The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-10-07
CHAPTER XIV.
~ DrDTT.


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CHAPTER XIV.
IN PERIL
By the old oak tree Edna Deane lin
gered until the silence Of midnight had
fallen over the scene. ..
She took no note Of time; she was
only vaguely conscious OF her sur
roundings.
Here She hal loved and trusted, here
her heart had broken, and the cruelty
of O. treacherous friend, the faithless-
ness Of a plighted lover, had crushed
all the Joy and hope out of her fresh
young life.
Those silent, anguished hours, how
; ever, could not endure forever. Like
on ordeal of fire, they tried her soul,
but it tainted not. The rare purity Of
her sweet nature kept her from utter
despair. She was crushed, but duty lay
still before her.
A barren path the future, but she
must tread it alone. She must make
no sign as the cruel thorns pierced her
tender heart; she must drain to the
dregs the cup His hands had rendered,
without sigh or moan. .
Looking upon the blurred fabric OF
her girlhoods love-dream as shat
tered stately palace, hoping that fate
would lead her to the father whose love
and sympathy she 30 craved in those
hours of darkness and gloom, she arose
at last, and with set, silent face, turned
her steps away from Hopedale, she be-
lieved, for the last time and forever.
She reached the railroad town across
country, and took the first train for
home. Home! Yes, her heart thrilled at
the name. Home was where loving
hearts encompassed quiet, even duties:
There she would be welcome. MIR. and
Mrs. Blake would receive her as a
friend, as daughter, and some day she
might tell the kindhearted farmer S
wife her sad, bitter story, and learn
from her lips how to bear her cruel bur-
den and suffer in silence.
She did not try to comprehend how
all that had transpired had come to
pass. The one glaring fact confronted
and appalled, her-she had arrived at
Hopedale to see her lover wed another.
No excuse Of time, OF absence could
condone such speedy transfer OF affec-
ton. He was shallow hearted, disloyal,
insincere, and she, Beatrice, schem-
ing siren.
Mercy, child! how white and fright
ened you look. But, never mind. Thank
heaven! you have come back. John
has been so lonesome for another Sight
of your bonnie face, that he hasn't eat,
slept or smiled since you went away"
That was Mrs. Blake's CHEEKY well
come, and it warmed and comforted the
homeless wanderer.
They asked no questions, but the
keen motherly eye of the farmers wife
seemed to intuitively take in true Goa
ception or a shrewd guess OF the true
state of affairs, and without actually in
truding on Edna's grief, she spoke many
a quiet, effective word OF consolation,
trleu &c ieau ner guests thoughts to
other themes, as the days went by.
Thus it was that in less than week
Edna had settled down into a life peace
full, happy, indescribably so, only when
that dark shadow Of the past haunted
her heart like pail.
Her new friends had talked plainly to
her. They liked her; she filled dead
daughters place in their hearts. She
was welcome to remain with them as
SueSI OF duOpleu cAiAo aS 'onS eI" oNe
chose.
The little household duties she en-
gagged in busted her thoughts. She saw
a new mission in life in making the de-
clinlng years of these two friends hap
py with her presence, her aid and hel
smiles.
Indulgent Farmer John brought he1
new dresses, trained his best pony fol
her use in riding and driving, and in
sisted that she try to WOO back the
roses to her wan cheeks by scamper
over the moors and down the river path
every day.
The first fierce snow of autumn had
melted beneath the warm sun, and
November seemed like May, only fol
the red fallen leaves and the crisp
bracing air.
One afternoon Edna set forth in the
little phaeton for drive over the hills
The gentle pony answered TO the light
est direction OF the lines; the carriage
dog, Bruno, trotted placldly behind
| She could think in these peaceful drives
| and there was somber satisfaction IL
| brooding once in q while over the past
This especial day Edna prolonged hel
drive DeyOnQ llS uSudi llluIlS. oll'
drove clear to and beyond the next vii
lage, and only realized that she woule
have difficulty in reaching home agai-
before dusk, when she looked up iron
a sad reverie to find that the short after
noon was waning fast.
The sight of q flaming bush of va
riety quite rare in the vicinity OF tn
Blake farm attracted her attention
however. and she alighted from tn
phaeton.
Mrs. Blake had hobby Of pressing
pretty leaves, and Edna remembers
! that she particularly treasured thi
variety. Here they seemed to grow il
profusion, and she decided to gathe
cutie an armful OF them.
She kept wandering through the littl
wooded stretch where they grew, allure'
by the distant sight OF a still prettle
clump of bushes, until, fairly loaded, sh'
looked up, intent on retracing her wa.
to the phaeton.
"Dear!" she uttered with little start
where is the road?"
She penetrated the brambly jungle IL
two directions with no success, NOTING
with slight thrill Of dismay that dusl