The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-05-23
CHAPTER XIV.
LOVES MARTYRDoM. .

Mary Hamilton said truly when she
told her mother that she had expert
enced revulsion of feeling in regard
to Clarence Stanley; but wishing to
spare the heart that had ever loved
her entirely, she had not told all the
truth. She had, indeed, been shocked
and Mortified by the words she had
heard him speak to Dolores; and she
had, insensibly, thought a score of
things toosterrible to put into form in
regard to the apparent recognition OF
him by Madame Helmholtz. "
It was we'll enough for Dolores to
insist that Stanley did not love her
that his .avowal was prompted merely
by his passion for money and his de-
sire to gain possession of the mysteri-
ous and wonderful Mendoza treasure!
But the tones of his voice still rang in
PolIy's ears, and the passionate in
tensity with which he had declared
his love was in striking and very pain
full contrast to the tranquil and COM
mon-place manner that had ever
characterized his love-making to her
self.
All the evening, after her mother
had left her-for her sleep was
soon overland far into the night,
Mary Hamilton reviewed her ao-
quaintance with Clarence Stanley;
and much that had $50 often seemed
>strange, even tc her partial judgment,
showed all too clearly now-but in
dark and 'lurid colors. d.
'f0h, Rita! Ritari groaned the
unhaRpy girl, writhing in pain so
great that it was worse to endure than
physical suffering. SIS it you whom
I have loved above all other women
except my Ipother-is it you, dear
Rita, that has brought me this great
sorrow? For iAis idle to conceal from
myself that the bf&terest drop in this
most bitter cup is hhe knowledge that
Clarence loves Rit& and has never
loved mel"
Again and again, through the weary
watches of the night, did these
thoughts. in every conceivable varia-
ton, chase each other through this
poor girls tortured fancy, tilH quite
worn out, at last she fell asleep from
but not until another\and
yet sadder day had already begun TO
dawn. ~
1t was late in the morning, and the
household had already breakfasted,
when Mary Hamilton awoke to that
poignant realization of ever-present
suffering which comes like dagger
thrust on first returning to wakeful-
ness after bitter sorrow. She woke
with, long drawn. moaning sigh-s
sound which struck, like blow, eher
mother, who was standing beside the
bed, waiting for the dear eyes she
loved to unclose. go
"Oh, mamma" exclaimed Polly,
with a rush of recollection which sent
the tears to her eyes; and then, catch
ing the distressed look on Mrs. Ham
ilton's face, the daughter bravely
smiled through her tears, though
with d sinking heart, for she saw in
one swift glance a new and utterly
desperate sorrow in her mothers face.
'How soundly I have sleptp she 1
exclaimed, with an affectation OF en-
tire forgetfulness of the past night
and oil its suffering. ''It is long
since 1 have slept so late in the morn
ing. Perhaps I shall actually be.
4
come O fashionable girl at last and
sleep as late as Bertha Seton. But
what is the matter, mamma. dear?
You look troubled about something,
No accident to any one, I hope?
Whatne misfortune has come upon
u.s.? Has any harm come to Clarence?
Is he i'll? Is he dead?"
Would to heaven that be had been
dead before you ever saw his false
aud treacherous face!" exclaimed Mrs.
Hamilton, bitterly.
"Ah! Then he is not dead! Thank
God for thatl" cried Mary. as she sud.