The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-05-28

| iron will to discover all concerning
NolIs future movements that was pos
sible.
Suddenly he seemed to awaken from
his pleasing dream, and returning to
his desk, he took up the unwelcome
yet welcome letter to reread, which ran
as follows:
MILWAUKEE, Wis. Nov. l, 1875.
Col s. E. N, Chicago, I'LL:
Need your assistance here on important
business. Close case. Come Immediately.
TB.A,
This letter was folded and laid away.
He then read the rest that were lying
on his desk, and then did some writing,
which occupied about an hour. Ger
tana still remained silent behind tie
curtains, mentally noting all she saw.
Noll then took from his vest pocket
small key and opened the drawer that
contained the mysterious papers.
Without the least suspicion of keen
eve behind the curtain, he carefully
broke the seals and began to read;
while his eyes were devouring the won
derful secret, two great, dark, bright
eyes peering through the space between
them and the papers were also eagerly
scanning the pages. Though unable
to read them word by word, Gertana
was able to see sufficiently to under
stand partly what they were.
"Ah! Sylvester Noll. I fancy l am
now beginning to see through this
strange mystery
IF I am not much mistaken those
papers are Lenora's, and that they
mean much to your purse, providing
that-ahI yes-providing that she be-
comes your wife.
"Ah! now I have it. Am 1 much
mistaken, you heartless prosecutor?
And, more than that, I wager my last
cent that that innocent, unsuspecting
girl is not aware of the existence OF
such papers. =.
"No wonder thet she instinctively
shrinks from so contemplate person
as you. No, you shall not harm her IN
that manner. Those papers shall be
given to her, Lenora Churchill, Lima
Rice, or whatever her name may be. !
believe she is the proper person to pos.
sess them, and she shall have them, II
it costs me my lie.
Gertana then disappeared up the
long stairway to her own room, where
she remained in deep thought for some
time.
"There is the dinner bell, Nissou;
be quick and dress me, for want to see
Miss Ienora few moments before din
ner."
In very short time Gertana ap-
peared in the drawing-room, with a
lovely close-ftting evening dress. She
was looking radiant and very beautiful,
while her great dark eyes sparkled
with the fire of triumph. Her dress
was rich sea-green silk, beautifully
trimmed with costly beads and silk or
naments. 1t was low, square cut, with
fine white fluffy lace, flowing, zigzag
overdress, and the throat bare.
A diamond cross rested on her
marble-like bosom, now rising, now
falling; the cross was fastened by a
fine gold chain about the throat. In
her hair were carelessly placed q few
white rosebuds.
To the lady's chagrin, Lenora was
not in the drawing-room, and, in fact,
she had not left her own room. Gertana
then started to 60 there. but as she
neared the front parlor she heard male
voices.
To her great surprise Sylvester and
two of his city friends, Colonel Null
and Captain Hates, both members OF
the best society, were seated in the par
lor, gayly chatting upon society topics.
By means of stratagem Noll had sue
ceeded in working his way into the best
and wealthiest circles of the city.
To the world Gertana was his half
sister and an heiress.
Noll was possessor of considerable
lands in the Southwest, but, because of
peculiar attachment for the North, he
remained there in preference to the hot
South.
Lenora was o cousin of theirs, also a
great heiress, who had come to pay
them a long visit.
No one as yet had seen this cousin,
because, unfortunately, on her arrival
in the city she was suddenly taken i'll
consequently there had been no parties
or receptions at the "Noll Cottage"
But, now, they were planning fine
reception or party to introduce this fair
cousin into society. This dinner party
was the subject under discussion when
Gertana entered the parlor on her way
to Lenora's room.
"Good-evening, Gertana; you see, I
have given you little snrprise-not
Intentionally, in fact, for intended to
tell you that our friends were coming
To dinner, but forgot it."
"Good-evening, gentlemen; I am
very agreeably surprised. A treat of
this kind is very acceptable; as it is, |
am much better pleased than if I had
been expecting you, and then been dis
disappointed by your non-appearance. ="
After few minutes conversation,
Gertana left the parlor and went to
Lenora's room.
"Your sister looks beautiful tonight
Colonel"
@Thulks, gentlemen, replied Nol.
FRO BIZ CONTINUED