The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-08-31

TNT poor sister" go,
MNSN pleaded his friend, now fairly
~ Ray Fielding removed his
hands, and in broken voice,
but without looking his ques.
toner in the face. said:
-The president himself came to me
tnis morning, and after few kind words
and cautious questions, intrusted me
with a very important commission and
large sum of money, at the same time as
surine me that on the faithful execution
of the trust might depend my future ad-
Tancement in the bank"
.Well?" asked Eugene, breathlessly.
well, I have been unable to consum-
mate the matter.
Good heavens! how is that?"
Il am short hundred dollars OF the
amount the president gave me"
What! is it lost?"
yes, it is lost; but, understand me,
Eugene, it is lost in such way that /
cannot possibly explain it as on accident.
That looks bad" mused his friend.
Then, after moments considerations:
When were you to make your report to
the PRESIDENT"
When he comes down to the bank in
the morning; that is, between nine and
ten o'clock.
And you see no way out of your diff.
culty2"
mo way whatever, unless, indeed, I can
get one hundred dollars between this and
eight o'clock tomorrow morning. In that
case might still have time to complete
the transaction and be ready to report.
Between this and eight o'clock to-
morrow morning." mechanically re-
reated Eugene.
Yes, but what's the use Of talking?
Where am I to get one hundred dollars,
or even half that amount? You see for
yourself, old fellow, I'm fairly done for. /"
Eugene Cleveland's face instantly be-
came es white as his friends. He saw
and fully appreciated the gravity of the
situation. But what was to be done?
Even if it were to save his life he
could not have got altogether twenty-five
dollars Of his own money, much less
four times that amount. And leaning
forward with his elbows resting upon o
desk, he gave himself up to profound re-
Aection.
Presently, raising his head, he put the
question:
Does any one else know Of this loss?"
, Not living eoul but yourself, was
the quick reply.
That's we'll; I'm glad Of that And
again he became silent.
= This lasted &c long that young Field
ing was forced to speak.
Don't you see any way out Of it?" he
asked, snxiously. Remember" he
easped, its not only my own bread and
butter that's at stake but my sisters liV-
ing is also in danger"
For o moment Eugene did not respond;
indeed, he hardly seemed to hear hi' At
length, with m effort H. SAID:
! y cap ssa ut one way. I must go to
My uncle, the director. The one, You
know, who obtained this situation for
me-"
What! Do you think he will help us?"
asked Ray, in great surprise.
Il mt say" rejoined Eugene, slowly
shaking his head, while a peculiar, an
almost frightened look, came into his
face. i can't say, but I can do no less
than try. And-and-yes. for your sake.
Ray, and for Metals, I'll do that this very
evening""
God bless you, my dear fellow" e1-
claimed Ray, grasping his hand and
shaking it warmly, you are, indeed, a
true friend" and the tears, which he
could no longer repress, started from his
eyes.
it necessary to work for living, had not
been frequent visitor at his uncle's
house, for he could but notice that his
august relative in no way exerted himself
to make his calls agreeable. He had
therefore, of late, resolved to wholly dis.
TO-. hnf MT for fhSA rao
son alone.
His uncle, the Hon. Sherwood Ellis
ton, had recently married a second time
and on several OF his later visits EuQene
had seen his new wife, who, he could bu
acknowledge to himself, interested hin
profoundly.
On t @ occasion Of his first maetir.
ner, wnen sne- entered the room ant
came slowly toward him, he was 81
startled by her wondrous grace ant
beauty that he almost forgot to rise from
his chair.
This glorious being. this magni6cen
lady, was but twenty-five years of age
She was tall and blonde, with deep-se
eyes under the shadow o. sweeping. darl
lashes. Thick masses Of hair framed
her somewhat sad but splendid brow; snt
she was richly, even perfectly dressed
her elegant garments draplrg her ike a.
antiqne statue.
In the days of her maidenhood herene
mics and rivals nicknamed her "tht
goddess" bee ,use they hated her, aut
WISHED to insinu ,te hat she pnt on gram
aizs. The name they gave her, however
was marvelously suitable.
When she walked you would have
imagined she had descended from pedes'
tai. The po of her head WAS like thai
Of the Greek Venus; her delicate, dilat'
ms nostrils seemed carved by a cunning
chisel from transparent ivory. Then 81
times she had q startled. lmost wild
look, such as is seen in the hunting
nymphs. She used mi urallv fine voice
with great effect, and had most assidu.
cusly cultivated q taste Tor art.
She was naturally 80 ,uciturn, one wa!
compe led to guess her thoughts; and
Eugene b d not heen in ber society long
before he found h'mse'f Iefec,iug as IL
what v as pass ng III that self-concentered