The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-11-29
CHAPTER vi.
Continued

Continued.
mo, auntic. 7 only wish you would
not look so pale and nervous, and tnat
you would say just one cheerful word
to me. / have told you how gener-
ously Clifford has determined to put
I'D with my want of birth; and yet
still you speak as though my visit to
Mr.. ClithcrO was TO be 4 thing of life
and death. If I am determined V
to be ashamed of my own dead par
ents, and if Clifford is determined that
I shall be his wife, however lowly my
birth. | cannot see shat there is any
thing for you to look so utterly mlSer-
able about
Keep to these words, Jane! Never
be ashamed OF your own dead parents!
If all the rest Of the wOrld-Gifford
Mohun himself-turns from you on
their account, remember what you
nave said. You will never be ashamed
of themr"
Clifford Mohun will never turn away
from me-
She rose from the low stool where
she was sitting at Miss Lynch's side,
took a tiny packet from her breast;
then went and examined it, long and
curiously, by the lamp on the centre
table.
Come here, auntie. / have some
thing to show yOu-something very sa-
cred and precious, that Clifford gave
me to-day"
AS she stood, with haif-turned neck
the lamplight shining full on all the
lovely curves Of throat and chin-her
eyes in shadow and ~downcast-one deli
cate bare arm uplifted to the light
as she stood thus she would have been
a fitting subject, without need of ideal
ization, without change of attitude or
of detail, for one Of Greuze's most
delicious pictures. Even Miss Lynch's
familiar yes saw q beauty il her
never seen before until this moment
THE; pathetic beauty Of thought and
passion first deepening, with a shade
of womanhood, that most passionless
and child-like face.
HE has wished to give me jewels,
auniie, and I would have none of them.
Jewels are not wanted for me as long
rs I am Jane Grand. But last night,
when he rode to Houghton. he bought
oh, auntie! I scarce like even to tell
it you-he bought my wedding ring,
and he gave it me this evening""
"Janer!'
To have heard that Mohun had that
evening broken off the engagement
would hardly have Occasioned Miss
Lynch a greater shock. The indelicacy
of any young woman's holding posses
sion Of her own wedding ring before
marriage would. at any time, and for
another person, have been her primary
idea; but now-on the eve of the most
important day of James life-a day
when the girls whole future prospects
should hang suspended by so fearIuny
fail a thread-all she thought of was
the presage of evil which, according
to her creed. such a gift betokened.
You should have given it back to
him, child.-you should scarce have
looked at it! Your wedding %ring-and
four marriage day not fiXed-your mar
;iage dress not made! Mr.. Mohun
must be mad. I never knew such a
thing done but once, and that was by
Two poor, foolish young creatures like
Tou and Clifford, and"
"Well. and what came Of the ILL.,
omened act?" interrupted Jane, laugh
ing.
Miss Lynch paused.
MISERY and death, and worse than
death. came of it. child! The bride
groom went out of his mind the night
before the wedding should have been,
and the bride wore the ring, not on her
hand, but on her heart, until the day
she died"
"As I should do with this if anything
broke off my engagement to Clifford"
said Jane, in her calm, steady voice.
NJ am not afraid of omens, auntie. God
will not have Clifford less in His charge
because I have this little bit Of gold
in mine.w