were quietly sitting there,
Lenora e1erting every nerve IN her
body to calm herself, and Charley was
feasting his eyes on the strange, be.
yitching beauty of the girl In front OF