The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-11-29
1Fe :, 3paDish e 7tasore.
: A NOVEL,.
1p Hrs. elizabeth G. @inter.'
fConrripht 1892 and lse3 by ROBERT BoSHEhs SoNs.)
CHAPLER ".
isabella CASTELAR.)
CONTINUED.

CONTINUED.
From the first Dolores had pos
sessed a certain command over Mary
Hamilton, who, although naturally
self.willed and not lacking in strength
Of character, always submitted to the
influence of this strange girl. She
was aware of this, and did not resent
Il: and she was still thinking about it
when Dolores returned to the car
riaee. The brief visit to her old
abode had been painful, and she was
pale and trembling, but she had evil
Gently been successful, for she car
ried in her hand little box OF some
old-fashioned japanese workmanship,
in which were contained all her
worldly possessions:
eyes" she said, in answer to
Mary's questioning gaze, 81 have
everything safe. Let me show, you
the picture of mamma-it is so beau
tiful! Papa had it painted soon after
their marriage. AS you may see, the
frame was once set with. jewels, but
they melted away, one by one, leaving
only the lovely face-to me, the cholc-
est gem OF all. =,
she pressed the frame Of the old
fashioned case, and, as the lid flew
back, Mary could not repress cry OF
almost startled admiration at the
beauty of the exquisite face that was
revealed to her. The likeness was a
miniature on ivory, painted by the
hand of genius. "The lily's snow and
the blood of the rose" had met to
form that exquisite complexion; the
mouth, soft as velvet and crimson as
q acherry, seemed really to unclose, so
life-like we're the smiling lips; the
ewes were like dewy violets, and were
shaded by dark lashes that curled up
ward like baby's, and eyebrows al
most as dark lay in perfect curves
upon forehead white and clear as the
silvery brightness of the new moon.
The final touch of color lay in the
hair, shining like shower of gold as
it fell in unbound, girlish carelessress
about the neck and shoulders.
"Oh, what a beauty" exclaimed
Mary, almost breathless with admira-
ton. 81 never saw such lovely face!
see where you get the ruddy, golden
lights in your hair, Lorita, but"
ct am not to be named in the same
day with her." said Dolores, filling
out the sentence that Mary left incom-
plete. 'sI know it, dear. There was
NO one-no one-so beautiful as my
mother"
And the listener easily understood
that love for her mother had been the
one sole passion of this girls life.
She knew already how sad, what
mockery of destiny, had been the end
of that beautiful woman; and she
longed to change the thoughts that
were pressing so painfully on the
mind and heart of her lonely child,
but she knew not in what words to
begin, without seeming hard and un-
sympathetic. Dolores understood,
and responded to the unspoken
thought. Pressing her lips to the
lovely, rniling lips Of the picture, she
closed the frame and returned the
miniature to it's place.
"Some day we will read the manu-
script together, Maruja, though by
this time, perhaps, You can guess at
the most of it, since T have told you
so much of myself and my ancestry.
But it will be sweet to talk it all over
with you as I used to do with mamma.
What thrilling tales and wild romances
we have built up on that legend! Many
and many time it has served US for
dinner and supper. and often in the
magnificent feasts of our heroes and
heroines have we fed ourselves and
forgotten that we were hungry"
As the carriage now turned into the
avenue, on their rapid drive home
ward, Mary suddenly leaned forward
aud waved her hand, in answer to a
bow from gentleman whom they had
passed on their way.
"Did you see him." she asked, with
scarce repressed excitement, and
turned her sparkling face to Dolores.
'Isaw gentleman-yes. He bowed
to you, but + did not notice him par
tlcularly.''
"It was Clarence Stanley-the Hon.
Clarence Stanley in his own country,
you know. Oh, Lorita, II like
him, think. I wish you had noticed
him-particnlarly. But no matter.
You will have better opportunity
soon, for he will be sure to call on US
to-day. suppose he has only just
come to town, for he has been in Chi
cago for some time Lorita, dearest,
were you ever in love?"
"Never" returned Dolores, with
the promptness of absolute con viction.
Mary sighed impatiently.
Il supposed you would say that"
she said. "And. indeed, how could
you, for you never had time; aad, oh,
my dear little Lorita, it does take such
an awful lot of time! But I can't help
wishing you had been, because-per-
could enlighten me little.
I'm afraid--sometimes I'm awfully
afraid that am in love, Rita, and if I
am and he is not, whatever shall I do,
my dear?"
Dolores smiled, as mothers aud elder
sisters smile over spoiled children; the
trouble that was agitating Polly Ham
ilton seemed then so trivial to her.
Don't be disturbed about it,
Maruia," she said placidly. eff you
are in love, you will certainly find it
out in good time; and I don't think
any properly disposed young gentle
man can fail to respond toS such a COM
pliment il the right way"