The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-03-12

rerpiexedly, land / have nothing un-
less use that silver butterfly.
1t was her one and only gift from
Cleve Randolph.
But II he does not love. II he never
cared for me, as / must believe, he has
forgotten all about 1t, and it isn't an
expensive article" was the thought
which quieted her delicate scruples
about using II 40 coDspicuously.
The ornament was Of filagree silver,
set with blOad red Bohemian garnets.
aud much larger than the butterfly's
natural size.
Poised above n bunch OF delicate
pink oxalis flowers, 1t made an ex-
quisile decoration for Rilla's Easter
bonnet.
But she was not at all eager to dis.
play her pretty headgear among all
the grand millinery which frightened
the sombre old church on that Easter
morning.
II dare say you would be anxious
enough to go II DObody wanted you"
Horatia grnmbIed. "But you are to
carry my wrap and umbrella, and that
settles your freak Of staying ut home"
Horatia lad never ventured before
to demand u maids service OF her
young relative. and for an instant
Rilla's great, limpid gray eyes flashed
fire.
But after all, what did it matter
What did anything matter since love
had failed her?
She stified the indignant refusal On
her lips. And although she sighed q
little rebelliously, she picked up the
articles aud then followed her cousin
from the house.
II expect Cleve, the dear fellow, will
Overtake me. One Of his most de-
lightful attentions was his fashion oi
meeting me on the way, and walking
with me to church," said Horatis
who could recall . siugle event Of the
kind.
On this occasion she did not get q
glimpse Of the young man until after
the services, and then he showed nc
inclination to approach her. nor any
sign that he was aware Of her exis'
tence.
He stood q little apart, his face
strangely pale, and his blue eyes fixed
upon tall beautiful girl, who seemed
lcuriously eager 10 reach the street, ant
wore an Easter bonnet ornamentec
with o silver butterfly.
It was upon the ornament, 10 fac
that the strange and passionately In
tent look was directed, for the girl'.
face was turned from him.
Suddenly he started forward will
inpatient strides, his eyes riveted Oh
the sparkling silver butterfly as II h'
feared that 1t might lift its gem se
wings and fly away.
He overlook RilIa just as she turned
the nearest corner.
"Oh, Rilla ! oh, love !! it Is you !
feared I might be mistaken. had NJ
more hopes OF meeting you In thi
life % be exclaimed In low voic'
vibrating with emotion. =.
| "PeopIe drift apart 90 easily" sale
Rilla, trying to speaking with COO
concern, although she was hal
strangled by her riotious heart-beats.
"You haven't changed toward me
sweetheart ?" he inquired doubtfully
"Ah, II you knew how unhappy
have been, trying to find my lost one.
Then he explained how he was sum
moned away just before the change II
her home was effected, how he wa
detained from month to month, ant
| he came back at last TO discover sh'
was gone, no one seemed to know
W whither.
II wrote until was discouraged BY
getting no letters from you," he con
cluded.- "But I had not ended my
search. I should have started agair
Tomorrow had / not fouEd you here
| 1t was your Easter bonnet, or, rather
the silver butterfly, which revealed
your presence. Only for that, sweet
heart, we might have been kept apar
much longer-perhaps forever. Ar
you glad to see me again love?
Was she glad?
The proud little head with Its weigh
of silky, yellow curis was shyly up
lifted. The lovely gray eyes. wet witt
tears, flashed into his own a look NOR
eloquent than speech.
| Her own door had closed behint
them, and Randolph bent his fiD
head and pressed upon her sweet lip
the seal of their renewed 5etrothal.
1T Is the Easter of our dead hap
piness," he said presently, "and W
must treasure that silver butterfly az
priceless memento Of the day"
Horatia declared she was delighted
but. to confidante sne remarked:
II should have been Cleve's vii
only for that girl. But the NOR
charity one shows some people, tn
less thanks one may expect"