The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-12-14

replace it. saying he would prefer not
to take it that evening.
He then told them about the time the
money was lost he received Il lettes
from his sister. who resided in Ameri-
ca. imploring him to come to her imme-
diately. Her husband had been
thrown from his horse and killed. and
between her deep grief and terrible
shock she had sustained she was utter
ly Frustrated.
He found the poor. broken-hcaTted
widow seriously i'll and though she
seemed to rally for a short time. yet
she gradually sank and died. leaving
her only child. a little girl about five
years Of age. to his care.
"And now. Mrs. Huntley." he con-
tinued, Il will venture to make a pro-
posal. Will you take the poor little
walf as an inmate of your pleasant
home, and allow this money. so for
tunately lost and found. to be my pay
ment for q few months in advance?
Then a discussion arose respecting
the payment, Mrs. Huntley considering
a smaller sum than he proposed an
equivalent, but finally he gained his
point.
1t was decided that Mrs. Huntley
and Lillian should call the next morn-
ing and make little Nell's acquaintance
How do you like our new friend.
Lily?" asked her brother. who had re
turned from plotting their visitor 10
the bus, en- route to his hotel.
VERY much. indeed. Jack. And dur.
ing your absence. mamma has sug-
gested that 1 give up my out door pu'
pills and become the child's governesS.'
Later in the summer Alan Graham.
VINO had been travelling on the Cont.
nent. returned. He had heard from
Lillian that little Nell had suffered
slightly from the extreme heat; so. be.
fore coming even to see her, be made q
trip to D~overcourt, and there arranged
for Mrs. Huntley. her. daughter, and
their little charge to remain until cool
weather set in.
And when they met it was almost
like old friends, for he and Lillian had
constantly corresponded upon Nelrs
account, the child always enclosing a
little letter Of her OWL.
At the close of their weeks sojourn.
Mr.. Graham made his second trip,
bringing with him Jack, who perhaps.
was for the time the happiest mortal
in all that seaside resort.
Jack had to return to Monday morn
ing's business. but Graham fingered a
few days longer. Then these weekly
visits came to be a matter Of course.
"And you think I have fulfilled poor
Elinor's desires. Lilian?' asked Alan
Graham, one evening, during a sea.
beach ramble.
Indeed I do, Mr.. Graham. and con-
slider you to have been one of the kind
est and most devoted of brothers"
"And yet there was another request
my sister made; I will repeat it in her
own words, Allan, you are now twen-
~ty-seven; why do you not change your
lonely, single life for one more home
like? Think you. is there no dear.
loving girl whose sweet presence
would add to youc happiness? To
Nell we shall remain only a tender
memory; but to you she will look up.
with a child's love and duty. as to a
father. Will you not give her a moth
er. also" I was constrained to prom
Use, though at that time there was no
one whom 1 loved, or, perhaps. who
cared for me; but now I have found
her! Lily-dear Lily! will you help me
10 fulfill my sisters last wishes? I
think you care for me-a little"
Not only a little. Alan, but very.
very greatly"-New York News.