The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-04-08
XIV.
Continued.

Tie SlStp1uS Slll, aiIU q ioASN
was slowly taking possession Of him.
If Battiste was condemned, whom he
knew to be innocent, what would be
the duty of this girl? Should he be
called upon to place in her hancZ
the instrument Of a power of the
origin of which he knew nothing
Was that power of heaven or hades?
He knew not. A terrible confic.
ragged within him. What should he
do? There was a fierce temptation
to destroy the fatal little talisman
that she had placed in his hands;
but was he justified in doing so? He
had an indescribable horror of allow
ing her to exercise this power, but
for this scruple must IN innocent
man die?
He looked down on her, on this
soft, lovely maiden, and 4 mad long
ing came over him to seize her in his
arms and flee with her from this
dark, ill-omened place, to place her
in safety, and shelter her in his loy-
ing arms from the evil of the world,
and the terror of the gift she had
inherited with her blood.
He walked up and down the room
almost needless as to A~ntoinette's
sleep. Time passed on. The sunset
died away, and the quick gray twi-
light covered the world and filled the
room. He could no longer see An
toinette's face; only the still outline
of her figure softly breathing. Then
he heard sounds outside, the echo of
many feet, and the old clock in the
nan trembled out it's faint strokes.
1t was eight o'clock; they had
come to carry away all that was left
on earth of Antoinette's father.
NO one disturbed them. Doubtless
the kind-hearted women told the
Mayor that the young orphan was
still asleep, and that her fiance was
watching her, and he would let no
one intrude. He had a sympathetic
nature. He felt that if the noise of
their movements should awaken the
sleeping girl, that nothing would SO
soften the anguish of that awakening
as the presence of her lover; and
with quiet, silent order the sad little
ceremony went on. The curious
crowd, which had gathered to cape
and stare, by the quiet authority of
the Mayor and the Cure resolved it
self into a procession. AS they
moved away, bearing their burden in
the midst of them. the Cure began to
chant the DE Profundis." Arthur
heard the words as the chanting died
away in the distance, and he also re-
peated them.
Presently Nanon came in with a
light. The poor old woman was hard
ly recognizable, her face was so dis
figured by crying. She looked so
old and worn, her white Golf was all
awry, and her grey hairs escaping
under it.
"Ah! my poor Monsieur" she said.
"She still sleeps, my lamb, my
precious one; but she will awaken
soon. Alas! if n could sleep away
the griefs of earth, one would not
ask for Heaven. But l came to tell
you that Monsieur Tasset left a mes
sage for you. He said he would come
back to see you, and Monsieur le
Cure, both. They said they could
not go away happy tonight before
they heard how u poor demoiselle
woke up, and how she was. So you
see, Monsieur, l got Catherine to do
a little cooking for me, and there will
be something to eat, for one must
eat, even though it may be the last
day itself. All! my sweet, my pretty
one," looking down on Antoinette,
"the longer thou sleepest the bet
ter"
The poor old woman fingered
about, evidently longing, not daring,
to ask something. At last she got it
out.
If l might ask, Monsieur, if Bat
tiste will be home tonight? He does
not eat much, as you know, still a
chestnut soup is always comforting
after a troubled day. But if he will
come tonight"
Not tonight, Nanon,' said Ar
thur, with a feeling of choking in his
throat. The business is not over
yet
DO they still say he did it," she
asked, twisting her apron round her
hands.
Some do; but, Nanon,' and he
stepped forward and took her sands,
"all that mar Can do l promise you I
will do to V your husband"
God will reward YOU" she said.
"Well, we'll, it is the first time he
has Ver been away from me since
We We're married; but what an old
fool l am to care so much for only
n night. must 60 and see about
the supper" and she went away NUT
tering her words, "Oui dame; one
must eat though the last day be at
hand"
The time passed away. Presently
a little knock at the door announced
the return of the guests. Arthur
rose and went to them. They sat in
q sort of ante-chamber communicate
ing with the room in which Antoin-
cite lay. Old Nanon had prepared
food there, and they all sat down and
ate. Arthur left the door between
the two apartments a little ajar, that
he might hear the sound of moving
if she was to awaken. Not 70 dis
turb her rest they moved quietly and
spoke in low voices.
The Cure sat opposite to Arthur.
He had a gentle, pleasant face, with