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

often stood for whole days over the en-
trance of the valley without ever getting
into it. till shifting of the wind dis
persed them. If by any chance they did
get between the rocky walls encircl1ng
the valley he owned, these thunder
storms had habit Of raging for hours
and hours with vehemence that was
unknown in the lowlands.
The truth Of these observations was
well known to Miss Beckford, and she
allowed herself to be persuaded. About
two-thirds of the distance had been traV.
eled. and another quarter OF an hour or
uphill walking would bring them to the
goal of their journey.
But hardly had they walked five min
utes when the storm overlook them.
With incredible rapidity the clouds cov-
cred the sky, and strange, wailing
sound went through the tops OF the
giant pines, as they bent before the wind,
Presently branches, some of them large
enough to be mistaken for young trees,
were torn off and hurled to the ground
with a terrible crash that could, how.
ever, scarcely be heard on account OF the
roaring Of the storm, the creakinR OF
the trees, as their gnarled trunks, bow
ing low before superior power, came Into
contact with each other, and the thou
sand unheard of sounds that the uproar
of the elements awakened. Then the
blue flashes Of lightning illumined
with uncanny, momentary glare, the
scene, while the thunder, re.echoing
again and again from the surrounding
hills was louder even than the roar OF
the storm. At last, heavy. large drops
of water began to fall, and before the
two young people, fastening as fast as
their feet would carry them, could reach
the protection OF the grotto, the rain
came down in torrents. When they had
entered, the falling water formed an al
most continuous sheet before them and
they were completely shut off from the
outer world.
The fury of the storm now had abated
q little and its noise was no longer as
terrifying as before the rain began TO
fall, but the monotonous sound produced
BY the latter falling first on the leaves
of the trees, then dripping down on the
rocks, was sufficient to necessitate
raising Of the voice, If the two prisoners
in the grotto would make themselves
understood.
@Not very promising situation"
Jack thought, "for lover to oawl his
professions of love into her ears, as II
She were deaf" And he again put off the
great moment till it would cease to rain.
But an hour passed and it still rained;
a second one was nearly over and still
there were no signs of the end Of this
terrible avalanche of rain. Jacks OBJ
hoA a
storm-cloud had found the difficult en-
trance into this trap OF mountain val
ley, it had to stay there until its whole
force was spent But the situation grew
very uncomfortable.
The discomfort however, had some
compensations for Jack at least. What
lover would not lik, to be incarcerated
in the same cell with his beloved one,
far away from the possibility OF profane
intrusion?
Gradually the situation inspired the
young man with courage. When the
rain had abated little so that it became
possible to speak in an ordinary tone, he
actually, though awkwardly and hesi.
tatingly, told her his love and asked her
to be his wife.
It would be impossible to describe the
surprise and CONSERVATION Of the girl at
Jacks declaration. For moment She
looked at him in amazement, with eyes
staring wide upon. Then she burst into
tears, unable for some time to a:ticulate
a syllable. Jack very naturally gave to
her tears a meaning favorable to his
hopes, and tried to seize her hand, but
she repelled him, not angrily but decid-
edly.
"Oh, why have you spoken to me that
way, Mr.. SpoffOrd?" she exclaimed at
last, and burst into anoth !r paroXysm
of tears.
Jack was puzzled She had not re-
fused him distinctly, and her exclama.
tion might as well be interpreted one
way as the other. He began to press his
suit, and became quite eloquent now in
his supplication. His former awkward
ness and hesitancy were completely over
come He asked her whether there was
anything in his character or his circum-
stances that she objected to. He tried
again to seize her hand, but second
time she firmly though gently withdrew
it. Then he endeavored to look into
her eyes, but she averted her face.
To all this she had no response but a
sad shake Of the head. At last she said,
when Jacks pleadings and protestations
became more and mo e importunate:
@Please don't talk to me any more
about it. Mr.. Spofford. cannot answer
yes"
r