The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-02

hattie to keep my memory green, for I
do not know how soon l may see her
again"
He was himself somewhat overcome
by emotion.
But why did Jack Spofford seem to
feel embarrassed at the mention OF Hat
tie Beckford's name?
Jack Spofford carefully elaborated in
his mind the little speech with which he
was to communicate to Mrs. Warning
ham the facts of her sons marriage and
departure for Europe. But when ne
stood before that supercilious lady TOR
whom he had, since his boyhood, felt
tremendous respect that could almost be
called awe, he found that he had forgot
ten every word Of it. So he had to get
through his task as best he could, which
after all was much better than he had
feared.
He could not, however, tell his tale
without admitting that he had taken
part in the necessary arrangements, and
grew deeply crimson when Mrs War
ringham said, with cutting irony:
Il au greatly obliged to you, Mr.
spofford, for the pains you nave taken
In promoting the happiness OF my fam
ily." :,
He felt greatly relieved when he had
at last left the house. AS he was walk.
ing through the garden that surrounded
the mansion with green lawns and shrub
berry he met Miss Beckfo.d. This seemed
to Jack partial compensation for the
ordeal he had just gone through, and at
the same time he remembered that he
had a message to her also.
Hattie Beckford hailed him with the
dignified frankness that was so charming
o characteristic of this young lady OF
nineteen.
aWhy are you in such haste to get
away, Mr.. Spofford?" she asked. "Your
call has been very brief"
@The messenger whose tidings are bad
should not tarry long," Jack replied, Sc
riously,
Hattie turned shade paler aBad
tidings?" she asked. "What is 1t, Mr..
Spofford?"
II called to bring yourself and Mrs.
Warringbam the adieus of your cousin
Ralph. He has departed for Europe"
The girl now turned really pale; her
lips tremb.ed, as she exclaimed:
"For Europe!"
"He has gone to Europe to spend the
honeymoon with Mrs. Warringham, for.
merry Miss Lyon, whom he has married"
Hattie felt as if her heart would cease
to beat. During the last three days she
had known what would come, yet now,
when the object OF her grief had become
real. she was overwhelmed with sorrow.
For an instant pain made her unjust,
and she exclaimed:
married clandestinely and ran away
like coward!"
Jack could not allow his admired
friend to be spoken of in that way.
"Not clandestinely nor like a coward,
Miss Beckford," he said. aRalph told
his mother some days ago what he in.
tended to do"
The momentary emotion Of bitterness
had already vanished from Hattie's
mind. She now was filed only with
concern for the future happiness OF her
idol
aYou knew Miss Lyon, Mr.. Spoford9"
she inquired anxiously. @Tell me what
sort of woman she is. Will Ralph be
happy by her side?"
The question was most embarrassing
to honest Jack. Although commonly
ready to approve and admire whatever
Ralph did, he could not fail in this case
to see how little there was in the new
Mrs. Warringham's character to promise
a happy outcome of the union. He tried
to give an eyasive, diplomatic answer,
and replied:
Ralph loves her passionately, and
love should be guarantee OF happiness
The honest fellow had no idea that
these words, which were intended to
srare her feelings, drove the knife still
deeper into her heart
He took his leave after having briefly
related the ceremonies Of Ralph's we'd
ding. When he was gone, the girl hast
ened in:o her room, locked the door and
gave free vent to the tears she could
restrain no longer. All was over now.
She had lost her love forever, before she
had found it, and she had not even the
consolation that the object of her un-
uttered devotion would be happy.
To lie CONTINUED