The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-09-11
servants, had made herself an indls!
pensable element to the generous

one morning. Mrs. Button said to
her: ~ &a!'aE1 Il
Jessie, my dear, I am sorry to tell
you that 1 shall have q guest for
week or two, because fear his pres.
ence will Danish you to your own
apartment"
Jessie changed color.
"You are kind to consider me, dear
madam" she said.
Mrs Button nodded.
II am very fond Of the young man
expect His mother was my best
friend in girlEood, and her boy is very
dear to me; but We were getting on
with our readings so nicely that wish
his visit had been earlier or later"
Jessie answered her kind smile with
a look of deep gratitude.
LAS he will he here to dinner, he
says, this is our last morning together
for q little while, at all events
so pray let US enjoy our book"
True to his promise, the stranger
arrived half an hour before the dinner
hour, and was shown to his room
like familiar guest. He was young
man of frank al attractive appear
ance, not yet thirty, and evidently,
when in good spirits, what is general
ly termed excellent company.
He was not in a happy mental con-
diti6n at present, however, as Mrs.
Button, soon discovered.
"Wby, my dear Milton" she ex-
claimed before they were half through
dinner. what has become Of your
appetite and your usual good humor?
You surprise and distress me. was
impressed by something sad in your
letter but hoped it was imaginary on
my part. Now, however, I see that
you look i'll, and seem like one bereft
of hope, and you tell me that within
this very week you have fallen heir to
a nice round sum from an eccentric
aunt who had lived hermit's life"
"That is true, Mrs. Button" an
swered Milton Arlington, land Aunt
Mary's legacy, had it come earlier,
would have been the greatest blessing
could ask from Heaven, since 1t
would have given me the means Of
marrying the only woman I ever did
or ever shall love!'
"And is she now lost to you?"
He bowed his head, bit his lips
nervously, and changed the subject.
Milton Arlington had chosen his
profession rather late, and was a
preacher Of only one year and half's
standing. He was thoroughly in
earnest, a fine speaker, and was be-
ginning to be known; but his income
was yet quite small and his private
means had been almost swallowed up
in building up his church.
A few evenings later he entered
Mrs. Buttons drawing room, flung
himself, with a listless air, into. an
easy chair, and looked at his hostess
with the dull, hopeless look that was
becoming habitual to his fine eyes.
DO you know, Mrs. Button" he
said, II am accusing myself of selfish
ness in remaining here. You are my
mothers oldest friend, and owe it to
you to be frank, so I will confess that
my object in coming was to catch
glimpse, if possible. of-of Jessie st.
John, the girl I loved, before her hand
was irretrievably given to another.
was drawn by a species Of torment
1 could not resist to haunt the outside
of the mansion in which my favored
rival lives. 1t belongs t. his father,
Jessie's guardian, and the maker of
the match. I felt sure from the first
that the poor girl never favored the
arrangement, and that could win her
if was rich enough to speak my love;
but remember, Mrs. Button, she is an
heiress, and what motive would be
given to q penniless wooer, as I was
then?"
But you are not now, Milton!" cried
Mrs. Button, eagerly. You have
money now; why need you fear to
offer yourself"
1T is too late-too later groaned the
young man. There was wedding
at the Jackson's mansion last night,
and she is Jacob Jackson's wife now"
mo, no" cried a joyous voice at the
door, and, to Mrs. Buttons supreme
amazement, Jessie Pallama dashed
excitedly into the apartment. Jacob
married his cousin Fannie last night.
See here; read it in the paper. I saw
it there, and it set me crazy with Joy.
Poor Fannie! I overheard Jacob and
her lamenting together over their hard
fate, and Fannie said:
"'Oh, if Jessie St. John would only
disappear, never to be seen again,
uncle would get over this desire to
keep her fortune in the family, and
could be happy, Jake
That gave me courage to do q
desperate thing. I wrote note to
my guardian, telling him I had gone
away, never to return, and slipped
down stairs, took my maids hat and
shawl, and ran al the way to Fifth
avenue to Mrs. Button's-for my
maids cousin lived there once, and
told me what Il good. noble lady Mrs.
Button was. This inspired me with
the hope that she would receive and
help me. When 1 realized how much
l was asking lost heart, and feared
she would refuse me; but she did not,
and l owe more than life to herw
cried the impulsive girl, bursting into
tears and fingipg herself into the
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