The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-16

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time and money trying to learn; never
theless the music sounded very sweet,
and SIS it rang through the rooms and
halls Of the great mansion it seemed to
calm Lenora, and broughta sweet smile
to her pale lips.
II see you are fond of music, Lima;
do you know how to play?"
Yes. There is nothing on earth
that enjoy more, for, when I am low
spirited, and nervous, and almost weary
q lie, 1t Is music, sweet music, that
calms my weary spirit and sootaes my
nerves; but I cannot play. Unfortu-
hately, I have scarcely had an oppor-
tunity to study music"
"As soon as you are we'll enough to
go down stairs, you will let me see how
well you can play, won'tyou, dear?"
Lenora said nothing, but in an in
slant her cheeks were scarlet, and her
great dreamy eyes gazed straight into
the CRATE.
"You need not worry or care, Lima;
if you have not been instructed prop
erly, I will not ask you to play for any
one but myself. My son, Raynard, is
very fond of music, and We have given
Ueannette every opportunity Of becom-
ing good musician"
Lenora made no reply, and was still
gazing into the fire; she did not seem
to realize that her friend had been
talking to her, for she had been think
ing of the few sweet hours she had
spent with Gertana in her captivity.
Mrs. Bristol looked steadily at Lenora
when she mentioned her sons name, to
detect, if possible, change in the ex-
preston of the countenance, but to her
great Joy her little pet did not seem to
notice her.
IT feel so happy here; it seems like
Heaven, now that am free and safe"
These words were intended to be un-
spoken thoughts, but in her happiness
Lenora allowed them to escape her
lips before she thought. That was one
of her little failings, and how hard she
had tried to quit it, but all In vain.
Mrs. Bristol saw by the expression on
Lenora's face that that speech had not
been intended for any ones ears.
"Ah, poor child! No doubt she has
some sad secret of the past that she
does not wish to be known; no matter,
I will say nothing about it. II she
wishes to take me into her confidence,
well and good; if not, she is brave
girl to bear her sorrow so well.
As they sat there, the last rays of
the bright golden sun kissed the fore
head of this dear old lady, and lin
gered for 9 moment on Jenora's pale
gold curls.
The two spent lovely, peaceful
hour in the gathering twilight, while
the bright glow OF the fire in the CRATE
lighted up Lenora's pale yet happy
face.
By and by Mrs. Bristol went to din
ner, and Lenora returned to the pleas
ant chamber; it would soon be time
for the little patient to retire.
"In about week, dear, you will be
able to 60 to room of your own, and
Ihave sent for good, trusty maid for
yo1."
THANK you. You are too kind, my
dear, good friend"
The week soon passed around, and
the day came for Lenora to take pos
session of her own apartments.
She had grown quite strong by this
time, and, as the days went by, Mrs.
Bristol saw with delight that her pa
TENTS cheeks were no longer so very
pale, but that a delicate pink color
rested there, which only added to the
beauty of her face.
II will give you the blue rooms, Lima,
and this is the day for you to take pos
session, isn't it?"
Eyes, to-day is the day, I think. I
know T shall be pleased with them, and
you are so good to me-"
"Neyer mind that, dear. It only
gives me pleasure to see the lovely pink
color in your cheeks. That repays me
for my trouble, twice over; there is
your maid, Cecile, waiting to show you
your rooms.
"Go now, and see how you like
them"
Lenora followed Cec1e along the
broad corridor; hers was the second
suite from Mrs. Bristol's, and the rooms
were in the southwestern part OF the
main building.
As the maid threw open the door for
her little mistress to pass in, glow OF
bright colors. pink. blue. and silver.
met Ienora's eyes. one went in,
through all the rooms, looking like
little queen, in her flowing pink wrap
per and satin slippers.
"The mistress said I should sec
whether you liked your wardrobe OF
not?"
Lenora looked at the long row Of
beautiful dresses that were for her, and
from her dear, kind friend.
"Yes, Cecil, everything is all right;
and how very kind Mrs. Bristol is.
Oh, God is so good to me, and am 80
unworthy!"
She went back into her own private
parlor. To her there never was any.
thing more beautiful.
From the west windows she could see
the lake, now partly coyered With ice
and snow, while far beyond the snow
crust was the dark blue water. From
the south windows she could see the
long, broad drive that led from the
Bristol estate to the city, and on each
side of the drive was row of tall maple
and pine.
A guitar and piano had been placed
in her parlor; there ueemed to be moth.
ing wanting for her amusement and
comfort, and, in fact, she had every.
thing her heart could wish for, and
what was more to her than all else, she
was free.