The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-06-19
From Appleton's Journal.
Miss InglHsby'S SistGr-in-LaV.
A STORY IN SIX CHAPTERS.
BY THE AUTHOR OF "vALER1E AYL-
MEE," "MoRToN HOUSE," MABEL
LEE" ETC.
CHAPTER T.


II wonder what she will be iike?"
said pretty Rose Inglesby, half musing-
ly, half pettishly. .'She might have
had consideration enough to send one
her photograph! 1t is very tantalizing
to be expecting o woman, and not even
to know what she looks like-not even,
; in general way, whether she is pretty
or ugly. Suppose toss up sixpence.
and decide that point at least by heads
and tails? Mamma, have you six
pence?"
Don't be foolish, Rose" answered
Mrs. Inglesby, placidly.
This was Mrs. Inglesby's usual reply
to her daughters usual flow of gay mons
sense; and on this occasion the remark
had decidedly sedative effect. Miss
Inglesby leaned back, yawned, and said
no more. The flies hunimed drowsily,
the clock licked obtrusieely, and for five
minutes an unbroken silence reigned in
the bowery drawing-roOm, with its lace
curtains and India mating, its graceful
furniture, and cool, Venetian blinds.
The two ladies, who wele its only occu-
pants, had the width of the room be-
tween them and although it was evil
dent that they were both enduring that
unpleasant expectation which is the
same in kind, however much it may
differ in degree, whether battle or q
guest is impending, yet it was SO evident
that they bore this trying ordeal very
differently. Mrs. Inglesby-a model o
the "fair, fat and forty" type OF good
looks-seemed indemnifying herself fol
her broken siesta by a luxurious rest in
\ deep fdutcuI, while Rose-who was
seated in All inscrutable schoolgirl fash
ion in the corner of soia-did not keeI
still for two consecutive seconds. Al
last, restlessness prevailed over indo.
lence, and with asquick motion she rose
to her feet.
This is into!erable!" !" she said
"What with the heat, and the waiting
and the uncertainty, am SO nervous
don't know what to do with myself
Mamma "(indignantly,)"I believe you
are absolutely asleepw
"No anu not" said Mrs. Inglesby
iu a suspiciously drowsy tone of denial
II only wish / was ~ said Rose and
then she began pacing to and fro. As
she moved across the floor, practising
various steps, and various modes of car.
rying her shoulders and arms, by way
0f passing the time, she suddenly caught
a glimpse of herself in large mirror
and this glimpse made her pause. She
stopped aud gazed, fascinated, as any
one else might have been, by the fresh
ness of her complexion, the grace of hel
features, the sheen of her hair; and as
" at her own loveliness, then conscious.
ly at her own vanity.
Mamma" she said-paused q mo-
ment, considered, and finally went on
I'mamma, I wonder if she will be pret.
tier than amp
""Prettier than you afe" echoed Mrs.
Inglesby, with a start Then she look ed
up at her daughter, and it was easy to
see frem the GOODNESS with which she
went on that this egregious want ol
dnglesGy's part. II can't say, Rose
but should think 1t was very probable
She had quite O reputation before she
was married, you know and Harry
poor fellow !-always spoke of her as 6
great beauty"
II have something Of q reputation
too," said Rose, still looking at hersel
in the glass land if married 1 an
sure should feel very badly if my hus
band did not think I was a great beauty
Thank you for your information, mann
ma; but neither of these two points, Il
very novel or very conclusive. She
really might have had sufficient consid
Grafton to send one. her. photograph,
repeated she young lady, impatiently
!'Thds upcertainty will drive me distract
ed"
..Isn'G that five o'clock striking ~
asked Mrs. Ipglesby. 1.-THE train Is
due 50 SOON now that it would hardly be
worth while to 80 distracted, think
Rose"
'"It is due at $40. r believe" said
Rose. :
This reflection sobered her, for she
walked to the window and looked 9ui
silently on the broad street with its rows
OF green shade-trees, the golden sun.
shine streaming through them, and the
long shadows thrown across. She
made pretty picture. standing by tht
window in the grim dimpess of its half
closed blinds, with the lace curtains al
around her, and hanging baske
swinging just above her head-such s
pretty picture that q gentlman. who q
this moment came down the quiet street
paused suddenly at the sight of it. Ht
was a dark, slender man, of medium
size. who, as he paused. took off his ha
and spoke ia the toue and with the man
ner of familiar acquaintance.
''Good evening, Miss Inglesby. Wha
miracle have I to thank Tor the unex
pected pleasure of seeing you? It sure
" must have been miracle to bripf
you down from your siesta at five
O'clock on such an afternoon as this
the warmest OF the season, everybody
says"
'.Good evening, Mr.. Kennon, "rsturn
ed Miss Inglesby, with = smile and 1
hlnsb tGNyCu hovan ~ o,,v n, ir.,,.1a ot a