The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-11-15

"Not in the least. All she needs is
care and nourishment, and within q
week or two she will be in her normal
condition as to physical health-at
least, as nearly so as is possible under
the circumstances. But must tell
YOU that she seems to be suffering
from severe mental depression, pro5a-
bly, the result of recent grief. On
that subject she will be more conf
dental with one of her own sex than
she could ever be with crusty old
bachelor like myself. You and she
are about of an age, and I dare wager
that before O week is over you will
both have exchanged condolences to the
last word-if there is such a thing
among young women"
Doctor MacdonaldI exclaimed
Mar, in mock Indignation. "B4t
there! You know you are privi.
legged person, and yon know, too, that
you think young women-all of them
the most charming creatures in the
wide world"
"Certainly, my DEAR" was the
laughing reply. "I owe debt Of
gratitude to the female portion of the
human race. What would my prac.
tice be but for the lovely women Of
this great city? Their wrong-headed'
ness and strong-headedness, their
weak -mindedness and meek-minded.
ness, but, above all, their strong
mindedness! All, my dear, Iadore the
whole lot of them! They multiply my
yearly income by ten"
"I'll hear no more!" interrupted his
impatient listener. "You are incor.
rigible! But I forgive all your calum.
MES against my sex, since you tell
me that this dear girl will suffer no
permanent injury from the accident I
was the means of causing. And now
may 90 to stay with her awhile?"
eyes, if you won't talk too much.
She is quite weak. If she is inclined
to talk to you, let her do so in moder.
alton. It will ease her mind. But
let her rest and sleep as much as she
will. Goodbye. Twill see her again
tomorrow"
Goodbye. You are so good! I will
try to remember all your advice, doc.
tor, and, better still, Twill act uponi t. :"
As she turned away to 60 upstairs,
Miss Hamilton found herself thinking
more deeply than was customary, with
her gay and happy young mind.
Something about Dolores affects
me powerfully" she mused. "She
makes me feel as if I wanted to be
very good. wonder what it is. Per-
haps it is what they call magnetism,
atmosphere and that sort of thing.
I don't understand it a bit, but I'm
sure it is good, for she not only
attracts me but makes me wish to be
noble and great"
AS she reached the door of the room
which had been given to the young
stranger, Mary paused in momentary
hesitation before entering. There
was not the faintest sound from with
in; therefore, she noiselessly opened
the door without knocking, to find her
mother seated near the bed on which
the new occupant lay fast asleep.
Mrs. Hamilton was regarding the
sleeper with looks of the most lively
gratitude as we'll as admiration, and
she turned toward her daughter with
gesture imposing silence. Mary
drew forward a low chair and sat down
close to her mother.
Dolores, who was now under the in
huence of mild sedative as we'll as
wholesome and stimulating nourish-
ment, presented a very different ap-
pearance from that she had presented
few hours before. Her face was
now family flushed with warmth and
sleep, and her magnificent auburn
hair, half unbound and lying on the
lace trimmed pillow, formed fitting
background for the delicate features
and perfect though sharpened outline
of the cheek and chm.
"Isn't she pretty?" whispered
Mary.
Beautiful, rather, I call her."
answered Mrs. Hamilton, in the same
hushed tone.
"Yes, mamma: you nre right"
assented Mary. "Her face is much
too fine for mere prettiness. And
what lovely hands! You can see that
she's q lady, mamma; and I do 80
want sister-I have always longed
for o sister, mamma"
81 know it, dear," answered Mrs.
Hamilton, sitting a faint pang Of
jealousy.
Poor woman! She had tried so
hard to be both mother and sister,
with sometimes a momentary bitter
ness at finding the effort failure.
But, Gas perfect love casteth out
fear;;" so, also, it casts out jealousy.
She caught the sweet face raised to-
ward her, half wistfully, half entreat-
ingly, between her own soft hands
and kissed the rosy mouth with the
passionate fervor of unselfish de-
votion.
"That means yes, '"rexclaimed
Mary. 80 you dear mammal"
ro ~ rONTTNrEn