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

other reason for his modesty than thai
of Indifference. And to any one ,IooI.
ing at her now such interest would
seem only natural. Though the othe1
women grouped around her are more
or less fair, attractive or vivaclous, in
none does the pure light of womanli
ness shine with such a radiance as ir
her, while in her beauty there burns
chaste fire which is not always to he
seen there. What has called it forthi
The influence is not fully apparent
yet it is felt by these men who study
her this night with their souls in their
eyes.
Are her thoughts with them? Tile
man by the pillar has the air of salts
fed lover, but, then, the depths of his
purse have never been sounded. and
some say that neither have the depths
of his conceit. The others do not seem
rs happy, though one Of them stands
so near to her that he can hear the
short sigh that now and then parts her
lips. Do they miss something from
her look or glance that they have been
accustomed to see there?
1t may be, for Eow there is change
in her. She has heard 4 step on the
gravcled walk beneath. and. mistress
as she is of herself. she cannot quite
suppress the dutter Of expectation
which that sound proyokes. She
moves and others moves with her, SO
that there is quite stir on the piazza
as two figures emerge from tie sha'
dows beneath and pause, one in. many
grace and the other in feminine beauty
for Il mutual smile or glance, before
mounting the broad flights Of steps.
Two! and sue has perhaps, anticipated
but one!
The man is Mr.. Degraw and the
woman Signorina Ealdi, or, as she Is
now called. Miss Rogers. He has be-
come frequent guest ut the house
and she recognized inmate, but never
before have they been observed to-
gether. The sight calls up strange
looks on the faces of their youthful
companion, and more than one furtlve
glance is cast at their silent hostess.
But her self-posscSsion Is great, and
there is no lack in the cordiality with
which she welcomes the appearance
of these two. But when.the first furry
over they all settle down to renewed
CONVEX sation in the now brilliantly
lighted parlor, those who love her best
feel that something has gone out or
her manner that made it the sweetest
and most encouraging in the world,
and one at least of the three men who
adore her intercepts more than one OF
her glances that steal, despite the
pride Of the heiress and woman, 20
the huge window scat where sits the
artist beside the singer, so happy ana
proud that he forgets to hide either
his satisfaction or his delight.
As for the signorina she was in that
soft mood of unexpected happiness
which makes a woman beautiful,
whatever her features. She to whom
nature had given the perfection OF
grace was so much the more captivat-
inc. From the crown of her lovely
head, dropping with the weight OF un'
told hopes, to the tip of her dainty
foot, she was the incarnation OF JOY
shadowed only by the wonder when
such joy often brings. Though she
did not speak, much less sing, her
whole figure breathed forth music, and
one person present heard it, and heard
it rs plainly as if she had walked at
her side a half hour before and list
ened, as spirits listen. to the vows
which the ardent artist had whispered
into the beloved ones half averted
ears. Love, pure and perfect, had
breathed across this virgin soul. and
deeper love than hers had noted it and
taken q lesson therefrom-the lesson
of pain and patience, generous SYM
pathy and womanly sacrifice.
The more disinterested persons In
the room had collected about the
piano. where one of their number was.
playing thrilling airs lfoin oouaou.
AS the melody filed the air more than
one tongue was loosed of the secret
that burdened it.
"Do you observe the couple over
there?" one of Miss Aspinwal's lovers
not the most. generous-whispered in
her ear. "Boy Cupid has been busy
With ono or both of their Hearts since
We saw them last I think can dis
cover the tip of his wings futterins in
and about between them now. What
do you think?'
Some questions are very hard to an.
swer; this was meant to be one of
them. But Miss Asninwall had the
courage of despair and did not shrink
from utteriug q smiling response.