The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-01-24

turned on, and as they approached
their home again the usual vivaclty
that had characterized Dolores gradu-
ally disappeared, and the reactic:- to
the mood of dreamy abstraction which
Mary Hamilton had often observed in
her before was very marked. But
this lively and light-hearted girl had
often deep thoughts; and now, in
stead of commenting upon this change
of manner, she said to herself:
"On the whole, I don't know but l
ought to be very grateful that Rita
doesn't feel any enthusiastic admira.
ton for Clarence. Darling Lorita!
She would be very dangerous rival. :"
The change to pensiveness and abb
sent-mindedness on the part of Dol
ores continued all through dinner
time, and Mr.. Hamilton, who admired
the strange young Spanish girl and
shared with his wife and Mary feel
ing of profound gratitude toward her,
but to whom she was greater mys-
terv than womankind generally, raj
lied her playfully in regard to her ap.
parent unconsciousness OF the world
about her.
Dolores responded with her Gus
tomary sweetness, but the effort she
made to seem interested and to bring
her thoughts back to earth again was
so evident to Polly that she immedi-
ately took possession of her when they
left the table.
Glow was my exercise, Mistress
Governess?" she asked, laughingly.
"Do I improve in my Spanish?"
"Oh, yes, indeed; there were not
more than six mistakes" said Dolores.
"Six! Oh, I am doing splendidly!
There used to be about sixteen to the
page. Come and show me and ex-
plain the corrections. And when
they were alone together Mary said:
'Never mind the exercise just now,
dear. I saw that papa's teasing was
too much for you. I'm afraid our
drive has tired you"
'I am afraid I am more than tired,
Maruia," said Dolores, gravely. II
am under some strange influence; I
have felt more or less since first met
Mr.. Stanley"
Mary started and almost gasped
with surprise, but she resisted the
inclination to speak. Dolores con-
tinued:
"I don't know what it is or how to
describe it; but, perhaps there is
some truth in these stories Of hypno-
tism and the mysterious occult in
huences of mind upon mind. When
you understand that I have, perhaps,
inherited peculiar organization from
my strangely mixed ancestry, you will
not wonder 80 much that I am little
strange and unlike other girls. I am
going to read that manuscript to you
now, at any time you please. You
yourself shall appoint the time"
"Oh, thank you, dearest Rita! And
Clarence, too-you will let him be
present."
ooh, yes; if Mr.. Stanley is really
related to me, it is his right to some
extent. 1t may be Of value to him to
know that we inherit strain of evil,
that it requires all our possibilities of
good to oppose"
"How seriously you take it all,
Lorita! Why, it is nothing but
Legend" said Mary, but feeling some
what awed in spite of herself at the
grave, almostprophetic manner of her
friend.
"Life is' serious, Maruja, though I
hope you will never know how terribly
serious it may be at times. Yours
should be all sunshine. It seems as
if intended for nothing but JOY. But
mine has been full of mystery, and
now it seems more so than ever. I
feel at,this moment as il some appalling
fate overshadowed meas if I were
mysteriously linked to some great un-
known wrong, of which I am as inno-
cent as am ignorant-and now feel
that some one near to me is in great
danger-danger from which I ought
to help him. All, be strong, resist,
awake! Awake!"
Mary Hamilton felt chill of terror
take possession of her, as she beheld
Dolores become more and more ex.
cited till, with the last words, she
stretched out her hands imploringly,
her face pale but strangely exalted in
expression, while her beautiful eyes,
gazing into space, glowed like fiery
Jewels and were luminous as if from
some inner light. Slowly the rapt
look passed from her face, faint rose
color came into her cheeks, and she
murmured:
s'He is safe--she never fails me-
and now have seen her facet"
A slight shiver passed over her and,
with long sigh, she turned and met
Polly Hamilton's anxious, awe-struck,
half-territied gaze.
ooh, Maruja, have I frightened
you? am SO sorry"
Enlightened mel" gasped Polly, 'I
should say so! You have about scared
the wits out of me; butI have a CLEAN
of sense left. I am going this Instant
to send for Doctor Mac. know you
are going to have some awful illness
"a brain-feyer or somethlng-'
"Not at ALL" said Dolores. "See,
take my hand-feel my pulse-I am
perfectly calm. All the recent excite
ment has left me, and I feel we'll and
happy"
And, indeed, Mary Hamilton could
not but see that very tranquilizlng
change had passed over her friend,
and. SO far as her physical condition
could show, she seemed to be entirely
well.
"You are q wonderful creature"