The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-26

y Anna Katharine Author ian IF |hs ETC., Se'''1'n
eo,yaear 1890. RODENT soHnrR's SONS.

wooden pillars in front. Though tnelr
general appearance suggested past
| wealth, it also as certainly betokened
present indigence, Notwithstanding the
| fact that before one Of them there
stood at this moment a carriage Of
style. and elegance sufficient to prove
it the private equlpage OF a person OF
| means.
Being in an artistic mood he was
greatly attracted by these old-fash-
ioned structures and felt quite an un-
reasoning desire to enter them.
Long before he came near enough to
be sure of the numbers they bore he
had begun to reckon onward from the
one he was passing to see whether 391
would be found on any Of them. He
soon came to the 'conclusion that it
would, and presently was quite sure
Of it, and, as he approached nearer he
was pleased to See that it was upon the
house before which the carriage was
standing. Why he was pleased at this
he would have found it hard to tell.
Perhaps because the house looked a lit
tie sombre and oppressive as he came
within full sight Of its closely shut
tered windows, and to one Of his gay
and careless temperament any hint Of
companionship was always welcome.
There was a bell at the entrance, but
he did not ring 1t. For just as he
stretched out his hand toward it the
door opened, and he saw before him a
young servant girl of somewhat va
cant countenance, who quickly beck
oned him in. AS his foot crossed the
threshold the clock from neighboring
church pealed out the stroke Of 8. Il
am prompt" he inwardly calculated.
The hall into which he stepped was
dark and seemingly unfurnished. There
was no carpet on the floor, and if there
were any doors in sight they were all
closed. Feeling it somewhat chilly
welcome he looked helplessly at the
girl, who Immediately made another
gesture in the direction Of staircase
that rose in. a spiral a few feet beyond
him.
"Does Signor Montelli live up stairs"
he inquired.
She gave no indication Of hearing
him, but continued to point to the
staircase us she deafT was his men,
tai inquiry. 1t would seem so. Some
what dashed in his spirits he went up
the first fight and paused again. Dark.
ness and solitude were before him.
"Well, WELL" thought he, "this will
not DO" And he was about to turn
about in retreat when he remembered
the bank-bil in his pocket. THAT was
not sent to me for nothing" he con-
cluded, and, taking q closer look into
silent space before him he perceived
four doors.
Making his way to one he knocked.
There was.a a hurried sound from with
in, and presently the door was opened
and the face Of an old crone looked
out. Her features lighted up as she
saw him, but she did not speak. Point
ing as the girl had done she indicated
the room he should enter, and then
withdrew her face and shut the door.
"This is an adventure" was his men,
tai comment, but he had no further
notion of retreat,
Following the guidance Of her finger
he crossed the hall and pushed open
the door toward which she had point
ed. An ordinary room of faded aspect
met his eyes.
But barely had he entered it when he
was met by the old crone and led rath-
cr than escorted through another door
into an apartment so brilliantly light
cd that for moment he found him
self dazzled and unable to perceive
more than the graceful figure Of ar
elegant woman dressed in the riches;
Of carriage attire, bending over wh%!
seemed to be heavily draped couch.
But in another instant his faculties
became clear, and he perceived that
what he supposed to be couch was
in reality bed Of death, and that
the woman before him was engaged in
strewing blossoms of the richest beau
ty and most delicate fragrance over
the body Of a young girl whose face
as yet he could not see. Some llacs
lay on the floor, half on, half of the
edge Of a snowy drapery Of soft wool
which fell from the couch. taking
from it the character Of q bed, and
lending to the whole scene an aspect
Of poetic beauty which was in no wise
diminished by the rows Of wax can
dies that burned at the head and the
| feet Of the dead.
1t was picture, and for q moment
lie looked on it as such, but in another
the lady, whose occupation he had in
teTupted, turned. and. seeing him,
stood upright, meeting his gaze with as
| tonishment and half-veiled delight in
| her fine violet eyes, then, as he did not
speak and hardly remembered to bow
she colored slightly. and with q
strange, swift movement that took him
wholly by surprise. glided from the
| room.
Then, indeed, he started and tried to
follow her. But it was too late. Ere
lie had reached the threshold he heard
the front door shut. and in an instant
after the carriage drive away. Strange
adventure! For though he did not
know her name he knew her face, had
seen it once in a large crowd. and
charmed by it's perfect lineaments had