The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-04-13
CHAPTER XLI!I.
FATE TRIUMPHANT.

1t had been decided during the hour
Mr. Degraw had spent with these la
dies that if he found his mother well
and submissive to his wishes, that the
marriage should take place Immediate
~ upon Lis return. AS he expected to
be back by Thursday noon, this would
leave them little over two days IN
which to prepare the minds Of their
friends for the event, and to make
such arrangements for the quiet cere-
mony they contemplated, as would pre-
vent undue gossip, and insure comfort
to the dainty and sensitive bride.
But Hilary was power when her
faculties were fully aroused. She did
all, managed all, with consummatc tact
and judgment, and though she could
not hope to save Jenny or the two
Degraws from criticism, she at least
managed to make it perfectly under
stood in their own circle, that it was
the ortist whom Miss Rogers was to
marry, and not his namesake from
Cleveland, to whom she had been re-
ported to be engaged.
Jenny, meanwhile, kept herself Sc
cluGed. There was one task before
her. but that she kept for the last
moment.
At noon on Thursday a telegram
came from her absent lover, telling
her to expect him by three o'clock
Hilary was out, but leaving the tele-
gram with Miss AspinWall's maid, she
dressed herself and went out, leaving
no word behind her. save that she ex-
pccted to be home before three.
She went direct to the building
which contained her lovers studio.
When she opened the door, three let
ters were lying on the floor before her.
Lifting them with trembling hand,
she glanced at their several post-marks.
They We're all city letters. Tearing
them open one after the other, she
looked at their contents. One only
interested her. If you read these words
as she read them, you will see to what
degree:
81 East - Street.
''Mr. Hamilton Degraw.-Sir: This
afternoon, it was my fortune to pick
up, at the corner of Fourth avenue and
Sixteenth street, an unsealed letter ad.
| dressed simply to Mr.. Hamilton De.
| graw. AS it is name well known in
this city, was about to venture upon
taking it at once to your studio. when
4 friend suggested that should write
first and inquire if you had lost such q
letter. 1t is signed Jenny and seems
| to be Of importance. If it is your prop
erty, you can easily regain it by calling
at the above address.
Respectfully yours,
GEORGE VANDECKER.
ITO Mr.. Hamilton Degraw, Artist"
All. what a narrow escape. Thrust
ing the three letters into her pocket
she hurried out, locking the studio
door behind her. Going at once tc
- street, she rang the bell Of 81. and
inquired if Mrs. Vandecker was in
Happily she was, and after few tor
turing minutes Of waiting in the parlor
a good-looking woman entered. anG
quietly greeted her.
II have come" she said, gently. ant
with her first conscious effort at acting
a part she did not feel. "for letter
addressed to Mr. DeSraw which yonl
husband is said to have found. l m
his intended wife, and wrote the let
ter
II am sorry" Mrs. Vandecker began
''but Mr.. Degraw has just called for his
property
Mr.. Degraw"'
My husband went out CT town this
morning. He met AR. Degraw at th>
depot, and told him of this letter, ant
where it could be found. Mr.. DegraW
came for it immediately. and it is DO