The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-09-05

pressed the letter repeatedly to ner lips,
and then broke the seal and read IS fol-
lows:
my DARLING DAuaHrER-Mr. Wynans
saws your uncles will not do anything for
YOU after l am gone, but it is only right
that you should apply to them, especially
to your uncle Hiram. Your father furnish
ed him with the capital which gave him his
first start as o merchant Should he prove
q broken reed to lean upon, such will not
be the case with Perry Wynaus we have
not known this dear friend long, but We
have known him intimately. He is honest,
kindly, and generous-all things good and
noble. How much it comforts me to know
that leave you such = friend and protect
or, is only known to that God in whose
bosom shall soon be at rest from my trials:
Trust this man, darling, as you would trust
me. The Musselshell lands it seems are De-
coming very valuable and Perry-1 call
him 50 because he seems like son 70 me-
will give you half they produce Oonsult
with him whenever you need advice, and
remember that my last blessing will always
rest upon you both. Heaven be with you
both now and ever. MOTHER.
Elfe had not read this epistle without
MANY q pause, as also with emotions
which found repeated expression in tears.
It seemed to her almost like a message
from another world.
@This letter confirms all you have told
me, Mr.. Wynans" she said at length,
handing it to him and inviting him by q
gesture to read it. "You will see how
much mamma thought of you"
Perry read the letter in silence, tears
gathering in his eyes &.
sShe was only TOO appreciative Of the
little have done, or could do,," he said,
handing the letter back to Ellie, who
again pressed it to her lips and secured
it tenderly in her bosom. "At the mo-
ment it was written was not as fully
enlightened about the Musselshell prop
erty as I am now, but enough had be-
come known to render 1t certain that we
were on the road to fortune"
Ellie looked so pleased at this assur-
ance that he fastened to add:
1.-THE reports I have received during
the past week from the Musselshell reSd
like fairy tale. I hardly dare give you
their substance, and so will let you look
them over for yourself in the course Of
the evening or tomorrow. 1t is enough
to say that we have on our land two OF
the richest gold mines which have ever
been found in America"
With what intensity the girls glances
came back to his face!
aHow nice!" she murmured, with the
sweet simplicity of her years. @And how
like 8 fairy tale, as you sayl I suppose
you will not remain in Uncle Hiram's
service moment longer?"
mo. Ellie. In fact, I am not going
back to the store. left brief note on
nv desk to that effect I remained un-
til to-day merely on your account. MY
idea was that your uncle would refuse to
do anything for you, and deemed 1t my
duty to resume my acquaintance with
you at the very point where your uncle's
dealings ended"
aHow good of you! Oh, If hadn't
met you at that sad, gloomy moment!
7 was quite In despair. And now that
you have quit uncle's service and he has
cast me Off"
aWe'll go to Montana together, II you
think well of the suggestion" declared
Perry. mo father was ever kinder to
daughter than I will be to you, should
you desire to bear me company to these
wonderful Mines"
Efie sighed with gladness that was
too intense for utterance.
aOh, it has been the dream Of my life
to 20 out to the mountains and valleys
Of the great West!"
81 foresaw how you would welcome
nv proposition said Perry, sand so
havs engaged a lifelong friend OF your
mother and yourself to go out there with
us-in fact, your dear old nurse, Mrs.
Rsnkle."'
aReally9 How delightful! Where Is
she?"
aShe's at my hotel waiting for u.s."
chow thoughtful you are I don't
know what mamma and I would have
done without dear Mrs Rankle.
"You will 60 with me to Montana,
then?n
@As If I could refuse!" exclaimed
Ellie.
II think we shall be able to start this
very afternoon" announced Wynans.
"The truth is, your Uncle jerry is still
in possession of our lands and mines, and
is robbing US of fortune daily, so that
I am resolved to put in an appearance
there at the earliest moment possible"
"And shall we say anything to Uncle
Hiram about our intentions?"
Certainly not, Ellie. What is Uncle
Hiram to you? But he'll not be far be-
hind us, I think. He is in danger OF
failing and losing everything he has in
the world, and his intention Is to start
for Montana this very day. He has
realized all the cash he could by all sorts
of shifts and SUPPLEMENTARY OF them
grossly dishonest-and is going to run
away, taking his son and daughter with
him."
"Then we may see them all in Mon
tana?"
4It's only too probable. But when
you do he will be the sbeggar' ana you
will be rolling in your millions"
How Eie's heart futtered at the
thought! What true prophecies she
had been in warning Hiram Skidder OF
such change in their respective situa-
tions!
"And for all this I have to thank you,
Mr.. Wynans," she murmured, her eyes
misty with her exquisite joy; "you who,
until to-day, have been so rarely en
hour in my presence! You have toiled
and thought for me while slept! Surely
it is the hand Of God which has brought
Us together, and is leading me out OF my
desolation to path wherein / shall find
radiance and sunshine forever!"
With smile as gentle as his speech
and mien had been, Perry arose with
her, offering her his arm again, and they,
went forth to their destiny together.
CHAPTER VI
SINGULAR ENCOUNTER
The silence to whic we left Ellie and
Wynans was broken by the latter with