The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-23
4 Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER Xxx.
Lenora went tripping to her cham
Der after her cologne bottle, looking
like fairy sailing on the perfumed
zephyrs.
She bathed her face in the cologne
and soon returned to her friend, look
ing like a lovely flower on a bright
spring morning.
"I am ready now to 60 downstairs,
Mrs. Bristol" and the two started off,
arm in arm.
"Let us go to the library first, Lima;
you told me you were fond of reading,
and now, while you are here, select q
book that you will like, and then when
you return to your room the hours
won't seem so long"
Jeanette was sitting in the library
reading, but as they entered she looked
up from her book, while low, in
distinct murmur of How beautiful"
escaped her lips.
She was looking at the girl that she
inwardly hated. She knew that if heI
little tramp" remained at the mansion
she would no longer reign supreme
yet in her envy and jealousy she could
not help but admire Lenora. She had
been very busy getting ready for the
ball, and had paid no attention what
ever to the newcomer; and, in fact,
the naughty girl did not think her
little tramp" worthy her notice.
So she had not seen Lenora since
the first morning, as she lay on the bed,
more dead than alive, until now, when
she stood before her looking like q
fairy queen.
She scarcely noticed the little
tramp" but turned to her book, as un-
concerned as if one of the servants had
entered the room on some errand; but
as Mrs. Bristol and her pet went on
round the room, looking ut the great
shelves of books, Lenora was perfectly
happy, while Jeanette was growing
more miserable every moment.
She could not read, for at the end OF
every line there was beautiful face,
with such large, dreamy, dark eyes,
that feemed to speak to her and accuse
her OF false accusation.
Jeannette tried, time and again, to
become interested in her book, but all
over the pages that sweet, haunting
face would appear, and finally she flung
the book down upon the table with
bang, nd left the library to return to
her own apartments, but as she reached
the top of the stairs she stopped and
listened, caught her breath, and listen
ed again.
Some ono was playing on the piano,
and the music was the sweetest she had
ever heard.
"Pshaw! Who is that playing? It
can't lie that little tramp, for don't
believe she knows anything. She de-
pends on her face and form to carry her
through the world.
"Just to satisfy my curiosity, I will
slip down and see who it is.
1T is very strange if any OF the
guests have come and Aunt Marguerite
has not said anything to Inc about it..
She, too, was in the habit of talking
TO herself, ard kept up low murmur
all the way down the stairs but as she
stepped to the family sitting-room door,
and saw who was playing, the murmur-
ing ceased, and her face was white, even
to the lips. It was almost impossible
for her to believe her own eyes, but it
was actually her little tramp" that
was playing, and her aunt was sitting
by her side, lost 10 everything else ex-
cept the music that her little patien
vas getting oft of thai piano.
While Jeaanetts stood there, seeing,
yet unseen, Lenc1a began to sing one
of her favoritcs, and tie song happened
to be very difficult Piece, in French,
that the proud girl had spent many
hours trying to learn, but as yet she
had not succeeded; and here was that
miserable little castaway, that she
hated already, playing and singing that
very song, and without the music, too
No wonder that she trcmbled from
head to foot with fear that she was
losing ground, while this little tramp"
was gaining.
No wonder that Mrs. Bristol's heart
swelled with prido as she sat there,
listening to the music and looking at
the grace and beauty of her little
protege.
"Ah! What will my boy think of
her when he comes? Thank God! he
will soon be here, and then I shall
know. I am quite positive that she
remains, and I hardly dare think OF
the consequences, for love her so
now!"
And Jeanette. just outside OF the
room, was also thinking what would
happen when Raynard came home.
"Whst shall I do? Judging from
appearances, Auntie Marguerite has
taken her in. It can't be possible,
though, that she would be 30 blind and
foolish as to have such character
under her roof any longer than was
necessary. They will come into the
conservatory by and by, and I will go
there and wait until they come, for I
am now anxious to see more of this
newcomer, and I shall find out from
Auntie Marguerite what she intends to
do with her. If she positively insists
on keeping her here, of course I cannot
help it"
Jeannette strolIed on to the con-