The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-04-06

fortune"
1T is not enough"
"Why: Wby?"
The world is bitter. exacting. ever
ready 10 attribute wrong motives TO a
Nall. If l receive back this money-a
great amount, you must constantly rec
eject society will naturally decide
against my honesty and the purity OF
my intentions. 1t will say that made
the gift 20 you upon the condition that
you married me, and that my taking 1t
back is in consequence of your failure
to keep our engagement. For that en-
GacemeDt, short as it was, is known.
If honor is dear to woman, 1T is
equally dear to man. My future hap
piness and high standing are trembling
in the balance. and the moment is as
serious for me as for you
Bat I will write another letter. l
will say that I entreat your re-accept-
arce Of this gift. which l find entails
100 many, duties upon ne for NY peace
Of mind. And this you can SLOW the
world. and when am married people
will understand. Though l have
wrongeG you, Inundated you. and
taken from you some of the confidence
ycu had in my sex, do not visit my
faults upon me by revenge so deep as
the retaining Of this letter. Indeed, in
deed, it is not necessary. No one Will
question your honor when they see
with what reverence regard you
She was going to say more, but some
thing in his manner stopped her. Tears
the first she had shed-rose to her
eyes, and she turned slowly away, as il
profoundly humiliated.
"Ah. you think I am not worthy
even to do you reverence" she MUIR
INJURED.
The piteous action and the still more
piteous words, coming from one so
dainty and exquisitely beautiful
touched him as nothing else in all this
painful interview had done. Coming
close to her side he took her languld
hand and calmly, for his passion had
all left him, said with affectionate fer
vCr:
God forbid that should visit any
revenge upon a head that humbles it.
self so low. That loved you is true;
that have suffered in my faith and in
my pride is also true, but would not
thereby raise myself above you, since,
if you have snned, I am not also with
out my faults, as your present attitude
shows. Miss Rogers, will give YOU
back your letter, but let me say before
doing so that you will never lie blessed
in your marriage with Mr.. Degraw, OF
even see an hour Of perfect felicity in
his presence unless you allow him to
know its contents before you so to the
altar"
"No. No.' her looks seemed to cry,
but she said nothing with her lips, un-
less the humble aud heartfelt kiss she
pressed upon his hand might be saiG
to speak.
"And now" he suggested. write me
the letter you proposed. l will take II
and Immediately return with the other.
Afterward my lawyer will visit you.
and all shall be completed legally and
with as much celebrity as tie matter
will permit"
"An. she exclaimed, with what life
you infuse me. And cannot even eX-
press my gratitude or the thoughts that
fill my mind" And she bounded to
desk-the desk Mt which size had writ
ten her first letter, and which was in
second parlor at the back-and rapidly,
as if moved by 4 governing hand, in
dited her second epistle.
When Jenny returned with her letter
and bade him read it he did so dispas-
sionately and with evident approval.
This will answer very we'll. will
now return to my hotel for the other"
lie declared, and left her with low
bow, in which she felt certain respect
expressed that was like balm 10 her
crushed and bleeding heart.
An hour passed before lie returned.
Jenny stood in the parior ready TO re-
ceive him.
What is it," she cried, for she saw
at a glance that he was greatly dis
tressel.
The letter is gone! 1t has been sto-
len! I cannot find it among the docU-
mcnts you returned to me! You have
an enemy somewhere, and that enemy
has your honor in his hand"