The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-11-28
Her Love Crowned.


handsome.
"Not bad looSingy accompanied b,
shrug of the shoulders, was general.
the acme of praise awarded justin
Seymour.
He had ~fne, dark eyes-eyes whicl
looked ri you half searchingly, hal
suspiciousl y-eyes which told you il
a glance that he had little faith in hi
fellow men. But no cynical light
cleaned in those eyes now, for they
rested on the earnest face of Myr,
Blaine.
Myra's earnestne-s was too much
for him his cynicism vanished before
it. She talked to him as no one hat
talked to him before; she cast some
influence over him-an influence be
tried to resist at first, put seemingly
he yielded to it now, for every
morning found him sitting here il
this pleasant room, where Myra came
with her handiwork.
Justin Seymour has considerable
Of his Satanic Majesty in his compost
ton, but l believe, my dear Myra, thai
is always an attraction for your sex
lie has been deceived and disappointed
until he hasn't any iaith left but
he's very good sort of fellow, for all
lhat.n
This was what Philip Aymer, Myra
intended husband, said to her the day
he brought Justin Seymour with him
on visit to her fathers house. And
instantly her pure heart went cut in
pity to this strong man, who was, she
thought SO much IN need of q helping
hand.
All, dangerous pity ! Myra's embroi-
derry lay in her lap. She had not set
a stitch in it for the last fifteen minutes.
Her great, earnest, violet eyes were
raised to Justin Seymour's dark ones,
as she sat talking to him. i -
A footstep sounded in the hallway
without, and Justin Seymour rose and
abruptly quilted the room as Philip Ay-
mer sauntered In. e
What meant Justin Seymour's sud :
den departure when Philip entered2
This same thing had happened
before, but Philip noticed it NOW for
the first time. -. -. q,
He looked over at }Myra: With
cheeks aglow her head was bent
over her embroidery; nor did, she
raise her eyes to see who entered.
He crossed over to the window and
looked, out for several moments
end still Myra didnot raise her eyes to
sSoSk at him. .' = b =. ~. -,
"Myra, /" he said, suddenly turning
from the window, You are getting lin-
terested in Mr.. Seymour or ne Is getting
interested in you-which is it?" & =
" Perhaps we are getting interested in
each other" said Myra, Smiling, (.
Myra, you should not get, interested
in Justin Seymour. He is not good
m an-he had led a hard life ~ "a
Phillip Aymer, for shame! to speak
of yonr friend in such a manper! Do
you forget, sir, that you have left this
man, who is so very bad who; has led
such, an awful life -and me e to
entertain each other every day, since
you came here?" cried Myra, indig-
nantly. ,jSs Eair5
Philip Aymer's face turned scarlet.
He crossed over to Myta,s side. az
"Myra," be said, putting his arm
about her. "a - Z Z : (5g
Don't touch me, don'i!9 I cannot
hear it"' said, Myra, drawing from
him, and, frightened at her0wn words,
she covered bel. face with, her hand.
80 it has come to this!" thought
Philip, every vestige of color leaving
his face. - <%=.:-.s .,. ~
They were engaged to be married
Their parents had mana ged theen
gagement for them while they were
too young to do it themselves. But
Philip NIas very well satisfied with the
parental arrangement, not that he was
desperately in love with Myra, but he
liked her, End she possessed fortune
and money; was Philip Aymer's god.
And Myra was willing to please her
parents. Philip was hapasQpe, she
liked him, bet loya yasSllls Sls knew nothing
Ssout IT untliEdntil Just now, when
p hsp p1t6T. arm about her, and she
knew just as surely as she did in the
days that followed that she loved Justin
Seymour. .s. I%E
"Myra, I think your conduct needs
an explanation"
"Yes. it does" said Myra, quietly,
her hands dropping from her face,
81 never understood my own heart
till today. Philip LIDO not love you;
l can never be your wife.
"You do not love me, but you love
Justin Seymour a man who never
cares for anybody but himself rover
on the face Of the earth; he is here to-
day, and away tomorrow, having faith
in no one. caring for none but bimsel :"
"Philip!" came reproachfully fromr
Myra's lips, but he turned away with
a frown, left the room and went in
search of Justin Seymour.
e." Miss Blaine, am going away to
morrow morning too early to see you, so
1 will say goodbye now"
The book Myra had been reading fell
from her hands, her heart seemed to
rise to her throat and suffocate her as
Justin Seymour hurriedly entered the
room and, making his way over TO her
side, uttered the above words.
1t was true, then, what Philip had
said. This man would never care
anything for her; he was here to-day
and away Tomorrow.
"Myra struggled for composure'
"This. is quite unexpected, Mr.. Sey'
mour. / hope we haven't failed to make
your visit here pleasant one?" said
Myra, looking straight before her.
Miss BiaiEe, if it will give you
any pleasure, to know it, I am leaving
your happy home far better man
tn an I was, when entered it,"
Myra looked up quickly and met the
dark eyes of Justin Seymour fixed ten
derly upon her.
ooh, I am so glad, Mr.. Seymour!'
she cried in her old, impulsive, earnes
manner, and, laying her hand upHr