The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-08-03

Laura Carlisle. Indignantly, whe,
they were in their carriage. "Wha'
does Mrs. Howard mean by intro
ducing such persons to her guests
I'll never forgive her! TO think
should have danced with a low
clerk"
"Why, Laura, I am sure he is 6
perfect gentleman" said Katy.
"Gentlcman, indeed! A common
clerk pretend to be a gentleman, anC
aspire to good society! Katy Carlisle
you arc a little idiot"
"At least, like him as much now
as did last night" said Katy, with
spirit.
Every we'll indulge your low tastes
if you like" returned Laura, scorn
fully 81 shall certainly not cultiti
vate his acquaintance"
A few evenings later, as Laura
stood, robed like a princess, in Judge
Glover's elegant saloon, she saw
Floyd Laurence making his way to-
ward her.
"IIc here! Are people all gone
mad? But he won't dare to address
mel" she thought, her bright check
reddehing angriIy.
But he did dare, coming up to her
with frank, gentlemanly greeting.
Laura looked full in his eyes, with a
glance which might have turned
away in naughty silence.
Floyd's handsome face did not even
flush he only elevated his fine eye
brows, while curious smile curved
his mouth, just as q soft voice behind
him said, inpulsively, .
"Mr. Laurence, won't you shake
hands with mc?"
lie turned quickly, and then, indeed
his face did flush and his eyes kindle.
rs he once more held held the soft,
little haud he held once before, with
u strange thrill in his breast.
"Are you brave enough to ac-
knowledge the acquaintance Of u
mere clerk, in this place, Miss Car
lisle?" he asked.
II don't care whether you are q
clerk or a king" said Katy, innocent
ly, smiling up in his face. "You arc
a. gentleman, and like you"
"Thauk you," said Laurence, draw.
ing her arm within his own. "Thcn,
perhaps, you will promenade with me
for few moments"
Yes, for I wish to remind you that
you have not kept your promise to
call on us"
"ButI I WILL" answered Floyd Lau-
renee. And as he looked down into
her blue eyes, there was something
in his gaze which set Katy Carislc's
tender, little heart all Of q flutter
Well, Laurence called ut Mr. Car
isles handsome mansion, and purpose
ly asked for "the young ladies"
Laura scorntully declined to 50 down
stairs, but told Katy that her "aristo-
cratic" acquaintance was waiting to
see her, and Katy fastened to receive
him, and entertained him to tho best
of her ability.
: She succeeded 80 we'll that Floyd
Lau renee came again. And on this
second call, unconventional little
Katy, who was alone in the parlor,
opened the door for him herself, and
met him with q frank welcome.
$50, then, you still like me?" asked
Floyd, as he stood in the centre of
the great parlor, with the littlo hand
she had given him clasped between
his own.
"Yes-I-I-t think So" said Katy,
flutteringly, the roses coming End 60
ing on her fair cheek.
"But liking won't satisfy me any
longer" said Floyd, with rare smile.
81 want something else-something
far warmer, sweeter, stronger Is it
in your dear, little heart to give, Katy
darling?"
And Katy, giving him shy glance,
as he bent down and took her in bis
arms, whispered again,
ayes, | think SOL"
"It seems Katy is about to be mar
ried," said old Judge Howard, meet
ing Laura, few weeks later.
s.Yes little foolish thing!" rctuaned
Laura, coloring with vexation.
"I'm sure said all I could to prevent
it,"
"To prevent it! What possible OBJ.
lection could have to Floyd Lau.
renee ?". asked her old friend.
"Why, Judge Howard, think of her
throwing herself away on a common
clcrk?"
"My dear girl, I don't know what
you are talking about" said Judge
Howard, with perplexed look.
"You surely know that Mr.. Lau.
rence is nothing more than a clerk in
Mr. Warburton's store?'
"My dear, young lady, I surely
know that he is something more than
a clerk for any one. He is the only
son of tho Laurence estates?"
Judge Howard! yon must be mis-
taken!'
II am not my child. ], myself
hold some twenty thousand dollars o.
his money in my trust. His father
was my friend In boyhood. You'
cousin Katy is fortunate, Laura, fol
Floyd Laurence is q match tor any
one to be proud Of"
us he really SO wealthy?"- persist
ed Laura, deubtingly.
.r. - '.-s s.' < - soe' -,