The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-11-02

the realization of his AMBITIOUS dreams
seemed assured, for he was not ignorant
of the incompatible value of woman's
assistance. and knew all the power of
those small but cumulative efforts, and OF
those subterranean movements which as-
simulate feminine influence to the secret
and irresistible influences of nature.
Another point gained-he had estab-
lished q secret between that pretty woman
and himself, and had placed himself on
q confidential footing with her.
He had gained the right to keep secret
their clandestine words and private con-
versation, and such . position cleverly
managed could aid him to pass very
agreeably the time necessary to gain q
residence in Connecticut, and the period
occupied in his political canvass.
Leland, on entering the house, sat
down to write to Mr.. Sweetland to inform
him of the opening of his operations,
and admonish him to keep quiet. From
that day he turned his attention to follow
inc no the two persons who could control
his election. :.
His policy ss regarded Mr.. Metcalf was
ss simple as it was clever. Profting by
his growing familiarity as q neighbor, he
vent to school. as it were. to the old gen.
tleman farmer, and gave nlm up the d.
rection of the Sedley farm. By this quiet
compliment, enhanced by his captivating
courtesy, he advanced insensibly in the
good graces of the old man.
After some weeks of almost daily in
tercourse, Mr.. Metcalf graciously praised
his young neighbor as good fellow, an
excellent musician, An smiable associate;
but to make him q Congressman, saw
some things which might disquallfy him.
The young man, however, did not worry
himself 90 much about the matter as
MIGHT be supposed, for his second smbi-
ton had superseded his grst; in other
words, his fancy for Clara Denton had
become more ardent and more pressing
than his love for political preferment.
We are compelled to admit, not to his
credit, that he first proposed to himself
to gain the affections OF his fair neigh
Dor as q simple pastime, as an interesting
adventure, and, above all, as . work Of
art. which was extremely difficult and
would rebound to his great honor.
To accomplish his object, he trusted to
his own principles, to the destinations Of
his manner and his previous successes.
Instinctivelv he knew that the ordinary
forms of eallantry would not answer with
her. All his art was to surround her with
absolute respect, and to leave the rest to
time and the growing intimacy Of each
day.
There was something very touching to
Clara Denton in the reserved and timld
manner of this mauvais sujet In her pres
ence-the homage Of a fallen spirit, as
though ashamed Of being such, in pres
ence of spirit of light.
Never, either in public or in their tete-
a-tetes, was there q jest, word, or
look which the most sensitive virtue
could fear. ..
This young man, ironical with all the
rest of the world, was serious with her.
From the moment he turned toward her,
his voice, face and conversation became
as serious as though he had entered a
church. :,
he had great deal Of wit, and he used
and abused it beyond measure IN con-
versations in the presence OF Clara Dem
ton, as though he were making display
Of fireworks in her honor. But on com
ing to her he was suddenly extinguished,
and WAS ali submission and respect.
Every woman who receives from su-
periur man such refined fattery as this
doe, not necessarily love him. but does
like him.
In the shadow Of the perfect security in
which Leland had placed her, Clara Den
ton could not but be pleased in the COM
psny of the most distinguished man she
had ever met, Ond who had, like herself,
the taste for art, music and high culture.
Thus these innocent relations with o
Young man whose reputation was rather
eauivocal could not but awaken in the
heart of Clara q sentiment, or rather an
illusion, which the most prudish could
not condemn.
Libeltines offer to vulgar women IN
attraction which surprises, but with
springs from o very blamable curiosity.
TO woman of society they offer another,
more noble yet not less dan eroas-it is
the attraction of reforming them. It is
rare that virtuous women do not fall into
the error of believing that it is for Vir-
tues sake alone they love them.
Such, in brief, we're the secret sympa-
thies whose slight tendrils inteltwined,
blossomed and lowered little by little in
this soul, as tender as it was pure.
Warren Leland vaguely foresaw all this;
that which he had not foreseen WAS that
he himself would be caught in his own
snare. and would be sincere in the role
which he had so judiciously adopted, as
Clara Denton captivated him.
Seeing her every day, with that child
like intimacy which The country encour-
ages enhancing the gr ceful movements
Of this accomplished person, ever self
possessed and equally prepared for duty
or for pleasure-as animated as passion,
vet as Severe as virtue-he conceived for
her genuine worship. Mind, it was not
respect, for that requires the effort of be-
lieving in such merits, and he did not
wish to believe. He thought Clara Den
ton was born so.
TTn pE CONTINUED