The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-05-05
LOVE AND HIS SHADOW.
ROSE HAWTHORNE LATHROP.
CHAPTER III.

doors until he should have made a few
inquiries which, it was to be hoped,
might divulge that Grenfell had left the
yivinity, when his wife peremptorily re-
fused to have him drive over the lonely
road without her.
Good gracious, you don't expect me
to stay at home, like rabbit in a hole!
exclaimed Prescott.
Il only know that I consider 1t un-
safe for you to 80 on so lonely road,
yet" she said.
well, I must snap my fingers at the
fancy" replied Prescott. Unless I
sally forth, we can never know any
thing more about that extraordinary
visitation Of last evening. But should
like YOU to be little cautious, your
self. Keep the lower doors and win
dows locked. II there is to be an inter-
view between you and this mad young
sculptor, should prefer to be present.
Il hope I shall not have to meet him,
she faltered.
AT all events we will not get fright
ened," Prescott cheerfully responded.
sYou remember we made up our minds
that nothing should alarm US in this
remote corner Of loneliness, and we
must not weaken In our resolution.
There's the other pistol, on your entry
table. An unpleasant thought, perhaps;
but the Puritans who once lived around
here went to church with their guns,
which was worse severity" He gay
" waved his hand, and drove off.
Nina complied with all he said, but
her eyes and lips had grown, over night,
very sad.
When Prescott came back from the
village he brought letter for his wife
from Mrs. Minsing Bentley, who occa-
sionally wrote city gossip. and sarcas-
tic comments upon up-country vacui-
ties.
By this mail she explained that she
hoped her letter would reach Nina be-
fore Fleet Grenfell did so. She said
that he was cousin of hers, although
she had never made anything Of the re-
lationship till Of late, when he had
leaped into Worldwide fame with his
Joan Of Arc" After arriving from
abroad he had dropped in to see her;
and he had caught sight Of the large
photograph of Nina (n the white opera
cloak looking.so exactly like a statue.
But this ecstacy was changed to evil
dent agony upon his learning that Nina
was married. 1t was all very queer to
Mrs. Minsing Bentley that he should
Immediately express his intention OF
going to Filters Lodge. However, he
had promised to try to persuade the
Prescotts back to town for the holidays.
Still, why on earth did Fleet want to
travel so far into the country side to see
q girl (no matter how beautiful she
might be- after she was dead-or rather,
married-and gomez"
$50 it was not a ghost!" muttered
Prescott, stroking his chin, as his wife
finished reading the letter to him. But,
on the other hand, no one has seen or
heard anything, as far as I could make
out by judicious inquiry, Of a stranger
in the village. I am tasting the Difficult
ties" he added, laughing with an ad-
miring glance, "of having espoused
you. Marvel"
"When ne comes again." she said,
thoughtfully, 'he will be more respect
full; and J. am sure we can persuade
him into being rational; even friendly.
That evening horses canter was
heard approaching from long distance
over the frost-hardened road. It ceased
near the farmhouse; but no one asked
admittance. dark night, with fine
snow just beginning to fail, was bar
rier to Prescott's gaze as he looked out
to see what he could see, and hoping to
hear some retreating hoof-beats;
though he was disappointed in this.
He must be about here" the young
husband ccnfided to his wife, on with
drawing to the cheerful parlor.
Perhaps it was only a peddler or
some such wayfarer, she said. If we
did not hear the horse pass on, it may
be that he went upon the turf"
Il give you my word, I can hardly
think of anything else besides this
mani" Prescott growled, in disgust.
Nina became pallid. But she brought
out the chess board, and their two
young faces soon grew radiant over
their eagerness to win, and yet not to
let each other lose. They played until
quite late, and before retiring stood
over the sunset lights Of their heart
fire, in the leisurely way of two crea-
lures left we'll alone to love. A log fell
apart with faint crashing sound.
Did you near thatF" suddenly ex-
claimed Nina.
Yes; it was a distinct utterance, as
the log broke to pieces, as if some one
had cried, Mo-
Beneath us?"
YES"
Tom, we are growing horribly nerv-
ous!"
Il believe we are. 1t must have been
Imagination. Come, let US put it all
aside, this instant and forever!"
Plump had crept into the cellar, while
Miffin dozed with her back against the
wall, having fallen accidentally asleep
In the warm kitchen. There was par
ticular spot in the cellar, dark and un
promising as the place otherwise
showed forth, which Plump loved. He
had no fear Of anything when he was on
his way to this spot. His candle never
f1ickered or trembled as he shaded it
with one palm, while he penetrated the
dark shadows Of the cellar on those for
tunate, unwilling nights when Mitfin's
eyes disappeared behind her black face
drowsily. The old negro patted along,
half smiling, picking his footsteps with
eyes lent upon the ground. A fragrance
smote his grotesque nostrils and he
raised his glad gaze. Then he benz
down in terror, as if he were bur-
dened with a tons weight upon his
shoulders. Sitting upon keg Of wine
was young man who smiled, with
raised eyebrows, and quaffed deep
draught from the contents Of bottle OF
old port, which he had taken off of an
adjacent shelf, and held, empty, over
his knee He drank from mug with
Plump had supposed was undiscover-
ably hidden in Granny OF the cellar
wall.
"Massa! massa!" mumbled Plump.
we got burglars, shu' 'nuff."
hn