The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-11-15
A NOVEL,.
Bp Wrs. elizabeth G. @i2ter.
copyright. 1892 and 1893. by ROBERT BoSSERs Sons,
isabella cASTELAR.)

| over my foot" she murmured. Her
head fell back. She had tainted.
"Drive home, James, quick as light
ming, and be CAREFUL" cried Miss
Hamilton, with the manner that never
offended her servants, though it al
ways brought prompt obedience.
She passed an arm under the neck
of the insensible girl and gently pill
lowed the dropping head on her shoul'
der.
Mary Hamilton was an only child,
and from infancy her will had been
done in the home when she reigned,
an undisputed queen. When but q
boy, her father had "found his luck, u
to borrow his own words, in California
in 40; and having level head and an
honest heart, he had managed to hold
on his 'luck" when others all around
him had either lost or sqandered theirs.
He grew rich rapidly, and on the prin,
ciple that like attracts like, his money
seemed to have the knack of constantly
doubling itself, not only in business
enterprises but in the more personal
affairs of his life. At the age of thirty
he married the daughter of million.
aire, and though it was love-match,
it doubled his wealth; and it was with
more than ordinary gladness that he
welcomed his first child. But with
the coming Of this coveted heir came
the first great grief that had ever fallen
upon the parents-the boy died when
only three years old. Within the next
FIVE years sister and then brother
were both laid to rest beside him on
that beautiful hill that overlooks the
Pacific Ocean in the suburbs of San
Francisco. It was then, in the depth
of their desolation, that the bereaved
father and mother felt how useless,
how worse than useless, and almost a
cruel mockery, was the wealth they
had rejoiced in possessing, only that
they might hand it on to those who
would follow them.
But after some sad and lonely years
years of such bitter grief and disap-
pointm ent as teach the heart great
lessons-another child came to them
and was not called away. They named
her Mary, the loveliest of names, but
its owner ruthlessly broke it up into
that of "Polly," as soon as she could
speak; and, so strong is the force OF
association, to the two who loved her
as the dearest things on earth, "Polly"
soon became the most charming name
in the world, since it represented all
that was prettiest, most fascinating
and endearing, most roguish, playful
and delightful to them.
In truth Polly Hamilton was sweet
and lovable girl. Though spoiled from
her cradle she was not selfish, except
in o superficial way, and not rainer
than other girls whose mirrors COM
pliment them even more than their
| friends. She was simple, warm
hearted and affectionate, loyal to all
who loved her, and not bitterly unfor-
giving to her enemies-if she had any.
As the carriage was whirled onward
Mary Hamilton spent the few minutes
of the drive homeward in looking at
the insensible face resting against her
shoulder, and in trying to guess at its
owners history.
DOLORES Mendozap' she thought.
"a Spanish name and a good one,
There was Mendoza down in Yuma
County, and he claimed to belong to
the old Castilian aristocracy. Paps
will know. wonder if this girl is
any kin to that stock. She has strik-
ing face, now that I look at her closely.
And what hair, with her olive COM
plexion! What could she mean by
trying to get rid of her life? So young
she can't be more than twenty. Poor
girl! And she is poor. too, for every
thing about her shows it. How slen-
der and delicate she looks! All! I'm
afraid she hasn't even had enough to
cot, and taking one of the ungloved
hands that were lying so helplessly
still, in all the unconscious pathos of
insensibility, she raised it tenderly,
and looked with a searching, critical
gaze at the delicate attenuated fingers
Though brought up in luxury, Mary
Hamilton had seen enough of life in
the land of quick gains and quicker
losses to recognize the signs Of pow
erty that had overtakhn those born to
better fortune. Her own warm hand
closed over the thin, worn fingers;
and she thought, gratefully, how easy
it would be to change a part of the
hard fate which had been laid on this
unknown girl.
At that moment the carriag stopped
in front OF handsome hou ;e in one
of the new and fashionable uptown
streets, and in the briefest possible
time, James. assisted by one of the in
door servants, was carrying the still
unconscious girl through the wide hall
and up to the room of their young
mistress.
CHAPTER II.