The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-08-13

! the coast will be clear,
soon forget her. Yes, I can
easily see how I can end my
[odbles in this respect. I shall per-
senate Aunt Marguerite as nearly as
possible, and some night, and before he
sees her, will steal into her room and
smother her to death with the pillows.
ut will beIthought that she died of
heart disease, caused from the effects OF
the poison.
YES, that is what I shall do, for it is
the best and quickest way that I can
now think Of.
The time passed quickly to all e1-
cept the anxious, impatient master Of
the house. He was sad, yet happy, in
the thought that he would soon see his
idol.
As Lenora grew better her mind
would wander back to the night of the
ball, and to that happy hour which she
had spent singing to the man that she
now so madly loved, but then knew not.
A few days before it was time for
Ray to be admitted to Lenora's apart
ments, and as Mrs. Bristol sat by the
bed side, she noticed strange, sad e1-
preston rest for moment only on her
little patients face.
"My dear, do you feel well enough to
receive visitor in a few days? Ray
would like to come in and see how you
are, and I told him that he might when
you were strong enough"
At the mention of that name Lenoras
face colored slightly, and she hesitated
for some time before she spoke.
"I-I-should be very much pleased
indeed -but-I-I would rather he
would not. do not want to see him
any more, no, never-never again. |
must 60 away from here as soon as I
can get up" ,.;,
"Why do you talk 50, my poor little
darling? Do you think that he wants
you to leave this house2"
"Oh, do not know, I am sure, but
I feel so strangely sad of late, and
there is such longing in my heart for
a-something that do not know what.
And as she spoke a great, hot tear
trickled down her pale, soft cheek.
Mrs. Bristol stopped and kissed the
tear away, gently lifting the soft. slken
curls from the little snow white brow.
"Do not feel sod, Lima, for neither Of
us wants you to ever leave the house."
She then quickly glided from the
room, but returned Immediately and
hid behind the heavy silken eartains OF
Lenora's bed.
@Oh, Ray, Ray, my only love, my
king! Gan it be 80 that you do really
love me?
II dare not believe it for one memen,
or my joy would be great.
"Can it be possible that my sweet
dreams are true, and that face that
haunts me day and night, and those
eyes that look into mine and say that
they love me?
"Ahl What would I not give to hear
it from his own lips. Yoy know that
sou have my heart, Bay, and that my
life and every thought are yours, and
now to think that I must 60 away from
you! It almost breaks my heart yet |
cannot remain here, and how can I
live without you? Does it not seem
almost too cruel. Ray, that God should
have sent me here and allowed me to
love you when you are 30 far above me,
who am nothing but peLniless. home
less girl My Father IN heaven, please
let me die, that my soul and body
may be at rest"
She closed her eyes, while the hot
tears went trickling one by one down
the pale cheeks into the snow-white
pillow.
Mrs. Bristol had heard every word
that had passed Lenora's lips in such
sweet pathetic whispers. She then
silently glided from the room and went
to the library in search of Ray.
He was not there, and she went to his
room, but tho door was locked, and no
one was within.
She was somewhat disappointed and
went to her own room, supposing that
Ray had gone to the city for an hour
or 30.
"Ah! This is q little strange; a let
ter for me from Ray. Let me see.
And she hastily opened the letter that
read:
DEAR MorHEn-This suspense Is killing
me. l am now going to Chicago for few
days-perhaps week. By the time I ro-
turn my little lovo will be better. and then I
must know my fate. As she told you that
she was in that city before her mysterious
appearance here. It may possibly be that I
can get some Glow to her past life. RAY.
"Ray, Ray, my dear boy, why have
you gone away just now, when I am
able TO comfort you so much? She has
not spoken as yet of her past life, but
I am positive you have nothing to fear,
that there is no barrier between you
and your love. She, perhaps, will tell
you when she knows how you feel to-
ward her, and the worst concerning her
cannot be bad"
[To BE CONTINUED