The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-07

DID you NOT say InaI seut lor you!
Yes, of course" was the reply.
What! to come here-here, when my
brother was away, and on your wedding
sCertainly, Meta. You know you sent
me a note not half an hour ago."
Who brought it to you?"
Il haven't the least idea-a messenger
boy, suppose"
Let me see it, please"
Certainly, have it here in my vest
pocket-no, it must be in the other one.
by Joye!" he exclaimed, growing pale
and becoming extremely agitated, Its
gone. What if I dropped it at the Ver-
mons, and my wife has picked it up.
That wouldn't be pleasant, especially as
am not there to explain"
What did the note say?" asked Meta,
with forced calmness.
why, you ought to know better than l,
as you wrote It,, returned Eugene,
quickly. :,
NO matter, what did it say'" persisted
the girl. !.
1T said that you were very i'll, and that
Ray had suddenly been called out OF
town on a matter of the utmost import
ance, and that it was absolutely neces-
sary you should see me this verv night.
before 1 left tne city, as you had some:
thing to tell me that must hear from
your own lips.
1T said all that, did it?"
Yes, and and more.
What else2"
why, really, Meta, I can't remember
everything. And, indeed, i think there
was nothing more Of real Importance.
We'll, then" said the fair young girl,
very imprt ssively, "let me beg that you
will hurry back to your wife without the
loss of another moment OF time: IT you
have carriage in waiting, so much the
better; don't let the driver spare his
horses"
What do you mean, Meta?"
IF you have any regard for me-if you
have any love for your wife-don' T stop to
inquire, but fly to ber at once-hy as you
would if you knew her life and all her
earthly happiness were in dnnger."
Il can't comprehend you, Meta.
20 heavens! what stubborn mules men
can be if they have only mind to. Can't
you understand, Eugene, that l ne'er
wrote that note-that am utterly incapa-
bic of writing such thing to man not
an hour married. Do you not see that it
10 rne worK or an enemy-an enemy benz
apon wrecking your happiness, and per-
haps mine?"
aMerciful Father! can it be possible'
and yet -"
And vet you do not know all-no, nor
half. see it clearly now. Ray was ut
terly confounded when he received the
note that called him out of town this
evening. He did not understand it at all,
but felt that it might be something of the
last importance TO US. and 30 he went.
Yes" she added, Il can see it now
only too we'll. It was all piece of this
same plot to injure you. They thought
it necessary to get my brother out OF the
way. They mean to do you or your wife
some dreadful harm, therefore I beg you
to hasten back to her as fast as possible. y
You are right, Meta-yes, I am sure
you are right, as you always are, md l
will 60 at once, only let me first ask -"
NO, no! don't stay to ask anything.
How do you know but, having got YOU
out Of the way, your enemies have found
means Of communicating with her? or,
as you yourself suggested a little while
ago. how do you know but she has found
the note you 80 carelessly lost?"
by Jove! you're right, must be Oh
at once" and starting to his feet. he
seized his hat, and hurried to the door.
But here he stopped, with his hand upon
the knob.
We're going to Riverside tonight,
Meta" he said; 1but We shall be back in
the morning. And tomorrow evening
you and Ray must come and see US, then
we will talk over this strange matter.
"Ah," he added abruptly, Il begin to
think I can point out the very hand that's
working against us. But I mustn't stay
longer. Goodnight And, having at
last opened the door, he fastened across
the hall and down the stairway.
And so can point out the hand that
is doing this cruel work" murmured
Meta, as she slowly approached the win
dow and looked out into the night. Yes,
I could 60 right 10 her, and ssy-'you
are the one.' and.she would not dare deny
it."
She heard the front door close, and
she saw Eugene hurry down the steps.
across the walk, and enter the waiting
carriage.
She saw the driver slam to the door,
mount his box and drive away. And then
she saw O muffled female form cautiously
approach the house and regard it atten-
lively.
who can that be, and what does she
want here?" she involuntarily asked her.
self.
Before she could find an answer to her
question the woman had moved slowly
away and disappeared in the gloom.
Feeling weak and faint, Meta sought the
lounge and sank heavily upon it.
All! had she but remained at the win
dow moment longer how much o. sorrow
how much of misery-might have been
avoided!
ITO BE CONTINUED