The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-11-23
less low, after discovering this gentIe-
manly taste!
All! but the end was not yet.
CHAPTER XVIII.

It required on the part Of Eugene Cleve.
land, this same mo,ning, an exertlon OF
Ill his courage to perform his duty as o
gentleman in receiving Mr.. and Mrs Le-
land upon their return home. But courage
had been for some time past his sole re-
naming virtue; and this, at least, she
sought never to lose. :.
He received them most gracefully-his
father aad mother-in.law IS they de.
icended from their carriage and entered
the broad hall.
Mr. Taland VOC rnnnh hrnkan in health.
rne trip, which 1t nad been hoped would
benefit, had only wearied him: and now,
IN again entering his own door, ne begged
20 be at once assisted to his sleeping
:oom.
Mrs. Leland fingered in surprise at not
seeing her daughter there to meet them,
and cast an inquiring look upon Eugene.
He informed her that she had been a
little indisposed since the preceding even
ng. Notwithstanding the precautions he
:ook in his language and by his smile, he
,ould not pre- ent Mrs. Leland from feel
Ing q lively alarm.
BE did not pretend, however, entirely
20 reassure her. Under his reserved and
measured replies. she felt the present-
ment Of some disaster. After having
pressed him with many questions. she
suddenly turned and hurried up stairs.
Flora, to spare her mother the first
,hock, had quilted her bed and dressed
herself; and the poor child had even put
ailittle. 70 uge on her pale cheeks. Eu-
sene, who had hastened after his mother
In-law, himself opened for her the door
Of her daughters chamber, and then
withdrew.
Allthat passed between them at first was
, silent interchange Of mutual aiesses.
Then the mother seated herself near
her daughter. drew her head on heI
BOSOM, and looked into the depths OF her
syes: ..
oh, nothing-n0tlIing hopelessl only
Iou must love your little Flo more than
ever. Will yuu not?"
Yes; but whyp"
Il must not worry you; and I must not
wrong myself, either. You know why!'
Yes; bat I implore you, my darling.
to tell me"
very we'll; will tell you everything
But, mother, you must be as brave as l
am"
: She buried her head lower still on hex
mothers breast, and commenced to re-
count to her, in Q low voice, without
looking up once, the terrible revelation
which had been made to her, and which
her husbands avowal had confirmed.
Mrs. Leland did not once interrupt her
during this cruel recital. She only i'm
printed kiss on her hair from time to
time.
Flora, who did not dare to raise her
eyes to her, as though she were ashamed
of another's crime, might have imagined
that she had exaggerated the gravity OF
her misfortune, since her mother had re-
ceived the confidence with so much calm
ness. But tile calmness of Mrs. Leland
at this terrible moment was that of the
martyrs; for all that could have been
suffered by the Christians under the
claws Of the tiger, or on the rack Of the
tortcreS. this mother was suffering at the
hands Of her best-beloved daughter.
Her beautiful pale face-her large eyes
upturned to heaven, like those they give
to the pure victims kneeling in the Roman
circus appeared as though demanding
of God if He really had any consolation
for such torture.
When she had heard all, she summoned
strength to smile at her daughter, who at
last looked up to her with an expression
Uf timid uncertainty, embracing he1
more tightly still.
We'll, my darling, said she, at last -
is great affection, it is true. You are
right, Notwithstanding; there is nothing
to despair Of"
do you really believe so2'
Certainly. There is some inconceiv-
able mystery under all this; but be as
sured that the evil is not so terrible as it
appears" ,
edged it?"
+ am better pleased he has acknowl-
edged it. That proves be has yet some
pride. and some good yet left in his soul.
Then, too, he feels very much afflicted; he
suffers ss much as we do. Think ofthat.
Let us think Of the future, my darling"
They clasped each others hands, and
smiled at one another to restrain the tears
which filed the eyes of both.
After few minutes:
Il must 60 to your poor father now, my
child" said Mrg. Leland, and then ]
would like to repose for half an hour.
Il will accompany you to papas room:
Oh, can walk! feel great deal better"
Il think you had better wait o little,
my dear. Your father is reposing aftel
the fatigues of the journey. 1 will come
for you by and by"
Very we'll, mamma.
Mrs. Leland rose 10 leave the room. A
the door she turned:
BE sensible" she said, with another
smile.
And you ALSO" rejoined Flora. whose
voice failed her.
Mrs. Lei md hsstened to her own
private room, closed and locked the door,
raised her clnsped hands toward Heaven:
then, falling on Der knees before the bed,
she buried her head IN it. and commenced
to weep despairingly.
Flora, left alone in her room, dropped
upon her knees, clasped her hands, and
supplicated the Great Throne for strength
to bear tine terrible trial through which
she was passing.
The apartment occupied by eugene was
continuous to this chamber He had been
walking with long strides up and down
the room, exl Getting every moment to sec
Mrs. Leland enter.
AS the time passed on he sat himself
down and tried to read, but his thoughts
wondered. His ear eagerly received
against his will, the slightest sounds In
the house. II foot seemed approaching
him, he rose suddenly and tried to COM
pose his countsnance. When the door OF
the neighboring chamber was opened his
agony was redoubled.
He caught the sound of weary sigh.
then, an Instant after, the dull fall Of
Mrs. Leland upon the carpet. then her
despairing sobs.
Enoana thraw from him violently the
book which he was forcing himself to
reud, placing his elbows on the bureau
which was before him. held, for long