The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-02

Hannah than in the old mans
questions. "My name is Horace, so
was her fathers"
"Horacc, Horace,' repeated the
old man, "Shr's my granddaughter
thcn.'
"Your grand daughter" the young
silently unclaspcd the luckeS from
his watch chain and handed il
to his questioncr, vino looked
at it long and silently. Come
out of here" said Mr.. Dalrymple, for
such was the name of the old man.
Lawyer Hilton, wondering much,
but the legal instinct of prudent ST.
lence overcoming all other feeling led
the way to his office.
"YOu are engaged 10 Hannah Dali
rynpie":
eyes. sir" said Horace, proudly.
"Why don't you marry her ~
croakcd the old man.
"She won't have me not ut least un-
til clients get 10 he more numerous"
said Horace, laughing.
"Shc's my granddaughter, then.
Tell her that if send for her to come
dive hcar"!' at the same time
handing him Il card with this address
on it, II. Dalrymple, Cherry Hill.
And if | send for you, you come, too.
And with that the old man walked
out and Oft, and Horace remembered
lust rs he saw him driven rapidly
down the street to the railway station,
that he still had Hunnah's locket
which contained her fathers picture.
Fastening back to the Court House,
he escorted Hannah home. She was
greatly surprised at his recital, for
Aunt Lou had told her of her grand
fathers having disowned her father,
because he married contrary to his
wishes. Aunt Lou had written to
him once, but no answer ever came,
and Hannah had grown up without
any definite knowledge Of her people.
Two Sabbath mornings thereafter
an old darkey presented himself at
Aunt LOUIS saying he had Il message
for Miss Dalrymple. Hannah spent
her SabbathS ut home. Handing her
the locket, he said,
"Ole Master, looking to die,
and sont me to tell you TO
come. Use done tole Mars Horace
Hilton.
"Hannah consulted with Aunt
Lou, who decided that Sidney
must accompany her. Preparing a
lunch for them Aunt Lou babe them
good bye. Beyond Jonesboro they
overlook Horace on horseback, VINO
of course exchanged places with Sid
ney.
Just about dusk they could see in
the distance Il large brick house sur
rounded by gigantic oaks. Old Joe
stop ped then at his cabin. Sat table
out in the msonlit yard and gave them
q good supper prepared by his better
half, Judy, who talked in stage whls-
pers to old Joe, "she's born lady,
Ole Marster would er done justice to
Mars Horace's darter arore now II 1t
hadn't a been for Mars john"
Old Joe went off, and coming back
beckoned to them. Following him
they went past the spring and the gin
house, then into a little side gate over
Il brick pavement to a piazza. Their
guide knocked on the door softly and
entered without waiting for an an
swfr Horace and Sidney removed
their hats and bowed silently and
were, motioned t seats. Hannah
stood looking ut her grandfather, who
was propped up 10y pillows, in Il sort
of inva!id's chair. "Blood is thicker
than water" they say, and great
wave Of tenderness swept over her,
and stepping forward, she said,
"Fm Hannah Craig Dalrymple grand
father" and she stopped and kissed his
withered check, and gently stroked his
white hair, "can l do anything for
your comfort ?"
No, child, I thought I was
right then. I now know I was
wrong" he said with effort.
ado not speak Of it, grandfather,'
ami she kissed the withered check
again.
"Just like your grandmother in
ways and face, ah, she was very beau
tiful. John never named any of his
girls after her. Hannah was too old
fashioned for them"
Giving Hannah II cuciously shaped
key, he told her to go into the next
room and unlock white pine box.
The box and its contents were hers.
Hannah did so, and found only u
pile of carefully folded copies of the
"News." She opened the first paperto
look at the ,lac and there lay green
back bills, tens, twenties, tiftics.
She lifted paper after paper, each con-
tanned its precious treasure. Hannah
came back with tears in her bright
eyes, "l'ou are SO kind, grandfather"
she murmured holding his withered
hand in her soft palms.
Then the old man made 1t known
that he wished Hannah and Horace
to be married in his presence. He
could not get ut his will to destroy it,
for John had it, but Horace must
see that Hannah got her share of his
property. Then giving Hannah an
other key he told her he wished her to
be married in her grandm0ther's we'd
ding gown, and m0tioned to Judy to
"go and assist her young mistress"
Opening the trunk, an exclamation
of delight escaped Hannah's lips.
There lay the rich satin which had
once been white, now creamy with
age. 1t was Il kind of princess robe
with beautiful lace in the square-cut
neck. CIaspfng bracelets, apdnecklace
of pearls around her shapely throat
she was ready. elbow heavy this
dress is" she said mentally. Mean
while grandfather had sent Joe for
John and family, and Il Visiting min
lister to come into his room. Then an
nouuciug the purpose for which he
desired their presence, Horace and
Hannah walked out of the inner room.
Iobu D,lrymnlp was dumbi'OundeQ.