The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-11-07

said; 'for, after all, You ought to
know"
81 know already" Mr.. Vernon
calmly replied, "all that you can tell
me and more"
"No, not all. Kirk MacCol-
lough's last-no, not exactly last, nor
yet his worst, but one of his acts you
have no account of. I will tell you"
Then the old man described his
meeting with Pierre Rameau in tho
Pearl.River country and the cold
blooded event of it. He showed no
sepile garrulity in delivering him.
self. Indeed, the blunt thrust of his
sentences gave an awful realism to his
story.
II felt that it was best to tell you,
he added at the end, with something
like suggestion OF regret or apology
for the infiction.
"Oh, certainly" said Mr.. Vernon.
The GOODNESS Of this remark, not
far removed from sheer Indifference,
seemed to excite Burns inordinately,
and, as if in retaliation, he began at.
once to tell what Ramean had said re-
garding the fate of Margaret, and con-
sciously with great cunning or uncon-
sciously with supreme feeling he pre-:
sented the absolute dramatic spirit. OF
the terrible deed.
Mr.. Vernon stood in on attitude OF
stark attention. The story was
quickly told with few gestures and in
low tone. .
"But-but-" Burns hesitated
moment as he was concluding, gazing
fixedly the while-"t Though you saved
my life, though would all but die
for your and yours, I. cannot spare
him-I cannot spare him even for
you!"
Mr.. Vernon wrung water from his
beard and stood silent. The rain
was soaking his clothes, but he did
not feel it. .,r = .!
A little later the two. old men
parted, Burns refusing%o accompany
| the other any farther or to accept any
aid from him. Unc6nseiously,p how
ever, he wore away Nj, Yernon's. COM
Portable top-coat. :.
At Chateau dor, meantime, Paul
inc and her mother were discussing q
subject which mothers and daughters
have bnsjed themselves with sipse the
first day that love and marriage were
| lifted to true saletity in human
households. Fairfax had just gone
away; and Pauline, with true French
impetuosity, an inheritance from
Madame Vernon. ran to that warm
hearted woman and flung herself into
her arms. The act interpreted ITSELF
for the mother knew every movement
of her child aud its meaning. She
had expected this and was glad of it,
and yet she felt thrill that was more
than half pang as" she clasped the
1.-the, quiyering form and began pas
sionately to kiss the blooming lips
and cheeks, She felt hot tears drop
ping from tho girls eyes. = >. T., .
7 E.But he is going to the army, -
Pauline sobbed. "Going right away
to fghtI' ,F..... -.
"And your father, too, is going"
said Mrs. Vernon, stroking her bright
hair. soothingly. eve must be as
brave as they" - =, <.
In the midst of her distress, which
was, so largely joy, Pauline felt, dis
tinct satisfaction in the parallel i'm
piled BY her mothers remark. 1t was
as If. she had saia: my dearest one,
too, is going to Join the army. If Is
can.let mine go, you can let yours go.
We are quite on an equality in the
the matter" The comfort in this
leteling aud blending suggestion may
have been remote and obscure to a
degree; but it was nevertheless un-
mistakable. -.........,
"But they will be killed! They
will be brought back dsadp' Pauline
continued, putting hand on each
side of her mothers face and gazing
through her tears. ....EA: 4 f.
"We'll hope not. Well pray for
their safety, my dear. God takes care
of us all. He keeps our beloved ones
for u.s." q" H ~ 5y.-GGs
"Our beloved opesp' The phrase
was like sweet chime in Pauline's
ears. e.as .i% Ea'..
''But why must war come just now,
mamma, dear? Just now-iust now
when we are so happyr' s ...,l
"Men" must fight, you, know; it is
their glory. And we roor women must
wait and pray"
/ A servant announced Mademoiselle
de Sezannes, who soon appeared, still
mufaed in her carriage:cloak. with a
touch of the rain on her clothes. Her
beauty Was much heightened by her
air of excitement. She had come to
Pauline for comfort in her distress.
Lieutenant Ballanche had been sent
down the river IN command of scout
ing party detached by order of Gen.
eral Jackson. -" ....s.,.', s..