The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-10-16

that would save me from the bondage
of poverty"
Meta sadly looked up from her
lounge.
"You have much to be thankful for,
dear Stella" she said softly. Your
health-a beautiful face"
"What is the good of my beauty?
Whom do see now? No one but DR..
James, and he is old and stout, and
knows our poverty too we'll to think
of me-"
At this juncture Mrs. Monito, a
quiet, ladylike woman, entered the
room, and looked from one to the other
of her daughters.
"What is the trouble?" she asked.
Mamma, Stella is tired and wants
to 90 to the seaside" Meta said soft
ly. "Poor Stella is weary of this life,
and think had better give her Uncle
Locrime's gift, and then she can have
her way"
"Nettaw exclaimed the astorished
mother.
Eyes: my money increases very slow
ly, and perhaps, after all. I may not
get better"
At the girls last birthday their
mothers brother had given each SlOO.
Stella had bought some handsome
fnery with her money. but Meta, who
had been for years crippled by fall,
laid hers aside. hoping to save enough
to take her to some celebrated physi-
clan. Buoyed up with that hope she
had painted little pictures for the
stores, and saved each dollar care
fully, but Stella's constant repining
was wearing, and she determined to
give up her hope and let her have her
long looked for trip.
''Do you really mean it, Nctta"
Stella questioned eagerly.
Eyes"
''Then I will tell you what I'll do,
sou dearest Of sisters I shall be sure
ito make a conquest, and when 1 am
married will take you to France, to
the physician you wish to see"
At that moment some one tapped at
the door, and q moment later DR..
James, 4 TALL rather stout man Of
about forty-ive years Of age, with a
grave, kind face, entered.
Two weeks later Stella Monito was
boarding in an aristocratic resort.
Time went by, and her letters home
were not very frequent. Finally one
morning the postman brought one that
ran thus:
:'My Dear Mother and Sister-I am
about to be married and bid adieu to
a life Of poverty forever. Mr. Leland,
my future husband, is Immensely
wealthy. He owns a magnificent res
ddence in the city and one on the Hud-
son. But there is one thing which
am sorry to mention-he does not wish
me to acknowledge my relatives after
marriage. Of course I shall not forget
you, mother and Meta, and shall re,
turn the money which brought me
here at the earliest opportunity. Ny
face has been my fortune. Stella"
Mrs. Monito covered her face with
her hands.
"My child has forsaken me" she
cried.
Meta could hardly utter word of
consolation. What was there to say?
She knew her sister worshlped at the
shrine Of wealth, and cared not how
many hearts she broke if she only
reached her longed-for goal.
A few weeks later DR.. James made
them a visit which was not strictly
professional.
Meta" he said. sitting down beside
her, your sisters summer trip has
won her husband. / read the mar
riage notice in the paper yesterday.
Now, 1 have favor to ask Of you. l
q ! tired of being alone in the world
4 want wife to take care of. and
there Is no one else who would please
me but you. have loved you ever
since you were that high"-with a mo-
tion Of his hand-"and if you will
have me I will take you to France to
the physician you have set your heart
on seeing. If they cure you I shall re.
jo.ce; If they do not, I shall love you
all the more"
Meta looked up in his kind eyes in
surprise - his words were 80 unex.
pected.
''No, nor' she cried. "I will not
take advantage Of your generous offer
j will never be burden to any man"
And all the arguments he could Use
would not induce her to change hel
mind.
The days wore slowly on. A letter
came from Stella:
MY Dear Sister Il am ashamed
that I have not been able to return
your money. but the truth is, though
my husband is immensely wealthy
and I am dressed in the richest OF
gowns, and waited upon like a queen
have not penny Of money under
my control. Everything have is or.
dered and paid for afterward, but by.
nnd-by shall contrive way to get il
for you
"Poor Stellar the mother sighed
81 am afraid that in the end she will
think her summer trip failure"
"And her marriage, too." rejoined
Meta, las all marriages not based Oh
true love prove"
81 have some good news for you'
DIR. James cried. rs he entered tho