The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-09-03
Lost Lima:
Or
TEE BITTER And THE SWEET,
A Tale Of Two Continents
By MRS. NINA LAWSON.

By MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER XXVL.-[CoNTNUED.I
Rays face was now oolorless, and he
looked into Lenora's eyes with such
, sad, longing, loving look that told
more than words what he was endur-
ing.
"No, no, my little darling; cannot
look at it in that light. 1t makes no
difference to me about your wealth OF
the nnmber of friends that you have.
love you with my whole soul and
heart, and you are the only woman in
the world that ever loved. I want
you for my wife, for you only can make
me happy, and by rejecting me cannot
you see that you are making one poor
creature miserable for life? AS true
IS God is my judge, I'll marry no
other woman, for you have my heart,
and can have all that possess. Do
not be 80 cruel, Lima, my little love,
and turn me out in the world, a cold,
heartless man. I believe you love me;
don't you?"
The agony that was in his voice and
the pale, haggard look on his face al
most broke Lenora's heart, for she
knew that he loved her and that he was
her own hearts idol.
The color again came to her face,
and her scarlet lips quivered as she put
her little soft arms around his neck
and softly whispered in his ear:
"Yes, have always loved you, and
do you really mean It ALP"
Ray quickly tore her from him, and
held her out in his great strong arms as
IL she were only q doll, still looking her
in the eyes.
"Do you mean It, and is the victory
nine2"
She smiled back the answer, eyes. {"
He quickly drew her to his bosom in
long, loving embrace, as if he could
never allow her to leave that spot.
He knelt there on the snow, still
holding Lenora in his arms, while the
moon shone down upon the happy
lovers, almost as bright as the sun, as
If it too were happy.
"Oh, God of heaven and of earth,
you have given me more than I de-
serve! She is mine, and my cup is
full"
How long they knelt there neither
of them knew. The poor little girl
made no effort to escape that loving
embrace now, but lay there in Rays
strong arms, as peaceful and happy as
babe resting on its moehers bosom.
Her great, star-like eyes were shin
ing brighter than the stars above their
heads, as she looked upon Rays radi-
ant, upturned face.
Some one had gone into the blue
rooms and turned up the gas, no doubt
in search of the little runaway, the
bright light from the window flashed
in Rays face, and reused him from his
happy dream.
BE rose quickly and walked to the
mansion, still pressing closely to his
bosom his little treasure.
No one as yet had discovered that
Lenora had left the mansion but Mrs.
Bristol. It was she who had turned
up the gas in the blue room, and then
searched everywhere fol- the missing
girl; but to no purpose. AS she had left
the rooms-feeling she scarcely knew
how-on her way to her own apart
ments, Ray came springing up the
long stairs, two and three steps at O
time, while Lenora clung with her lit
tie arms closely to his neck.
At sight of the strange scene and
Rays radiant face, Mrs. Bristol's face
became ghastly white, and it would
have been impossible for her to tell
just how she felt.
"Raynard Bristol! What in the name
of common sense do you mean, and
where and how did YOU find herr"
"Oh, mother, mother! am the hap
piest man in all this wide, wide world /;
for your own saBe, Keep quiet; this
precious bundle in my arms is more
than all the world to me. She is limo.
cent of even awrong thought, and here
Is the proof. Follow me, and read TO.
yourself, for I am too happy to talk. "
Ray handed his mother letter that
he received that evening.
He had gone to his Office Just after
his arrival in the city and then received
the letter that made him happier than
If it had been q draft for million
dollars.
He hastened to the blue-room and
his mother followed.
"Why, Ray, this seems very strange,
indeed. I can't understand"
"Read it, mother, read it, and then
you will know all, and can see why
am the happiest man in all the world.
He still held Lenora in his arms and
was pacing up and down the room. He
was drunk. with happiness, and clung
to his little love as if she was his life.
Mrs. Bristol read the letter, which
Allied her sad, aching heart with bound
less joy, for it cleared their Lima from
all she had been charged with.
We know this letter was genuine
and that its writer told the truth. 1t
vas as follows: