The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-30

. Then from what I6Ag-ago foreigner
had Diva inherited her sumptnous
Southern beauty?
She spoke in dainty murmur, with
many a cautNeas glance toward Edgar
and the distant door ajar 30 that she
might fly upon his faintest movement
sBut why are you here yet and alone,
Engeloade9" she said, chidingly. with
her arms round the lady's neck; ~
thought Mr.. Sircombe was to relieve you
whenever Kenmore slept; he promised
me that he would"
"He was not required here; my patient
sleeps sweetly," returned Lady Dun
raven, in the same low tone.
@And now it is dawn" continued VI
va, holding up her pretty finger re-
proachfpllY, @and you have been here
III night! Imprudenr, wayward Mamma
Engelonde! And if I had not come
down stairs to peep at Kenmore should
never have found you out All, you bad
child"
With what passionate delight the hall
delirious Edgar watched the arch,
laughing girl as she menaced the lady
with her lifted finger, star Of mischief
In each dancing eye!
Lady Dunraven drew the slender
white creature to her, and framing the
lovesome young face between her two
hands. kissed it fervently.
@Now, go back to your pretty sleep,
my own GIRL" said she, @you know It
pleases me best to watch the night away.
And the servants are weary, they might
Sleep at their post And thls stranger,
whom the sea has cast into our care,
needs vigiant watching, for he Is much
hurt. No doubt some mothers heart
would break should he die" ,
While speaking, Lady Dunraven drew
Ulva away with her to the great yawn-
ing fireplace where q bank Of scented
petal-embers glowed ruby red; yet,
though the length OF the magnificent
room was now between them and Edgar,
and they maintained low murmuring
tone lest they should awake him, he
could hear every syllable, so prefer
naturally sharpened had his hearing be-
come in the nervous straining OF his
fevered faculties. It seemed to him that
his heart would break were he to lose
one word or one glance Of Ulva's, al
ready she was standing within the weird
land OF delirium, and it confused him to
dissociste her from the haunting Oolava
OF the cliff He watched her from afar
with a solemn fervor.
"Dear mamma, how bright your eyes
are!" were Ulva's next words, "and how
hot your hands! And your heart beats
so fast, so very fast! Oh, am afraid
when you look like that. Let me stay
with the poor invalid. shall not wake
him, promise-and do you rest Do,
Engelonde! Dol" d.. .
She hung about the lady with sweet
insistence, her mood was changed, sud-
den anxiety sobered her manner.
Lady Dunraven laid her slight hand
on her daughters lips, with faint
smile. &Foolish child, what would the
young man think to find such an attend
ant by his sIde?"
"But he is fast asleep, mamma, am
quite sure of that" entreated Ulva; II
stood ever so long by the door watching
him before ventured in, and he never
once moved. And, mamma, watched
you, tco, and oh, how sorrowful You
looked! Tell me why?"
= aDo not ask, my Consolation" faltered
Lady Dunraven. @Be happy while you
mayl" ID. Is
What anguish thrilled beneath the
low pathetic tones! Ulva looked at her
wonderingly. and then kissed her with
passionate sympathy many times. y
sMamma," whispered she, holding her
of to gaze at her worn face with dark,
frightened eyes; 1Sweet Engelonde, /
begin to think that you are always suf-
fering pain or grief! You put on q
cheerful manner whenever I am with
you, but it is only for my sake; mean
while your eyes are growing larger and
brighter every day, and your beautiful
face more worn and pale. and you call
me your Consolation-your only one.
Oh, my own kind mammals there no
deliverance for you?" She spoke In an
agitated murmur, growing pale from
feeling, and tears standing in her eyes.
But Lady Dunraven turned away with q
movement Of despair, concealing her too
eloquent face
AChild!D said she, wildly - awho
has dared TO open your eyes?
Do not believe him shut your
ears from every treacherous whis-
per. Oh, child, be happy while you
may!" 1t was cry from her very
heart . :.. .
aNo one has spoken one word to me,
mamma" said Ulva; "who would?"
Have we traitor among Us? Mamma,
am afraid" She nestled more closely
to Lady Dunraven, trembling and un5
strung. Already the shadow Of the fua
ture was darkening over her, she felt
the daunting influence of an unknown
sorrow which was coming nearer her.
II am afraid" she whispered again; II
have been so happy here; had forgot
ten that there Is sin and sorrow in the
world. You nave hidden your suffering
so well that I, selfish and unthinking
egotist, believed you as happy as you
are pining away before my very eyes,
and you will not let me share your
trouble. Oh, Engelonde, am afraid
for you'll"
Lady Dunraven's caressing hand sud-
denly closed upon Ulva's with warning
pressure.
She had met the eyes Of their stranger
guest, fixed upon her with strange and
wandering look.
She hastened to the bedside and bent
over him; his eyes followed her with no
change OF expression; they were glitter
Ing, restless; his lips were moving cease
lessly in q whispered babble. Ulva,
startled, gazed timidly over her shoulder
at him.
@Oolava! beautiful sea-princess!" NUT
tered Edgar confusedly.
"Why, how is this!" cried Lady Dun
raven in dismay, "he is In high fever
-delirious!"
Ulva's dark eyes showered upon the
sufferer divine compassion. She went
nearer, to brush back a curling lock
10 bn,rninn Horahoad