The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-05-05

his eyes upon the negro's rolling orbs,
and caught them with a fierce, scornful
glance.
Plump gave up all volition to the
young man who stood over him. He
dotted on the lordly fellows power Of
will, although he believed his own life
hung on turn Of the vise-like hand.
The next day was one of deepest
showing. The world was snow up to a
mile overhead. All voices Of men and
sounds Of all sorts-there happened to
be more passing than was customary
seemed to ride in 8 closely walled
room; but what room! The atmos-
phere was as stimulating as youth it.
self, and as free from poison as the
breath OF angels. The rustling Of the
falling snow shivered like aspen leaves
heard in the dream Of seraph. Pres
colt and his wife mad thrown off all care,
and were soon intoxicated with the
elixir Of the breeze at the open win
dows. They dressed themselves for 6
bout in the lovely storm, and rolled
over in the snow and ate Of it, and
Rugged it to their bosoms and finally
sat enthroned III 1t while Prescott gave
some experiences Of his trip to Russia.
It was as pure and beautiful to examine
as our dearest illusions. The cheeks Of
the young lovers became rosy with the
rose that shines in vapor, which is SO
clear and light Any one, whoever it
was, would have been nettled by the
perfect bliss which this couple drank in
so impetuously without a thought or a
look for third person.
At evening the storm ceased. The
stars fiickered and gazed in the
heavens. The moon came up nobly
and far-seeing, like a saints soul. The
young people leaned on their window
sill and looked around and up.
Slowly dark figure moved toward
their old house, along a lane ending in
the main-road before their door; stop
ping every moment or two, and then
moving nearer, sadly, then stopping.
What elouuence there was in the Glow
plunging over the uneven, snowy
round of the broad shoulders, and in
the slight upward tilt Of the head, as If
hoplessly looking.
who is it," Prescott said, wonder
ing, but carelessly. His wife's hand
pressed his shoulder, and she murmur-
ed: "Hush-sh The snow carries
voices long way"
Il will 90 and speak to him" Prescott
answered, quickly understanding that
Nina thought it was Grenfell. He drew
himself back into the room.
@Oh. mol"
My DEAR" the young husband de-
clared, something must be done.
Then 1 will go, too, and speak with
him" Nina answered. L will not let
you 60 without me-"
1T might be very we'll for you to CO."
admitted Prescott, He will have seen
you, for one thing. and nothing will be
left for him to do"
In few moments they ran out into
the keen, fine air.
They walked up and down and about,
but saw no one.
Are you sure it was he?" asked Pres
colt.
Il know it was he," Nina replied, very
sadly. That night she wept floods of
tears.
CHAPTER Nv.
At breakfast her husband grumbled
at her pale cheeks, for he was greatly
worried.
I'VE must leave this place at once
he concluded. That wretched Gren-
fell is probably safe in New York again
by this time. But we shall fancy he is
in the vicinity for weeks, and guess him
to be at the bottom Of every football
and shadow. Let US good-naturedly
give up our hobby Of getting rich by
solitude and go away"
. Nina held her head proudly, and her
lips looked stern.
Il could not bear to be driven away
or otherwise controlled by that man,
she angrily cried.
But don't believe he Is here. 1t is
I WHO shall control you, believe me-"
We'll, Tom, don't ask me to 90 away.
We are happy here. We can forget
Grenfell. But in town all my old ac-
quaintances would tell me could not
live on our income, nor in humble quar-
ters, nor expect them to invite US to
grand dinner parties; and yet they
would not let us hide in peace. 1t will
be much better next year, and We shall
tell fine things OF Massachusetts win
ter and our occupations in it.
: 1T is delicious, this leisurely quiet,
sighed Prescott.
There was step upon the piazza be-
side the breakfast-room; another. an
other, and q man looked in upon them.
II was Grenfell.
He stood deiantly, with his hands in
his pockets. He had assumed a pictur-
esque position, with that vivid sense Of
the tlagic and the romantic which makes
intense individuality, who are conscious
every moment Of their good looks, their
exactions from life, but never Of their
conscience.
"Impertinent ASST" cried Prescott,
starting to his feet.
Grenfell pulled off his soft felt hat
and bowed to Nina, with ever so much
reproach.
Nina essayed to rise, but fell back in
q faint.
Prescott had at that instant raised
the window, and Grenfell rapidly thrust
himself over the sill and sprang to
Nina's side, and lifted her up as she
was falling to the floor. Her husband
sprinkled water on her face. How white
he was himself to see her so crushed by
the presence of this man.
~She must not see you," he said to
Grenfell, in sad, cold voice.
do you think it would harm her.?
the other answered, with deep, sweet
tones.
Nina revived and looked into Gren-
fell's eyes as he knelt beside her chair
with his hands on her alm supportingly,
In moment she was herself.
1T is the first time ever tainted, and
it was not much!" she said, with smile
and pleasant posture Of her head. L
hardly knew whether you were vision
or not, Mr.. Grenfell. Oh, I am quite