The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-08
THE PRIMA DONNA.
A Story Of Mystery. Love and
Devotion.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XIV.

apprehension .,
As the day wore on, she said to herself
4 thousand times, somebody will come
to me, surely. She thought of Living.
ston. His manner more than his words
had impressed her. Surely he was a
true, kind, thoughtful friend-a very
thoughtful friend of her brothers. He
would be sure to send her word through
the day. If he did not, it would be be-
cause-but surely he would have good
news God would not be~cruel to her.
What had she done to be punished? o.!
there would be news through the day.
When hours passed, and nature could
not withstand the strain, she went down
to see her landlady. The landlady was
An honest shrewd, and kind woman,
with q cold exterior. Her helpless
lodger appealed to her strongly.
The landlady had stock Of stories,
NIL as wonderful as the unexplained alb
sence of Beauchampe. "Why, my dear,
there was the case Of Miss Wary. Her
people gave her up for lost for three
whole days, and where did she turn up?
Why, the poor thing got on the wrong
train, and was carried 100 miles out OF
her way before she discovered her mis-,
take, all because she had got the wrong
ticket. Then she was put on branch
road, and the culverts and bridges were
washed away in storm, and when the
papers were full of the mystery doesn't
she come in as fresh as you please. say
ing: 4 guess you'all thought was lost
las sure enough she was all that time,
90 far as they were concerned.
@Yes, and there was the experience OF
the old gentleman who lived out Of town
. few miles. He was known by every
body for miles around, and one after
noon he walked down to the village post.
Office, and nobody saw him that day or
the next, nor for five days. 1t was the
greatest sensation they had at that time.
What could come on a sensible, decent
old gentleman whose life was as clear
and as blameless as babes? But he
was gone-gone like mist Nobody saw
him going. Well, at the end OF whole
week, mind you, miss, doesn't the wife
of the preacher almost faint dead away
when the old man walked past her door on
his way home. She thoughtit was ghost.
Then it came out that he had walked all
the way to his cousin's-a Lady older than
himself land they do say they were
lovers when they were young), who was
as we'll to.do, or better of than he was
And her children and her made so much
Of him that he just staid there five days
the oldest thing for q sensible, home
like man to do that ever was known.
And it seems thathe had told a young man
that he met to tell his folks that he would
be gone q day at least, but the young
man was called away the same hour.
and so the message was never delivered.
All OF which, although designed to sol.
ace and reaSSure Miss Beauchampe, pro.
duced just the contrary effect, since the
iandlady's motive was painfully ap-
parent
Unable at last to endure restraint,
spite Of the protestations of her land
lord, Miss Beauchampe went out, assert
ing her purpose to cali upon the author
ties She made her way directly to the
Office of the chief inspector, but single
speech at the entrance changed the cur
rent of her thoughts, and caused the
blood to recede from her heart. Two
men near the entrance were talking
loudly. One said as Miss Beauchampe
approached them: "The ropes as good
as around the scoupdrel Beauchampe's
neck now"
Stunned, speechless from terror, half
blinded by the rush OF tears that spread
over her cheeks, Miss Beauchampe
turned away, and slowly retraced her
steps with sinking heart homeward. 1t
was with difficulty she could walk. At
times she thought she would fall, but
some strange power supported her and
nerved her to pursue her way along an
untraveled street until she entered her
own door.
There she yielded herself a prey to all
manner Of forebodings until she wrought
herself into an ecstasy of terror. 1t is
hard to say what the result might have
been had not fortune sent one to her
side who was able to soothe and reas-
sure her.
While she was weeping unrestrained-
ly, the landlady opened the door, said
something in low tone, then quietly
withdrew. A moment later hand was
laid gently on her head and sweet
, voice said, "Do not yield to despair,
child; al will be well soon. Listen to
me-"
1t was the voice Of Vittoria.
u can feel for you, my dear. It is
horrible this mistrust. 1t is
impossible always to resist the inclina-
tion to weep; and sometimes it does you
good to cry, but l know, feel that you
are unwis, to yield to such tempest Of
tears as this. You will have good news
soon, maybe before morning. Who can
tell? 1t may be later, but it will be good
news.
"How do I know? I cannot prove It
to you, but I know. / feel there is a
cruel mistake; that it will be righted.
believe as truly as believe the good God
Is just and merciful. have come to tell
you this. Would come if dio not be-
iieve what 1 say? And what is it that
sends me to you? ! have come now twice
10 bid you not yield 10 these terrible ap-
prehensions. They will drive you wild"
Her voice was sweet; her tones soft
and low. The touch of her hand was
like balm tc a wound. Miss Boauchampe
repressed her sobs and looked up at Wit
toria through her tears.
~Yes, it is I, Vittoria, your friend, and
sympathizer in your trouble. Come, lift
your head; let me, permit me to wipe
your cheeks. There is no reason for
these tears You will smile with me
soon, perhaps tomorrow. Then the
trouble will be explained to eSerybody's
satisfaction.
Miss Beauchampe was prevailed upon
to rise and bathe he- face, and then Wit
toria comfortcd her, encouraged her,
talked unreStrainedfy until Miss Beau.
champe became interested, and then she
too talked until Vireoria discovered she
had prolonged her visit @an unconsider-
able length Of time"
When she withdrew messenger ap-
preached the door.
uyUbot did T toll von said VittOria