The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-06-08

twice, and then "Sauve toll" in a
fainter voice. yet clear. And after
shat only q racket of shouts and out
cries reach'd Us. Without doubt the
villains had overpower'd ard slain
this brave servant. In spite of our
peril (for they would be after US at
ouce). twas all We could do to drag
the old man from the gate and up the
road; and as he went he wcpt like q
child.
We found q hiding place in the
woods where we remained all night,
but the great excrtion and the ex-
posture to the cold was too much for
the old gentleman. When morning
broke ST. Deakin had breathed his
last.
1 delved his grave in the frosty
earth. close by the spot where he lay.
Somehow, l shiver'd all the while,
and had a cruel shooting pain in my
wound that was like to have mastered
me before the task was ended. But
l managed to lower the body softly
into the hole and to cover it rever-
emily from sight; and afterward stood
leaning on my spade and feeling very
light in the head, while the girl knelt
and pray'd for her fathers soul.
And the picture Of her as she knelt
is the last l remember till I open'd
nv eyes,, and was amazed to find my
self on my back, and staring up at
darkness.
what has happen'd"
II think you are very ILL.," said a
voice; "can you lean on me, and reach
the hut yonder"
"Why, yes; that is, I think so. Why
is everything dark?"
The sun has been down for hours.
You have been in a swoon first, and
then talk'd-oh, such nonsense! Shame
on me, to let you catch this chill"
She help'd me to my feet and stead
led me; and how we reach'd the hut
I cannot tell you. 1t took more than
one weary hour, as I now know; but
at the time hours and minutes were
one to me.
In that hut I lay four nights m
four days, between ague fit and fever.
And that is all the account l can give
of the time, save that, on the second
day, the girl left me alone in the hut
and descended to the plain, where,
after asking at many cottages for a
physician, she was forced to be con-
tent with an old woman reputed to
be amazingly we'll skilpd in herbs
and medicines; whom, after a days
trial, she turned out of doors. On the
fourth day, fearing for my life, b
made another descent, and, coming to
a wayside tavern, purchas'd q pint of
aqua vitae, carried it back and mix'd
q potion that threw me into a profuse
sweat. The same evening I sat up, a
| sound man.
Indeed, so thoroughly was 1 re-
cover'd that, waking early next morn
ing and finding my sweet purse asleep
from sheer WEAKNESS in a corner OF
the hut, l staggered up from my bed
of dried bracken and out into the pure
air. Rare it was to stand and drink
it in like wine. A footstep arous'd
me. Twas Mistress Della; and, turn
ing, I held out my hand.
Now this is famous" said she; "a
day or two will see you as good a man
as ever"
"A day or two? Tomorrow, at
least. / shall make trial to start" l
noted q sudden change on her face,
and added: Indeed you must hear my
reasons before setting me down for an
iugrate," and told her Of re Kings
letter that l carried. 81 hoped that
for a while our ways might lie to.
gether," said I; and broke off. for she
was looking me earnestly in the face.
"Sir, as you know, my brother An
thony was to have met me-nay, for
PHYS sake, turn not your face away;
I have guess'd-the sword you carry
mark'd it. Sir, be mcrciful, and tell
me"
I led her q little aside to the foot
of a tall pine; and there, tho it wrunS
my heart, told her all; and left her to
wrestle with this final sorrow. She
was so tender a thing to be stricken
thus that l who had dealt the blow
crept back to the hut, covering my
eyes. In an hours time l looh'd out
She was gone.
At nightfall she return'd, white with
grief and fatigue; yet was glad to
see her eyes red and swoln with weep
ing. Throughout our supper she kept
silence; but when twas over look'd
up ard spoke in q steady tone.
Sir, l have a favor to ask, and must
risk being held importunate-"
From you to me-" 1 put in, "all
talk of favors had best be dropp'd."
"No-listen. If ever it befell you to
lose father or mother OF dearly loved
friend, you will know how the an
guish stuns-Oh, sir! to-day the sun
seemed fallen out Of heaven, and l q
blind creature left cropping in the void.
Indeed, sir, tits no wonder; l had q
father, brother and servant ready to
die for me-three hearts to love and
lean on; and to-day they are gone"
l would have spoken, but she held
up q hand.
Now, when you spoke of Anthony
"a dear lad!--I lay for ONE time
dazed with grief. By little and little,
rs the truth grew palmer, the pain
grew also past bearing. / stood up
and staggered into the woods to es-
cape it. l went fast ard straight,
needing nothing. for at first my senses
were all confused: but in 4 while the