The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-04-29

Mr.. Irvine asked about the dla-
monds. and Arthur told him that all
had been done with regularity and
order on Monsieur Tasset's return to
Co. cy. They had had considerable
d. ulty in finding the charcoal
burners hut again; but having done
So, Tasset put an official seal upon
the case containing the stones, and it
had been removed to the bank, where
it was to remain until Antoinette
should be we'll enough TO give direc-
tions as to its final destination.
And she is getting better every
day now" said Arthur, almost gally,
though Dr.. Simon warns me that for
a long time she will need the great
est care
Some days passed. Letters came
from England, from lola, both to
Arthur and to Mr.. Irvine. lola did
not know how to accept the extra
ordinary story that she had heard. 1t
thrilled her with mingled interest
and fear. While feeling the deepest
compassion for Antoinette, she could
not help showing her keen anxiety
about her brothers future in every
line Of the letter.
In a few days more came the re-
quest that Mr.. Irvine had been quiet
ly expecting. Arthur and Antoinette
wished to be married at once, and
begged him TO perform the cere-
mony. There was no reason for de
lay. Their position in Bordeaux was
a TRANCE and anomalous one. Al
thur could not leave her in her deli
cate, ervou state, and yet it would
hardly do for him to linger on for
ever thus. A quiet, speedy wedding
seemed the only and best solution OF
the difficulty.
So the very day on which Janet
and Colonel Curtis were married at
Denstone Court, the little English
Chapel at Bordeaux witnessed an
other and very different wedding
scene. Mr.. Irvine married Arthur
and Antoinette. the only witnesses be-
ing the good doctor and his wife and
the Sisters Of the Holy Cross, who
had nursed her through her lon5 n
dangerous illness. and now, with
tears Of emotion. dressed her for her
bridal.
After the wedding Arthur took his
wife to Biarritz for rest and change;
and Mr.. Irvine went EDWARDS, with a
feeling of sadness and loneliness, to
try to forget home in wandering in
Spain.
The diamonds, by Mr.. D%enstone's
advice. we're returned to England,
and the whole fortune, under his able
superintendent, realized and rein
vested, the income, he wrote to his
nephew, being about thirty thousand
a year.
Arthur and Antoinette did not re-
main long at Biarritz. A telegram
summoned him home to the death
bed of his father, and, though they
travelled rapidly, they arrived too
late. Antoinette bore the journey
much better than Arthur had dared
to hope; and, indeed, she rapidly re-
gained health and strength and the
happiness of her new life brought
back the color to her cheeks, enhanc-
ing greatly her beauty.
The death Of the old squire made
a considerable change at Denstone
Court. Reginald, happily married to
his Mrs. Grimes, declared that he
hated the place, and only wished to
be rid of it, and Arthur forthwith
purchased it. Janet and her husband
and Reginald wondered what he
meant to do; but he soon made it
evident. He and Antoinette meant to
make a home there with the poor
widow and all the children.
Painters and upholsterers and car-
penters were turned in, and in a
short time the whole place was trans
formed. gardeners engaged, horses
bought. all established on a new scale
of comfort; and for tho children suf-
fcient attendants and a good gov
erness were found.
One day Arthur found lola stand
ing idly at the window. with large
tears rolling down her cheeks, and
he put his arms around her.
What is it, my little Cinders?" he
said: tell me about it.
1T is nothing. Arthur; ] an very
happy. AS for your Antoinette, she
is the dearest, sweetest creature in
the world. and the children love her
so; and mother watches her with all
her soul in her eyes"
Then what ails my little precious
sister,"
"ldleness. Arthur. Nothing else.
'Othello's occupation gone"
That afternoon a visitor arrived
and asked for lola. She went down
stairs with flushed cheeks and a little
quivering smile. The interview did
not last very long.
In Il few moments she ran upstairs
and threw herself straight into An
toineltc's arms.
"Oh. AntOlnette, he wants to marry
me. Fancy me! 1t is not possible
a Cinderella such as ] have always
been"
Arthur went downstairs 70 shake
MI. Irvine's hand and welcome him
as a dear brother.
One only stipulation lola made.
49, .l,4 N .Lot rLD ,ofrht ~ rf
Lefty with her. Mr.. Irvine's new
living. which he had accepted now,
was in G large seaside place. and lola