The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-08-23

10y SA'Sh mc crcdh' oonu VNoiiio
"Nellie Power, you look as II you
were going to faint. You're white as
a sheet. Go away and get some water
OF something, and / win take your
place here" said a girl who was stand
ing by.
Nellie moved aside, but did not go
away. She leaned against q pillar for
support and listend.
speaker "typhoid-got it rowing
Isabel's body. Thought she had
drowned herself. Used to row till
long after dark, those March nights,
when 1t was 80 bitter cold. He rallied
from the first attack; got strong
enough to walk down town. Then
Mrs. Killup-that hasn't o
particle of discretion-told him some
dreadful stories about girls who had
gone off like Isabel, and about their
ward. l told him / was sure she was
alive but L couldn't reconcile it to my
conscience TO say ] expected she'd
come to any good, she was 80 quick
tempered and wilful. She despised
her fathers ways. He was one OF the
quiet, digniied kind, slow to act. I've
heard her speak real mean to him, IL
he wanted to take time to think over
anything. She acted as If she thought
she had more brains than he had.
| didn't think there was SO much in
him myself. But still waters u
deep, as the saying is. Anyway, he
took to his bed again, the night after
the neighbors talked to him about
Isabel, and he's got lower every day.
The doctors had about given him up.
l expect to hear of his death"
There was a heavy fall, followed by
screams from some of the girls.
The speaker made her way through
the crowd that had gathered about the
( PROSTATE form.
Gas sure as 1 live" she cried, ex-
citedly, sits Isabel Lester It's Just
q special providence that guided me
to this spot, to break the news about
her father"
You know her, then?" questioned
the proprietor, as he motioned the
crowd back.
"Know her? I should think 1 do |.
[ have known her ever since she was
born" And while restoratives were
applied, the stranger, full of the inn
portance OF the occasion, told her
story.
That night, Isabel's employer placed
her on O homeward-bound train.
PLEASE tell Mrs. Wood all about
it," she begged, "and say to her that
1 was christened Isabel Helen Power
and they called me Nellie when 1 was
little so 1 did not tell a lie-at least,
not exactly-about my name"
How slowly the train seemed to
move !! "If l could get out and run,
if could do anything, I could bear it
better ; but l feel as if I should go mad,
sitting here helpless" she said to her.
self Whom tho motion ~ Tho f,,;,,
became slower as it neared a station,
1t appeared to her excited fancy that
she could hear her fathers heart
throbs growing fainter and his breath
ing dying away till it ceased. But at
last she leaned her tired head on the
seat and forgot her sorrows in sleep.
"BriarwoOd % shouted the conduc-
tor.
Isabel opened her eyes. 1t was
early morning. The light of the
rising sur was sparkling on the river
that ran by the little station. The
station-master stood by the door. A
man sat, rubbing his sleepy eyes. upon
a truck. A porter moved about tho
platform. No one but Isabel got off
the train. There were no passengers
waiting. She was thankful for that.
[She had dreaded recognition. She had
feared that some one would tell her the
terrible truth before she could reach
her home.
Leaving her valise to be stored in
the baggage-room till sent for, she
walked quickly through the deserted
village street. One or two men passed
her and stared inquisitively at her,
but her thick veil covered her face,
and h was not recognized.
How cool and fresh the air was
How joyously the birds sang! How
brightly the dewdrops glistened on
the leaves, fluttering in the morning
breeze! Could it be possible that,
beside this gladness and beauty, death
and desOlation, the result of her mis-
deeds, were reigning in her home?
She drew near her home, and the
strength that excitement had lent her
deserted her. Concealed by a linden
tree, she gazed at the house. Some
ominous signal, long and black, with
clinging folds The brightness of the
sun was dimmed, and darkness covered
the earth for her. But when she
drew her hands from before her ewes.
she saw only the long branches of a
Virginia creeper swaying in the wind.
When strength was renewed in her
trembling limbs, she went to q side
gate that led to the kitchen.
Inc place locke neat even during
that long illness, it's new mistress had
not allowed 1T. to be neglected. A
strange servant stood at the open door.
!" Is anyone in the house up yet ?"
asked Isabel.
II guess Miss Lester is. The
masters very low now. The doctors
been here all night"
Tell Miss Lester" said Isabel.
family, that if she can come without
disturbing her brother, q friend wants
to see her very particularly. Don't
let Mr.. Lester hear"
The girl led Isabel to the parlor and
left her to her own thoughts.
There were footsteps in the hall.
She was coming ! this relative whose
authority she had spurned. Isabel
had never seen her, but had taken it
for granted that she would be stern
and cold. But her spirit was humbled;
n felt that she could resent nothing
now.
she rose when her aunt entered, |
Miss Lester's worn face grew paler.
She held out her hand and looked
~questioningly. She had seen Isabel's
photograph but in this haggard, care
worn girl she could hardly recognize
her brothers blooming daughter.
b lips moved wordlessly for a
moment then, with determined effort
and putting up her hands as If to ward
OF reproach, she cried:
II am Isabel =,