The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-12
w vas on,v ton clad to be of any

~ was only too glad to be of any
service to her, l told her, and then fer
about a minute we sat in silence. which
was only disturbed by the terrible
cough that .,early broke my heart to
listen to.
Its a mad wish I had. and I
don't think l can tell Sou now you
have come" she said.
Il wondered what she had wanted
me for. but thought would wait and
see if she would tell me of her own
accord.
The doctor says I am dying and
I shan't live the week out: so, after
all, there isn't much harm in me tell
ing you
Again that terrible cough made me
long to take her in my arms and CON-
fort her. but something in the SOL
empity Of our meeting and in the eyes
that were raised to mine dispelled all
such longings, and could only sit and
pity her.
presently little hand was placed
over mine and the touch of it thrilled
me- as no amount Of admiration had
ever done before.
ltd only be for two days, after
all. and it wouldn't hurt no one, all
said and done. and it would make me
the happiest girl on Gods earth
II was at loss to grasp her meaning,
but the expression on her face wouldn't
allow me to take the matter lightly.
II will do anything for you. Tell me
what YOU want-tell me. little one. for
l cannot Dea- to see you look at me
like that.
"She had not released my hand and
now she pressed it tenderly. Perhaps
we made strengthening picture, but
there was no thought in either of our
minds of anything like sordid realities.
You cont mind if I love you, do
you? she asked, while her great eyes
sought their answer in mine. and as
she spoke she had half risen in her
bed, and I could see the quick rise and
fall of her breast as che sat waiting
for my answer.
What could say to her when my
heart was brimming over with a med
lev of emotions such as 1 had never
known before? I think I was mad for
the time. and would have done any
thing for her-and 1 did, for, half an
hour afterward I was walking home
with the knowledge that I had prom
ised to marry my fower-girl."
THE mischief you had" said Cor
don, as Jack finished speaking.
"Yes," continued Jack, "and the next
day we were married"
"Ohw murmured several voices, and
then there was silence awaiting Hol'
den's next disclosure, which, however,
did not seem forthcoming.
II hope you gave her a decent
funeral" said the friend in the arm.
chair. .,
"She didn't die" murmured Jack.
ooh! 1 say, old man, you didn't lei
yourself in for anything, did you, fol
the sake of a pair of big eyes?"
There was blending of sympathy
and surprise in Gordon's voice as be
spoke. #
What have you done with her"
II sent her to school. We both de.
termined to make the best of it. She
has been away four years, and is on
her journey home at this very mo-
ment"
Just then there was q light knock
the door and the next minute a vision
of rare beauty ran toward Jack and
his friends.
II wouldn't be announced" said the
vision in a voice which vibrated with
exquisite tones. Il thought I would
take you by surprise"
Then as she saw the men upon whom
she had intruded she turned and would
have fed.
"Delilah, come here?
Jack had risen as he spoke and
held out his hand to the vision in
blue.-New York News.