The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-10
Continued.

CHAPTER NXtll.
Continued.
These observations convinced NE
that uncle Sam had that morning de-
ceIyod me when he had SO jauntily as
serted that old Mr.. Wolsey could tell
his wife nothing which she did not al
ready know. l was not, however, so
much interested in that consideration
10 In the dlsQuletude Of Constance.
and In hope that I might be able to
comfort her, my aunt had NO sooner
taken up her position by the piano than
I crossed over and occupied the seat
she had Just vacated.
The attention of the company was
wholly bestowed upon the singer. and
the sound Of another voice, though but
In O whisper. would have been rightly
regarded as an ill-mannered Interrupt
tion. Though I could not for the mo-
ment speak to my fair one. I was able.
even In that public situation. to press
her little hand In mine with q signih-
canoe which was not misunderstood.
Aunt Gertrude was followed BY sew
eral other singers of various degrees
of merit. but all alike In SO fur as they
prevented conversation between Con.
stance and me. nor could find any
convenient opportunity to interiogate
her until we were again on board the
Iroquois. Fortunately ! had hot long
to walt for this. for the river being q
slow way to return to New York City
Il was decided that we should leave
Tarrytown early. We were no sooner
on board than my aunt. whom ! sus-
pect partly understood the aspect OF
affairs, withdrew to the cabin to re-
sumo her book, leaving Constance and
I to do as we would. The evening
being delightfully."- fine and cool, and
the sky an unfathomable blue studded
with innumerable stars. to say moth
Ing Of other reasons, Of course we pre-.
ferred to remain upon deck.
Notwithstanding my impatience to
know precisely how Constance was af.
fected by the. information SIZE had
gained from Mr.. Fuller's letter to Mr..
Price, we were seated closely together
for several minutes before ventured
to ask her. and when ! did so my ques'
tion received no reply, but hot tears
fell. upon my hand. was painfully
surprised and unnerved by this incl
dent. and knelt down beside the dis.
dressed girl, saying know not what.
but doing all In my power to comfort
her. After little while she became
more composed and looked at me stead.
Sly.
my sister must never know Of this" }"
she said: ut would kin her."
'sMust never know Of whatT asked.
"Of the contents Of that letter Mr..
Price showed me-"
81 have not read that letter. but !
fear know what you refer to-" IN
swered.
"Your words confirm the lettei. !
feared 1t was true as read It. Poor
dear Gertie! and she is such q loving
wife. and has such unbounded admira.
ton Of her husband. Can 1t be that
aI1 men IRE false?"
mo, 61rliug. Il cannot, but I confess
I greatly fear there are many such.
Speaking for myself. I swear by the
sky above and the water beneath, and
by the great Being who created them
both. that you are the only woman ]
have ever desired; that II you win be
mine and faithful to me. according to
your promise and my belief. ] am
yours. and yours only. till I die. With
your faith In mankind thus rudely
shaken. and knowing that must leave
you tomorrow not to see you again
for at least q month, can you trust
me?'
Constance looked up at me. and the
tears In her eyes glistened In the star.
light as she softly replied: ,
II viii trust you"
caught the dear girl in my arms
and pressing her face to mine. for the
frst time restowed upon her lips
What is this am writing? This WIN
never do. On reading this page Il
really impresses me as more like lea,
from novel than a passage from the
memoirs Of q middle aged English
squire.