The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-13
CHAPTER ~.

pleasantly, on MS entrance, so YOU udFe
returned in safety"
u have; and in q pecuniary point OF
view, the visit brought great change
for the better"
@Indeed! that is good news"
"From this day am to receive FIVE
thousand dollars annually, as I have
entered into an engagement to that
effect"
aMy dear Earle, you do surprise mel"
II fear, however, my next remark
you will not like so WELL"
Mrs. Elfenstein's bright looks faded on
be instant.
aThis engagement obliges me to sell
my practice, and sail in about one week
to settle in country village in England
"Oh, Earle, you surprise me-"
Mother, dear, you shall have your
choice now: whether to accompany Inc
at once, or allow me to board you at your
brothers in this city for few months,
until can survey tho ground, and fully
establish myself. In case you remain,
can at any time come for you. after see
whether it will be permanent home.
Perhaps shall not care to remain after
few months"
4uCtO WdS iOuS PoooO3 ''''ASa Nv
length by the mother.
@Earle, dread tho ocean, and shall
dread foreign home. Perhaps I had
best remain, as you say. 1t is your
opinion that I had better remain?"
"If you think you can endure the sep
aration. shall dislike it as much as
you"
u know that, dear"
"You like Uncle Johns family?"
"Oh, yes"
@And would be happy there?"
aAs happy as can be, away from my
son."
at may not be long separation.
II will hope So"
By the close Of the week, Mrs. Elfen-
stein was comfortably established in a
room furnished with her old familiar
things, while the son succeeded in dis
posing of the rest, aswell as his practice,
and had engaged q passage on the
Oceanica.
A short visit was then paid to Mr..
Rappelye, who gave him full directions
how to proceed, and many minute de-
tails of the place and inhabitants.
Promising to write weekly, keeping him
informed of every movement, the young
man bade him farewell, and in q few
hours later was upon the outward-bound
steamer.
Standing there alone, surrounded by
strangers, it is not a matter OF surprise
that feeling Of WEAKNESS and almost
desolation crept over him.
With desperate effort, the young man
at length succeeded in dissipating this
gloom. he knew full well that 1t would
not answer to faint on the very threshold
of his new duties.
He knew, also, that, to accomplish his
work, he must be courageous and brave, so
he turned away from his post of observa-
ton on deck, and sought the more lively
saloon.
Taking book from one OF the tables,
he affected to read.
Presently his eyes rested upon mid
dle-aged lady, who seemed In feeble
health. rs she leaned back languidly in
an easy chair, while her pale face and
attenuated figure spoke Of prolonged
sufferings, but patient spirit.
She was evidently waiting fo- the ap-
pearance of some person, as her dark
eyes continually wandered towards the
door.
DR.. Elfeustein looked at her with In
creasing interest.
Silently he recalled face after face OF
his friends and patrons, in vain; he
could not place the likeness that had SO
suddenly attracted him, and his failing
to do so caused him both annoyance
and chagrin.
Suddenly a brighter LOOK tloatcd into
the lady's eyes.
Following the range OF her vision, he
was surprised at beholding the most per-
feet picture Of youthful beauty he had
ever yet beheld.
1t was all embodied in the person of a
young girl Of about twenty summers,
who smilingly drew near.
Small, with q figure cXGu!sitely mold
ed, and movements OF perfect grace, a
pure, white skin, with the rosy tint of
health Just tinging each soft cheek, eyes
of a languid hazel, large, dreamy, yet
full of intelligence aud gentleness, a
sweet mouth whose tender red lips dis
closed, when speaking or laughing, teeth
even and pear:y white, with, as the
| browning beauty of her whole appear
ance, q profusion of golden hair, that
uncommon golden shade that is seldom
seen, yet never disregarded, on account
Of its very rareneSs.
She spoke, and the melodious accents
J of her voice filled Earle with delight.
He had always placed great stress up
on the tones of the human voice being a
reflection in great degree OF the nature
of its possessor.
@Aunt Gertrude, are you weary? |
stayed out longer than intended, but
could not bear to lose sight of the faint
est speck of the land we have left behind
US. 1t has all disappeared now, and the
sea, the sea, the deep blue sea- at this
moment is on every side. rising and sink
ing In all its beauty. Shall lead you to
your state-room, auntic? Perhaps il
would be as we'll for you to lie down be-
fore you become sea sick and faint"
III feel rather dizzy, now, my love, and
will take your advice"
Rising slowly. the feeble woman leaned
on the strong young arm of her niece
and so passed to state-room quite near
the one engaged by himself, and the
young physician smiled contentedl!,
that they were to be close neighbors dur
ing the voyage.
CHAPTER