The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-04

feared the cruG circumstances In which
! was placed would meet only distrust
and scorn. DR.. Elfenstein, answer me
solemly, do you believe all that I have
told you, and can you hereafter trust me
fully?"
81 do and can," murmured the en-
raptured lover, "and thus seal the
wordS!"
Drawing her again into his arms, he
kissed her passionately, saying as he
did so:
"My peerless darling, would I need not
leave you. But very few wee ks will
reunite US, never again to be parted. AS
soon as return, l shall want my wife.
Shall have her?"
"Perhaps. But oh, Doctor"
NAY, dearest; c0mmeHce again, and
call me Earle"
eyes; Earle, my Earle, will you surely
be back by Oct. 50"
eyes; positively. This is but the last
of August; I shall have plenty of time
to reach here then. But what Is to hap
pen on that date?"
at will be my twenty-frst birthday,
and then, as I told you once, a package
is to be opened. and l shall learn my
true name, and receive q small sum,
enough for my support. Had you for
gotten this? Will the uncertainty OF
my relationships cause any change In
your feelings? Ny dear aunt assured
me there was nothing to be ashamed OF
in my family record.
Ethel asked this question with sud-
den timidity of feeling, a dread she could
scarcely account for.
This dread, however, was instantly
dispersed by his answer.
"Change in my feelings? Nothing but
my death can change my love Cor you! l
only hope the news you will learn on that
date will increase your happiness. What
ever 1t may be, it shall not delay our
union one hour, I promise yon that; will
you promise me the same?"
II WILL" she murmured, "since ours
will be marriage founded on the purest
love; no worldly expectations or disap-
pointments shall sever u.s."
A little while longer the lover fingered,
then, as memory pressed hard upon him,
his many duties and limited time, he
rose to leave.
sShall I not see you again before you
sail, Earle?" asked Ethel, loath to part,
now that the time had come.
u fear not. Indeed, I know not ]
am obliged to visit neighboring town
to place my patients in the hands OF a
certain skillfu: physician there, who, I
am told, will come to this place during
my absence, as he has just sold his OWE
practice in order to r5-t1e from public
duty for the remainder G. ais life. Then
by four tomorrow morning leave here,
in order to catch that steamer. You
will be happy now in the thought OF my
devoted love and our speedy reunion,
will you not, while I am away, my dear
Ethel?"
sOh, yes" was the reply, but even as
she spoke soft sigh futtered from her
lips
sIyhy that sigh? I shall write as soon
as I arrive, and you will answer. We
shall hear from each other though sep
arated"
al know all that, but fear soCething
may happen on the ocean.
"I know those natural fears, but God
lives and reigns at sea as well as upon
land. And now, my dearest love, my
golden-haired darling" said he, opening
his arms for a last embrace, zone kiss
more, and then, indeed, must say fare
well and tear myself away"
So, happy in their reciprocated love,
they fondly embraced and parted.
Little they thought as they each pass
ed from sight what important changes
would changes would take place in the
fortunes of. at least one of them before
they met again. .....
% .' "'' Oft what seems
A tri1e, mere nothing by itself,
In some nice situations turns the scale
OF fate, and rules the most important ac-
. ". tiOnS.