The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-11
CHAPTER II.
Continued.

Antoinette shuddered as she spoke,
and looked up at her companion with
imploring, terrified eyes, like those OF
a child. Heaven knows that it is
not of my seeking" she cried, pas
s%ionately. But look here! l have
something to show YOU" She drew
out Of her breast suddenly a little
silver box, about four inches long
and very slender. Look at this she
said, opening it. Within the case lay
a small, white, peeled wand, forked
at the end. After my mothers
DEATH" she said. "Nanon took this
from her breast, and gave it to me.
She did not know what it was, but
imagined it to be some precious relic,
and she desired me never to part with
1t. For many years l always wore 1t
under the same impression, and SUCH
was my awe of it, for l always i'm
agined that it might be a portion
from the true Cross, that I never,
till about two years ago, took 1t out
of the case. Then a curious thing
OCCuIISu. Oul plOlSoSO1 VI
was giving us a lecture about legends
and myths. His lectures were very
interesting; he illustrated them by
reading the account of the search for
minerals with the divining rod, in
The Antiquary.' Then he spoke of
the shape of the rod and the position
in which experts used to make use of
it, lightly held with both hands"
Arthur saw the same strange look
that he had remarked before coming
over her face. and he hastily inter-
rupted her. Tell me-" he said, Il
suppose you then recognized the
shape Of your relic
She started and became herself
again. Yes, our professor told me
to take the greatest care of it, that it
was most curious and valuable from
an antiquarian point of view. He re-
moved it from its "a to examine it
more closely, and then, for the first
time, l perceived that there was a
slip of paper, on which a few words
were written in my mothers hand
writing, underneath it. You may
read it if you like"
Arthur took the tiny little scrap of
paper from her hand; it was yellow
with age, and the handwriting faint
and pale. The words were in French.
"My beloved little one, to you leave
the legacy of u hereditary power.
dare not refuse to do so, for it may
be the gift of God for the doing of
His divine will; but l conjure you,
as you value the blessing of your dy-
ing mother, never use it but to save
life. Not even to fulfill justice, I'M
less to save from injustice. God bless
and keep my darling"
you did not tell any one else of
this, did you?" said Arthur.
mo. I never dared talk of my
mother, her name was too sacred to
me; to speak of her was to lay bare
the whole tenderness of my heart. I
never loved anyone well enough to
do that"
Arthur started, and the color
flushed into his cheeks.
II am glad you did not speak of it,"
he said, gently. But all this is no
proof. You have never used it, of
course?"
"Never! I have the greatest ter
ror and dread Of it. But, alas! I can
not divest myself of the idea that if
l ever took it in my hands it would
pass beyond my control; that"
"If you feel that" said Arthur,
firmly, you should not keep it in
your possession"
What can I do?" she said. 81
dare not part with it. I have stood
over the fire many and many a time
longing to cast it in, but l dare not.
My mothers words have elevated
this horrible power from a terrible
misfortune into a sacred trust. I
dare not destroy it,"
Then place it in the hands Of
some friend you can absolutely trust.
That is my advice" said Arthur.
have no friends" she answered;
mot one whom I could count upon"
Gould you not trust me?" said
Arthur. II would do all l can to
deserve your trust, if you can believe
it after so very short a time of friend
ship"
Il do, I WILL" she said. you are
so good to me. But I am selfish; you
have only known me two days, and
yet already I trouble you with my
sorrows; and l have suffered a great
deal"
Arthur pointed to the little silver
case that was lying on Antoinette's
knee. Dear Madamoiselle," he said,
will you let me put my friendship
to the proof and take charge of that
for you? think it will relieve you
to feel that it is out of your own pos
session."
YES" she answered, taking it up.
"But before I confde it to you I must
ask you to promise me that Tiff the
conditions my mother mentions
should ever make it my duty to use
it, you will give it to me-"
Il will swear it if you like" he an
swered, but, please God, that will
never be-"
She shuddered as she placed the
talisman in his hands. II feel as if l
were transferring my own burdens to
you," she said.
II wish, with all my heart. that
you could" he answered.