The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-01-29

time color It was discovered after the
storm was over that the negro boy Tom
had run away just before it, and in that
way only was he on hand to aid in Lu-
cie's and Lawrence's rescue. So with
out consideration for the succor he rem
dered. the oyerseer tied him up and
gave him severe fiogging. OF course
Tom begged and howled and said that
he would never run away again, but the
conscientious oyerseer abated not one
lash Of all the allotted number. Tom
was an old offender, one that the phleg-
matte functionary had marked down to
be made memorable example Of for the
benefit of the other negroes.
But we are slipping away from our
story. Let US get back to the thread
OF it.
When Lucie was sufficiently recover
ed to bear the fatigue Of travel, Col. de
Vigney chartered small vessel by
which he transported his daughter and
his household slaves to New Orleans.
The plantation hands he sent through
by land in the care OF the overseer.
Lawrence was permitted to ship himself
and Star as part of the vessels cargo,
but he saw that Col. de Vigny was not
over hearty in according him that favor.
The saddle-bag Of money had been duly
turned over to him, and the Colonel
seemed more than willing to make this
consummation the end Of their famil-
iarity, if not of their friendship.
Immediately on reaching New Or
leans Lawrence and the de Vignys
separated, and no quicker was she out
of sight than the feeling stole into Law
rence's heart that he had lost her again.
He tried to chaff at himself for giving
room to such an idle fancy. but some
how it would not be pulled away. So
unreal, in fact, seemed the experiences
OF the past few weeks 90 out Of the
normal limit Of life as it usually comes
to men, that he scarcely felt that he
could expect the final outcome to be
anything but unusual. No doubt the
condition Of his health had much to do
with the state Of his imagination; more
over, q man in love is apt to take dis
torted view of small matters when they
Co nect themselves with the subject
affecting his heart.
Lawrence toiled patiently through
some intricate notarial affairs, md
when everything necessary had been
signed, sealed, and delivered" he
heaved a sigh of relief, went to his room,
dressed himself with care, and calling
carriage ordered himself driven to the
number given him by Lucie.
IC-SS a So;fd anu sJarGiy :ecElng resi-
dence before which the carriage drew
up. He thumped the door with its
ponderous brass knocker, tritie ner-
clxJ II ho cold ont3 cfnnd unit.
ing. Strange that a mans heart should
be SO hard to control at such time!
Stranger still that his fancy should
weave in spite of him a web of fantastic
expectations!
A servant opened the door. Was
Nile. de Vigny in?
No, she was not in.
Where was she?
The servant did not know. She and
her father had gone ANY, it was on
long journey-on a ship-to France,
probably. The servant looked indif-
ferent, his voice was inhospitable, but
Lawrence pushed past him and went in.
"Tell your mistress, )" he said, that |
wish to see her."
A minute later tall, serene-looking
lady met him graciously, and informed
him that Mile. de Vigny ard her father
had sailed for France thai very morn
ing.
Lawrence caught ray Of subtle ma
lightly darting from the narrow, placid
eyes which were scanning him between
their straight, moveless lashes.
Madame" said he, ARE you quite
sure that they are gomez"
She lifted her brows tifle. made
some movement with her lips indicative
Of surprise mingled with polite con-
tempt. When she spoke the effect OF
fnality was perfectly conveyed by her
voice.