The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-11-19

arart; four yesrs passed and ! did rot
write, and when did my letters came
hack marked unknown You. how.
ever. are wrong when you say ! got
tired OF her. have. loved her all these
years. and now. when she has passed
beyond my reach Fah! why do
speak to you. IN u.:ei stanGer. IN
these terms!" he asked. with sudden
coldness. Allow me TO conduct you
to the ballroom. and pray heaven
may never see you again: you remind
me too viv,dly Of what l have LOST.
He raised the portiere.
NO" she replied. !mp.essively. seat
ing herself on the lounge. Il Will not
20 in. Sit down here beside ME. want
to s1cak to you-' He turned TO face
her. cold lines hardening his face.
pardon me-" he said haughtily; II
am unaccustomed to he orae.ed-even
By beautiful woman"
She blushed crimson. and he. seeing
her embarrassment, fastened 10 apollo
Size.
I'm sorry for the way ] spoke to
you just now" he said awkwardly.
{" My pride is my fail"
Charlie"
There vas a pathetic yearning in the
way her lips fingered over the name.
He started violently. stared hard at his
companion. then approaching toe
lounge. said hoarsely:
is It possible? No. you jest! Yet
Zara, can-can 1t be you: For Gods
sake tell me II this is truth. or am
drenming?"
1T Is truer she said softly. rising.
mo. you are joking. or ! must be
dreamingw He seized her hand and
gripped it. then said feverish!y: NO.
this Is real-I am awake" Then. drop
p.ag her hand. said, almos, wistfuily:
"You have come to reprcach me; Is 1t
not 80. Zara? Be merciful"
II came over to England to see you.
not to reproach you! she replied.
gently. "Oh. Charlie. you cannot i'm
asine what agony / underwent during
those four years Of silence! A year ago
left Vera Cruz In the hope Of finding
you. and have only just succeeded in
seeing you. suppose you despise NE
now ! have committed that heinous
crime Of running after man"
She asked the question defantly. q
crimson blush suffusIng her face.
"Despise your he echoed. wonder.
ingly. drawing her trembling form to
him. "Zara! lara! It is / who pose
you that question:"
SHOULD I have crossed the Atlantic
II hadT she queried softly. 4
thought you had forgotten me. and had
I not been assured Of your love to-
night should never have revealed my
personality"
"And your he asked. anIiously.
do you still care for that artist who
asked you 10 be his six years ago."
"As fopdly as did then" she replied.
simply.
And II he wanted TO keep You to
that promise" he asked, gently. tilt
Ing her face up to his. Would You
repeat the answer Of six years ago!"
How do I know he would not ignore
me again" she asked, archly. He
sighed. then muttered bitterly:
True! trne! 1t Is only natural you
should doubt the sincerity Of my love"
She melted at the sight Of his dejec-'
tion. then. nesting her cheek against
his. replied:
Can you forgive me 70: being so
horrid, dear? ! never meant it. for l.
still adhere to my promise Of six years
ago"
She glanced archly up at him rs she
uttered the words. blushing so pret.
tily the while that Montrose flung dis
cretion to the winds and kissed her
passiorately. Zare wr!ggled herself
clear Of his retentive grasp. exclaiming
merrily:
There, that win do! Enough is as
good as a feast; remember this Is at q
ball, please. and see. you have taken
my fringe out of curl! When We are
married I shall only allow You to kiss
me once a day, but never at a ball"
Whether the prohibition was con-
tinued after they were. is a matter,
known only to themseives.-New York
News