The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-12-16

bestowed by his fraudulent rival! 1t
was Q thought too bitter to be cher
ished. Whatever sacrifice he might
hereafter be called upon to make, he
could not and would not stand on one
side at this critical moment.
Making his way rapidly to the front
steps he mounted them and passed
bowling and smiling through the crowd.
Taking up his stand in the hall beside
O table well covered with books and
pamphlets he waited for her coming
down the broad, oaken stair. Would
her step patter' trippingly from step TO
step, or would it drag lingeringly down
as if weighted with hopes or hamp-
cred with fears? He had an imme-
diate opportunity to judge, for almost
before be had settled himself into the
shadow he coveted he heard the expec-
tant sound, and it was as lingering as
he could wish and as soft as was the
rustic of the silken garments that ac-
companied it.
Summoning up. all his courage he
passed round to the foot Of the stair
and met her just as she was setting
her foot on the last step.
"Signorina, forgive me-" he began,
and then grew dumb, for her breast
was ornamented with the hateful bios
SONS Of his rival.
"You have not read my note"
He looked up at her face; her eyes
expressed terror; she glanced over his
head at the front door and back into
the recesses above her.
"Have you read it?" she persisted.
Eyes, and 1 will obey If you assure
me that your dismissal is final; that
you take these means to rid yourself
Of suitor whose importantly is un-
welcome. But-O, don't caress those
fowersw he exclaimed breaking into
his own words as he saw her fingers
spread lovingly over the blossoms fast
ened in her bosom. Even if their Civ
er were the man he seems it would be
an intolerable sight to me. AS it is"
"Sir, did not you send me these flow-
ers"
mo"
She turned, pale, then red and raised
her hand as. If to tear the blossoms
away.
II thought you did," said she.
The words, the tone raised him into
the seventh heaven Of delight. Had
be not been conscious that more than
one pair of eyes were resting upon
them he would certainly have caught
her by the hand and uttered thous-
and passionate protestations. But the
hour was not propitious for love max
ing. Besides she looked restless and
painted with impatience.
"Mr. Degraw's man brought them
here. should have thought the do
nor's name would have appeared upon
them"
1T was, but only thought of you.
They were lying on the window seat,
you see. Oh, Mr.. Degraw, will you not
leave me? Indeed, I am in earnest
when I beg you to do so. Though it
seems cheerful and innocent as para
disc before the fall there is death in
the air, and you will be the object of
itw
"Signorina, were that death as near
me now as you are I would not move.
That you remain is enough for me.
How could you think I would 90 after
I learned that the shadow of danger
rested over these walls?
"But I am not nenaced; oh, why
will you not believe me! See! I en-
treat" eassAvTl'
She put heE two hands together, then
stopped to wiring them, for his look
was immovable.
"Do not call the attention Of the
Others" he demonstrated. "We do
not wish to frighten them or even to
enlighten them as to the importance
of the matter we are discussing"
Then as he saw her hands drop de-
spairingly at her side, he added: But
you alarm yourself unnecessarily If it
is my safety you regard I cannot
think that I am in any real danger,
nor can think that you regard me as
being so."
Her eyes flashed wildly and with an
incomprehensible expression to his
face.
"Why do you say that? she de-
manded.
Because you send me away. Be-
cause you encourage cowardice in a
man who has not. to my knowledge,
betrayed any great evidences Of pusil-
lanimity. If you thought this other
Degraw as great a william as your
words imply, you would be asking for
the protection Of the police instead Of
trying to beguile him from his inten-
tions by the frankest and most con-
fding of smiles"
you do not understand" she pant
ed. II am in a net;'I must SO on in
my own way. If you love me you
will trust me- Mr.. Degraw, do, trust
me. 1t will he my salvation and
yours"
"Mysterieusr' he calculated.
She seemed to lose heart.
And you will not go?" she entreat-
ed, her breast heaving. her eyes wan
dering, her form swaying to and fro.
He felt like crying yes" just to
calm her, but he thought her anxiety
exaggerated, her emotion one that he
ought to restrain.
You are moved" said he, "by what
Mr.. Degraw's man has told you.'
She shrank back. A look of incon-
ceivable terror appeared in her eyes,
"Mr. DegraW's rnan2n she reneated