The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-05-07


The face that pressed the window pane
was fair, with laughing blue eyes, bright
rosy cheeks and pretty features; and the
| tangled masses of brown curls that fell
over the fair, rounded shoulders were
rich in color and profuse in their waxy
luXuriance.
Lily had habit when alone of think
ing aloud, or rather, of talking to her.
self. and as she stood there, she said,
softly:
GLOW white and pure it looks! I
love the snow I wonder if mother will
let me 90 out tonight. She is so care
full of me! 1t is so funny, too, for her to
worry so, when am never sick; | sup
pose it's because poor sister Annie died
of consumption. Oh, how cold it is"
And having arrived at this conclusion,
she turned from the window and pro-
ceeded to dress herself for breakfast.
She was coauettish little beauty, this
heroine of mine, and her admirers were
almost without number, for she was not
only gay, bewitching and beautiful, but
the only living child of a wealthy mer-
chant. Her conquests in society, far
from making her proud or vain, seemed
forgotten the moment she entered her
own home; and her chcery laugh, gay
songs and happy face were truly the
lights of that stately house.
Her mother was an invalid, suffering
from chronic complaint that kept her
in her room years iu and out, so Lily was
the housekecper. The servants followed
her with their eyes as she fitted to and
fro in the big house, calling her their
pretty little sunbeam, and many were the
blessings whispered for her.
1t was not in the gay circle where she
reigned as belle that DR.. Chester learned
to love Lilly Morton; it was in the pretty,
cheerful room where her gentle, suffering
mother claimed his professional care.
Day after day he found her there, max
ing her mothers life bright in defiance of
pain, by loving, tender care and joyous,
happy conversation. An hour would Of
ten fly by unheedcd by the doctor, as he
sat beside the invalid's couch and listened
to the sweet voice that made such music
to his heart. He did not know, but he
guessed, whose gentle pity placed the
easy chair ready for his poor crippled
form, and the inmost core on his heart
thrilled to the low voice that greeted
him, and the touch of the soft hand that
led him to his seat.
1t was the morning of the bright win
ter's day after the mig ght of the struggle,
and Lily sat beside her mother, waiting
for the doctors visit. Her bright blue
morning robe suited we'll her glowing
beauty, and the little hands rivaled in
whiteness the soft wool they were knit
ting into pretty shapes. The doctors
chair stood ready for him; but the long
morning passed, and he did not come.
Late in the afternoon he called, stay
ing only long enough to attend to his
patient, and then, for the first time, de-
clined his seat, bowed and left the house.
Weeks passed, and still these hurried
visits were all that he paid; but the task
told fearfully upon him. The pale cheek
grew paler, and the bent form dropped
more and more, Finally the day passed
and he did not come, but news came
that DR.. Chester was i'll and not able to
leave his bed.
Mrs. Morton lay on her couch, think
ing of 'poor Harry" as she always
called him, when Lily stole softly to her
side.
"Motherr' and the once laughing
voice was now so low and full of sadness,
and Mrs. Morton noticed that her cheek
was unusually pale-''I am going to see
Mrs. Chester. II want to inquire If
the doctor is very ILL.,.
She stopped, for her voice was choked
and her eyes were full Of tears.
"Why, Lily! Lily, my child, what
ails you?"
"Oh, mother, mother" sobbed Lily,
~ was always afraid he would die, he
is so good, so learned, so different from
other men. He has grown so pallid
lately, and his face is so sad! Oh,
mother, what shall I do if he dies9"
Mrs. Morton was utterly amazed. She
saw how deep her daughters love was
for this young cripple, and her mother
heart was troubled, for the doctor was
poor in worldly goods, besides being a
cripple, and then he had given no token
of love, spoken no word to her or the
little sobbing beauty beside her, indica-
tive of preference for her above other
women. But, like wise women, she
concluded to treat the passion tcnderly,
and trust to time for its cure.
"You may go, certainly, Lily" she
said. "Give my love to Mrs. Chester,
and ask if there is anything 1 can do for
them"
Again the bright sunlight streamed
into the chamber of the young physician.
The cheek that lay. upon the snowy pill
lows of the bed mocked their whiteness,
and the thin hands Seemed almost trans.
parent in the bright light. The doctors
eyes were closed, but he did not sleep.
Light steps crossed the room, and he
heard his sisters voice.
"Come in, Lily; he is asleep"
Lily! His heart gave sudden throb,
but he lay still; then the sweet voice he
loved fell on his ear.
"Stay here minute, Lily" said Mrs.
Chester, "till I send Sarah for some
medicine I shall want tonight"
They were alone together. The voice
he loved grew trembling in its own emo
ton as she murmured:
80 God! spare his life! How can
| live If hp 1ies2"