The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-11-18
CHAPTER XVI.
Continued.

Continued.
81 have not had much acquaintance
with the plumage which the blind god
sports, but if the happiness which l
see there is from him can only say
that he chose a noble couple to bestoW
it upon. MI. Degraw is gifted man
and Miss Rogers is a gifted woman.
Why should they not appreciate each
other"
On the other side Of the room the
subjects of these remarks were listen
ing to the music and whispering short
sentences into each others ears. II
Cupid were there he heard words
which surely had been murmured un-
der his auspices before. Yet they are
always new.
81 love you, signorina, love you, l
love you! Do you think you can trust
me to make you happy? I do not ask
you to answer me at once, only do not
forbid me speaking. You are so beau
tiful so beautiful"
A soft sigh was her only reply.
81 know that the time is short since
We were strangers, and 1 knew moth
ing of your life or Of you. But such
rencontre as brought US first together
is equal to year of common compan-
ionship, for in it were both death and
life. I loved you when I thought you
were dead, and now, that I touch you
and hear you speak, am moved by
such overwhelming emotions that for
me there is nothing of interest in the
world but love and our two selves"
"Ahr' was again the murmured re-
ply. "Is love so sweet? Does it COM
pensate one for other worldly losses?
would gladly believe so. Teach me-"
"Will I not? Say only that you will
not scorn the teacher. and all my life
Is at your service. I have not loved
before-no, no, proud signorina, how
ever you may smile, have never even
thought that loved before. You are
my first alteration, and so deep already
has the feeling gone that I ask moth
ing more from heaven than your love;
not fame, not honor, not wealth; moth
Eng but you, you, your
She might have responded: her lips
had opened and her eyes had flashed
radiantly, but before the words could
issue from her lips there was sudden
hush in the music, and more than one
whisperer paused and glanced hastily
toward the door. A stranger was en-
Hering, a remarkable man, in whose
tall form and courtly carriage all read
gentleman, but not q gentleman they
knew, not even the hostess. Who was
he? A dozen eyes asked the inquiry
between the instant when ne crossed
the threshold and that in which he
made his bow to the assembled COM
pany. Who was he? And the men
were rs eager as the ladies. for he
seemed to have come there with q
purpose.
It was but a moment, but that mo-
ment was never forgotten by any one
then present in the room. First be-
cause of something they saw in the
stranger. This was the sudden and
oyerpowering admiration which he be-
trayed as his gaze passed straight be-
ulll W luS NluC "ihoO" SSoS o1N
its beautiful occupant. Not an eye in
the room but followed him, to the Sig
norina's evident confusion and grow
ing loveliness, for she had been caught
with the lovelight on her face, and,
perhaps, with confession on her lips,
and she feared, If she did not know,
that her secret was discovered. The
second cause for this moment becom-
ing memorable lay in the conduct OF
the hostess. She had taken the card
which the servant had brought her,
and was looking at it with wonder
she found it impossible to disguise.
Excuse me-" she said, advancing to
the stranger with cordial smile, in
which, however, a certain tinge of
doubt was visible, "is this your name
which I find written on this card:'
He started, turned from the object
which had evidently engrossed all his
thought, and made Miss Aspinwall an
other low bow.
Certainly, madam, it is my name"
was his response, uttered in some sur
prise. 81 have here letter Of intro
duction from Mr.. Morris. of Cleveland,
which, if you will be kind enough to
read, I shall feel more at home in your
presence"
She reached out her left hand me-
chanically, but her eyes were still
fixed upon the small bit Of pasteboard
she held in the right.
"You must pardon me-" she persist
ed. "but the name on this card is"
She evidently found it hard to men
tion it. She looked across the room,
and the color flashed into her face.
The stranger. impressed, if not en-
barrassed, took uD her sentence and
finished it for her.
The name on that card is mine" he
declared. Hamilton Degraw. Do
Tn,' tind anything strange in it,"
CHAPTER XVII.
THE FIRST STEP TAKEN.
Anything strange in it? Well, yes,