The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-15
DOR0THEA INGRAM.
a Story of Early Colo.
NAL Days.
By CHARLES G. HAHN.
CHAPTER vlu-tCont1nued)

CHAPTER vlII-6Cont1nuedJ
These meetings between Dorothea and
Achsah at length became SO palnfu! to
he latter that the minister exerted all his
bower to prevent them. He allowed his
daughter to 90 out with no one but him.
self, and while taking their solitary
strolls he carefully avoided those places
where they were likely to encounter
Dorothea. But there was one place In
which he could not avoid the young
witch, for such she was now called by
the settlement generally. In the meeting
house on Sunday and on lecture days the
whole population were obliged to gather.
Here, for an hour or two on those days,
the two we're obliged to sit, and although
II was Gods house, the minister was
never easy lest the DEVILS power might
find some. weak place in his prayer and
break through, even in that sacred place.
Consequently he changed his own family
Dew to remote corner from DR.. Len
hox's, where Dorothea sat, and con trived
Is much as possible to keep his daughter
from the sight of the girl.
He had it in mind several times to for
bid Do-othea from entering the meeting
house, bat his deacons dissuaded him.
Then. too, the minister knew that the
time to strike an open blow had not yet
come. For DR.. Lennox, with whom
Dorothea lived, and to whom she had be g.
come as a daughter. stoutly denied all
nsinuations against her, and had pub
.licly stated that he wcg.d fight for her as
Tor his own flesh and blood
Dorothea's beauty,also had its infuen ce
upon o great many of the congregation,
principally the young men of the settle
nent. As has been stated, she had grown
up q comcly girl. the equal to whom there
was no. in Sagnauck, and despite the
reputation given her by the minister, and
the evidence before them with regard to
Achsah Granville, Dorothca's suitors
we're many.
Neither was there ever any jealousy of
her in the hearts of the other naidens of
The village, for Dorothea possessed that
ppenness IN d good-heartednes which sell
dom fails TO make friends. Then, too, her
readiness to serve neighbor, to watch
by the sick, to nurse fretful child, or do
any OF the many mcts which a good
hearted woman can do il she will, made
der favorite with her elders. True, they
half believed her false, but they silenced
themselves with the fact that nothing
had really been proven against her, and
that TO them she had always been kind.
Some, no doubt, were influenced by the
thought that, did she possess the power
ascribed to her, it were hetter to treat
her Toll and secure her favor than to in
Cur her emnity.
It vas q troublesome young life; and
-
Ienrox and his wife, she, long before
these fvo years had elapsed, NO doubt
would have committed some act of in
discretion, or allowed some outburst of
temper which would have given the min
isSer good cause for proceeding against
her as he had against her father. But
This worthy couple watched over her as
shev would over their own child, and
many times succeeded in soothing her
feelings when severely tried, and in in
ducing her to forgive md. if possible,
forget, tho wrongs done her.
In one instance the Doctors we'll
meaning plans came near Fastening on
the end against which he was guarding.
Like all m edical men of the colonies in
those days, he had been educated in
Ea1iand, and was consequently fairly
well acquainted with nervous diseases.
To him the girl Achsah's trouble
seemed due entirely to physical causes,
although he could not understand. just
how it was brought about. He accord
tngly decided, one day, to bring the girl
inio Dorothea's presence and test the
effect j. would have upon her, doubling
not that her fear of him would hinder
any deception.
By little maneuvering he was able et
loneth to secure the girls presence in his
efsce and then sent for Dorothea.
Scarcely had she entered when Achsaf
bopon to show unmistakable signs OF
some outside influence being brought tc
bear upon her. Her face rapidly changed
It's EXPRESSION, ler arms dropped to he'
gides. and her whole body became linn
For an instant the Doctors faith In MI
adopted daughter was shaken, and h'
glanced up quickly at her. To his hor
Tor and the confirmation of his fears, sh'
too was visibly affected. Her eyes wer
s,oadily fixed on those of the girl shrink
Ing back in the chair, and her face wor
. look which the Doctor had never seel
there before. 1t was pale, and the mus
cles of the face stood out in relief. Thu
she remained for several seconds, thel
gradually resumed her usu manner, ant
a ccrtcnptuous smile rested upon he
l:ps.
Tho Doctor was about to speak II
Dc:othea when his attention IVES callet
Achsah. With a shulder she slippet
from the chair and lay upon the floor
her limbs contorted and her mouth foam
ing. While the Doctor was stening t.
procure certain medicines which b
thoux ht might relieve her. she ceased he
struggling, and by the time he returned
it's full length and lay upon the floor wit
her upon couch and administered
potion which soon revived her. She re
NAMED weak for some time. but tn
Doctor learned that whatever her troubl
might be 1t was not beyond the aid
medicine.
.Un ess"-be could not help th
thought unless Dorothea had with
drawn her spell.
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