The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-12-02
CHAPTER Xxx.
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the signorinas note before he could
come to any definite conclusion in re-
gard to it. Trust her! Were those
words the plea of coquette or the de-
spairing cry Of threatened and per-
picked woman? In her face and in
her manner he had beheld evidences OF
a struggle between love and some op-
posing passion he could not even
fathom sufficiently to name. But was
the conflict a worthy one, and should
he uphold her in it by an indulgence
which might speak more Of weakness
than Of true manly sympathy? He
could not decide, for his own pride
was engaged in the decision, and
mans prides dies hard even in the
cause of his own affections.
But as the night approached the
sweet appeal grew in force till it over
whelmed his doubts and renewed MS
confidence. Trust her! Yes, he could
trust her, but could he trust himself?
From the experience Of the morning
he knew that it would be absolutely
perilous to his self-control to subject
himself to further sight of his rivals
triumph. Though it was misery to sit
still in his improvised studio while this
other man enjoyed free access to her
side be felt it to be wisdom to thus sac
rifce his feelings till the letter from
Cleveland came to settle the position
Of this interloper and give to himself
that advantage in her eyes which truth
and honor must ever possess over de-
ception and revealed fraud.
He, therefore, replied to her note by
saying he would trust her so far as to
leave her to her new friend till he
could substantiate the doubts which
he had so freely expressed against him,
and supplemented this communication
by a line to Miss Aspinwal, in which
he expressed thanks for her kindness
and entreated consideration for the
feelings which induced him to remain
for a few days from her house, or IN
til she received such word from Mr..
Morris as would make it agreeable for
him to return there.
This last clause betrayed the full
motive for his conduct, as he had
meant it should. The result was
speedy response from his generous
hostess.
Dear Mr.. Degraw - You may be
doing wisely and you may not. OF
that you must be your own judge. Mr..
Degraw, of Cleveland, will not stay
away because you do, and much mis-
chief can be done in three days. How
ever, you have one firm friend here,
who will not allow matters to proceed
too far without warning you. May
be allowed to express the hope, then,
that shall not be compelled to ad-
dress you till I can inclose Mr.. Nor
ris' letter? Yours sincerely,
HILARY ASPINWALL."
This letter, with its direct promise,
put new life into him. He felt that
with this good friend on the watch he
could rest in peace for a day, at least,
and rose the next morning full Of hope
only to find his spirits Immediately
dashed by the following unexpected
epistle:
"AIr. Degraw and Miss Rogers held
a long conversation last evening seated
upon the window seat which We all
feel is dedicated to you. Though there
was nothing in their manner which
was open to the criticism Of the most
exacting person present, half Of the
men and all OF the ladies who saw
them felt chagrined at this testimony
Of a growing intimacy on the part Of
two persons who, if half you say is
true, should never have had so much
as distant acquaintanceship.
ut is, perhaps, only fair to add that
Mr.. Degraw has none Of the look of
charlatan, and parted from Miss Rog-
ers last evening with a gesture Of as
much respect as if he had been taking
leave of a queen. H. A."
$50 much the worse" thought our
artist. Manner can impose upon any
woman. My darling is certainly in
danger" And he had another strug-
gle with his pride. 1t was cut short
by the appearance Of Miss Aspinwall's
own maid with another note. Its con-
tents varied from the last.
"There is an especially fine view to
be found on the road to Stockbridge,
just at the top Of the long hill. Some
Of our guests propose a ride and pic
mic there to-day. 1t might not be un-
wise for you to be found already upon
the ground. sketching. Il. A."
To be continued.