The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-03-09


dio. "
But when, in a moment later, a light
figure glided through the doorway, he
saw that she relied upon her beauty
ard not upon her apparel for the i'm
preston she was destined to make.
Though his senses swan at the sight
Of her countenance that was brighter,
more winscme and more exquisitely
beautiful than ever, he could not but
note that no jewels flashed in her ears
and that her dress was of plain cloth,
without color and without adornment.
She had worn more picturesque cloth
ing when she was simply Signorina
Valid.
Yet in a few minutes he forgot all
this. She had but to turn toward him
with a blushing "greeting, for the
room, himself and her own delicate
and graceful figure to be inundated
with radiance. She loved him still;
that was visible in her look, her atti.
tude and her conversation, though she
turned from him almost Immediately
and gave herself up to the entertain
ment of the two ladies who had en-
tered at the same time as himself. She
loved him and she was not yet spoiled
by her new wealth. This was enough
to fill his consciousness for the pres
ent, and lend to his aspect that subtle
charm which was the secret of his
power over the hearts of women.
While the ladies were being bowed
out he stood in a whirl of excited feel
ing that was not unshared, apefhaps,
| by her, and whenrthe front door being
closed, she turned back and began
crossing the floor to his side, it was
with difficulty he checked his wild i'm
pulse to stretch forth his arms and
take her at once and without question
to his heart.
But be had said to himself that he
would not do this, whatever bis tempt
tation might be, and he bravely kept
his word, paGng little, however, as
she reached out her hand with an air
that expressed her recognition Of the
fact that she had not as yet given him
her full greeting.
She on the contrary, was ruddy as a
rose, and seemed.to expect'a display of
warmth which was at yet absent from
his manner For beyond taking her
hand and pressing 1t he said nothing,
though her eyes looked up wistfully
and her form visibly trembled.
You do not say you are glad" said
she.
He drew a deep breath and gently
dropped her hand.
II do not say I am glad" he repeated,
because I am busy schooling myself
into a calmness I cannot feel. am so
glad I cannot trust myself to speak.
To see you again, after these intermin-
able months is heaven to me. But it
is a heaven I;must not enjoy~too deep
ly till"
It'll what?" Her sigh was .eloquentl
she seemed to hang upon his words.
It'll I know how deeply you love
me; how much you are willing to sac
rifce for my sake, and what there is
in the future for me to look forward
to-"
"Ah," she murmured, conditions.
Do you love me so little as that?"
II love you" be declared, almost to
the point Of folly. In these long
months I have thought Of nothing else,
dreamed of nothing else, worked for
nothing else but you. I am dazzled, I
am mad with joy only to see you again.
If Irgayesway to my impulses / would
fall at your feet and kiss the hem of
your dress. But I am held back by
one thought, restrained by zone bar
rier. You are living upon and enjoy
ing the millions given you Dy my ii
val"
But"
II know what you would say, dear
est. He is not my rival now and never
can be while you retain this money.
But he did love you and probably al
ways will love you, and it was through
this love he came to consider you as
the heiress Of Mr.. Delancy's money,
and it is because of this very love you
are now what you are, conspicuous
figure among New York's young and
wealthy women"
But do not love himf and"
"You do love me! Is that what you
would say?"
She smiled pitifully. She seemed
much shaken. by his words and deeply
abashed.
do you love me enough to consider
my pride?" he went on. 1T would
have to be a great, courageous and
boundless love. For I ask nothing
less than that you should sacrifice this
wealth, that you should leave at the
altar rail these millions that have
brought you fame and adulatiOn, and
accept only a painters homage and
such luxuries as his pencil can furnish
you, find in that homage and these lux
Uries such compensation as will make
you forget your brief reign of sum-
mer as Americas leading beauty and
heiress"
Her eyes, burning and dilated, stared
into his.
You ask that?" she cried.
"Yes, and since I know that ! ask
much l pray you not to answer me to-
day by look or word. I would
have you think long and deeply upon
what I say. l would have you weigh
the situation calmly, and then with
grave decision render me the answer
which your heart prompts. Not impul-
sively, not under the glamour Of pas
sionate moment. but with the spell Of
,o,o -o,, I'll n Sh1oay fnrp.