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

little encouragement, tor some slight
return for the entire love and devotion
I offer you?
"For heavens sake, my beautiful an.
gel. have little mercy upon mel"
He had fallen upon his knees, with
outstretched arms, while the brigh,
light shone full upon his pale, upturn,
ed face. It was even ashen in hue. and
was drawn with pain; but to the keer
eye of that pure, innocent girl there
was something wanting, and she only
replied:
"You have my answer"
Every we'll. I will give you time tc
reconsider the matter, and then yor
NAV not give such cruel answer. But
there is the dinner bell. and We must
20 to The drawing room to meet Ger
tana. No doubt she is waiting for YOU
Just then Gertana began to play a
march upon the piano, whose melodies
rang through the whole cottage.
"Ah! There is Gertana now"
"She plays beautifully, and must
understand music as well as its mean.
ing"
Lenoras last remark was heard by
the player, although it was not intended
for her ear. AS Sylvester and Lenora
entered the back parlor, for there il
was that Gertana had been playing, she
looked up, while a shudder passed
through her frame.
II am lost" thought she. "Such
loveliness I have never seen before;
she may possibly yield to his pleadings
yet, but hope not. I can now rest
easy on one point, for know now that
she is not his wife, although he told
me so with his own lips. How bravely
she defended herself from that lying,
cowardly wretch. I know she will
never become his wife unless forced on
peril of her life or honor"
"Gertana, here is the lady I was
speaking of to you; she is now the
mistress of this house."
The dethroned, injured woman rose
and advanced to meet them. She placed
her soft, white hand in that of the sad
little prisoner, and said:
II hope, madame, that We may be
friends"
Lenora bowed her shapely golden
head, but said nothing. She did not,
as yet, understand how to accept Ger
tana-as friend or foe. AS the two
beauties stood there in the gas-light
they formed a striking and beautiful
contrast.
Gertana's dress was beautiful old-gold
satin, trimed with the richest laces, and
ornaments of fine garnet. Around hel
bare white throat was placed a neck
lace of sparkling garnets.
The second bell rang for dinner, and
the trio entered the dining hall.
AS rich a dinner as was ever cooked
was served that night on Sylvester
Noll's beautifully decked table.
After an endless number of dishes,
wines, and creams of the choicest
kinds were served, Gertana inquired:
"Are you fond of music, Mrs. Noll ?"
Her question had rather a peculiar
effect upon Lenora and Sylvester.
"Miss Girindani, you must have mis-:
understood my name; it is Rice, and
not Noll."
An ashen pallor overspreai Noll's
face at Lenora's reply. He could not
utter word.
Gertana saw Noll's embarrassment,
and said no more upon that subject.
In fact, there was but little else said
during the remainder of the dinner.
When dinner was over they returned
to the parlor. Lenora wandered off tc
a distant corner and sank YEARLY upon
sofa that sat near an open window.
"Ah! There are the stars in the
clear, cloudless heavens. Why Gar
they shine so brights~and there are nc
clouds, when I am so burdened and
weary. It seems that God has forgot
ten me; why is it, oh, you twinkling
stars, that I am torn from my home
and brought here, poor, miserable
prisoner. Have done wrong? Have
sinned in the sight of God?
"Forgive me, Father, if I have, and
smile upon me cnce more; release me,
please, from this, worse than death, o1
take me now to my home on high"
The tears were falling fast from he,
sad, beautiful eyes. Noll saw her SAD
upturned face and quickly came to hel
side.
"Miss Lenora, would you not like to
hear some music? Gertana will play
and sing some; perhaps that will chez,
you up little, for I see you seem
rather melancholy"
Before Lenora could answer him
Gertana was at the piano playing one
of her sweet Italian songs that she
sang in her happy home in Naples.
The weary little prisoner listened,
while not muscle of her body moved.
She was lost-lost to her surrounding.
and seemed to drift far away into
happier sphere. As the music ceased
she gazed around her with sad, dis
appointed look upon her marble-ike
face.
"Please, Miss Girindani, repeat your
last song Or sing another. I enjoyed il
so much"
Thanks, madam; but if I am not
mistaken, one so fair as you can sing
much better than /.
"No, indeed, although I am very
fond of music, and did attempt to
study it while at school, for certain
.,.oz oor,-ol1oJ ~ Iro,o 4bn