The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-08-20

Rcr before this season. She Is
Ifops with her aunt or some ell
relative-a pale and fragile look
ing girl, but as beautiful as dream.
And-I love her."
The old squire nodded his head.
81 can trust you, my son." said he,
"and whoever you choose to bring here
will be as welcome rs flowers in May"
While all this time, the artist, strolling
idly along to observe the various groups,
came upon pale faced girl in black-a
girl with large, melting wine brown eyes,
straight, pure features, and tender, dark
hair, overhanging her forehead like o
mist of jet.
"Miss Ravenell" he cried, in amaze
ment."
eyes, Miss Ravcnel,'" she smiled
back. "You are astonished to see me
here. But the doctor declared that hop
picking would be the very thing for me.
So Aunt Verna brought me, and here we
are. And I am really accomplishing Won
ders in the hop-picking lincl Sit down
here and eat some of these delicious hot
house grapes. They are sent to US daily
by an unknown benefactor. That is, as
Aunt Verna smiled meaningly, "not ex-
actly unknown. 1t is Squire Durell's
son. He will perist in sending all these
delightful things, although I tell him,
over and over, that I have no need of
them. I believe he thinks I am starv-
ing dressmaker, or something of the
kind" with blush and smile. ''But,
oh, he is so goodl And I like him so
much! Now show us, please, what you
have been sketching."
Mr.. Durrell came down, in the warm
red glow of the summer sunset, to the
willow-shaded curve of the river where
Miss Ravenel liked to sit when her days
work was done.
81 have brought you some of the rare
orchids from the conservatory" said he.
"You told me the other day that you
liked flowers"
81 am so much obliged to YOU" said
she gratefully. "But, Mr.. Durrell, I
have something to tell YOU"
"Stop q minute" said he, II have
something to tell you-that I love YOU
that I want to make you my wife.
Dear Miss Ravenel, are you surprised
at thisa Have you not seen it growing
out of my heart by dcgrees' My father
is old and in6rm, but he is ready to
welcome you with all paternal love,
and"
"You really love me-" she cried, with
wide-open eyes. "Me, poor,pale, little
hop .picker9" :, -,
"Iou, my queen and my ideal"
"Thcn," she said, all smiles and
bushes, II think I ought to repay you
by loving you little. And I think I
do, nay, I am quite certain of it."
"0Iy darling! Oh, my dariing!" he
murmured.
"But wait, you have not heard what I
am," she urged.
"You are Miss Ravenel, from Phila-
delphia."
IL am General Ravenel's daughter. I
am here by the doctors orders, not be-
cause I need the daily wages of a hop
picker. But you won't like me any the
less, will you, for thata'
Mr.. Durrell stood amazed. Miss
Ravcnel, the Philadelphia beauty, the
great hciress!
"We are stopping at the Clancliff Ho.
tel" said she. 81 have my phaeton and
ponies there. I will drive up to the
house to see your father, since he cannot
come to me-"
"But I thought you were poor girl,
hiring one of those tents at so much a
night" said Daniel, in perplexity.
"That's where you were Mistaken"
said Miss Ravenel, smiling. 'But the
hop p-picking he's done me deal of good.
Aunt Verna says my cheeks are redder
than they used to be; and I must be bet
ter, because -"
"Wcll2"
"Becausc I feel so happy" said Mary
Ravenel, coloring like rose.
And so Daniel Durrell found his life's
treasure out among the garlanded hop
poles.-The Ledger.