The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-04-13
ten minutes since he left here with IL

never forgot it-then she staggered
out Of the house, and wandered dizzily
away to Hilary's house. All! if the
ground would only open in mercy and
take her in! She was not worthy Of
! cumbering it longer. And her steps
grew very languid and her heart very
faint as she drew up at Hilary's steps,
and with difficulty mounted to the
! door.
"Oh. if I could fall asleep" she
thought, land know no more for
Weeksw
But she had to ring the bell, she had
to enter the door, she had to confront
Hilary, and, in another moment, her
waiting lover.
He was standing in little reception
room off the parlor, and she felt bis
presence before Hilary spoke bis name.
But she did not have to nerve herself
to meet him, for he was at her side be.
fore she could shake herself free from
the torpor that was gradually benumb.
ing all her faculties.
You see have come back" be cried.
"My mother sends her blessing, and
waits to welcome you to her heart. is
that not good news, dearest. and was
| it not worth the waiting, 10 feel that
you have made two hearts happy, hers
and mine"
She nodded mechanically. She was
not deceived by his words. Had he
| read all the letter or only part? She
dared not lift up her eyes to see.
He OWNED her trouble, and sought at
once to allay it.
Jenny" said he, "tbere Is q little
matter on my mind which it may be
for our happiness to clear away before
we turn our attention to the arrange
ments for our wedding. 1t is about
| letter."
What ietter?' she family articu.
lated.
"One written by you-at least it is
signed Jenny and is addressed to
Hamilton Degraw.' 1t was found ~
ing, unsealed, in the street, and was
picked up by gentleman who knew
nv name, and evidently my face, for
he picked me out in crowd to-day.
and told me of the occurrence. have
not read it"
You have not read it?'
She had forgotten herself. and there
was no mistaking her tone of absolute
and overwhelming relief. He dropped
his arms from about her, and Il strange
look Of doubt began, for the first time,
to infuse itself into his expression.
"No," he declared, "for I was by no
means sure that it was meant for me.
Was it. Jenny"
NO" was her well-nigh inaudibie
answer.
Then, take it, dearest. but" he
did not say this till it was in her hand
II should like-I should be happier
if you would give ME the privilege OF
reading it. I do not know why l de.
sire to; perhaps I am getting whims-
ical. too, but ever since it has been in
my hands 1 have felt restless and un.
easy. You had the right 10 address
Mr.. Degraw, and 1 knew, of course,
that you had done so; hut-call it
jealousy OF call it love-I long to hear
yon say: Read it, Hamilton, and see
how true my heart was to you, if false
to him."
ou-shall-read-it." The words
came slowly, each freighted with
vanished hope. She knew, whether by
intuition or instinct. that suspicion had
at last been aroused in his heart, and
by her own act. You shall see 1t,
she repeated, more rapidly; but not
till 1 am dressed for the ceremony.
Will you wait till then?'
There was such depth of entreaty
in her voice, such an unearthly gleam
in her eye, that he sought for what
ever word would calm her.
YES" said he, Il will wait till you
see fit to show it TO me. do not ask
to see it now or ever; l only hope that
you will be willing that I should. A
wife is so sacred to her husband! He
wants to feel that she holds no secrets
from him-that all is clear between her
soul and his. Do you understand, my
darling?"
All, yes, she understood. She showed
it by the wistful CLEAN of her eye
the passion of her embrace.
To be continued.