The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-06-19

the day-(No, mammal have not an
idea of going)-and l must say you look
very comfortable where you are, Mr..
Kennon."
IT am very comfortable" said Mr..
Kennon-which in truth was not re-
markable, as he was leaning against a
large elm, with his face to the window
and his back to the tree, thus enjoying
at his leisure the shade cast fretly oown
upon him, and the pretty picture ar
ranged before him. Il am very COM
Portable indeed; and 1 will unite use
fulness to comfort, by letting you know
as soon as the carriage containing your
sister-in-law comes in sight. Docs your
brother accompany her"
MY brother" For an instant Rose
opened her eyes. "Oh, you are think
ing of my other sister-in-law-lny
brother Roberts wife. This is the
widow of my brother who is dead-my
poor brother Harry. She is travelling
alone, and papa has gone down to the
station to meet her. We have never
seen her." proceeded the young lady,
waxing quite confidential. "She and
Harry met in Europe, aud were married
there, and went straight to Brazil,
where he had q position as engineer; !;
|and''-her voice fell-''he died there.
When his wife came back, she went to
her own friends, and SO, though 1t Is
three years since she returned, we have
never seen her, and-O Mr.. Kennon, We
do wonder so much what she is like!"
.Do YOU s' said Mr.. Kennon. II am
a little little surprised ut that. OF
course most women have reason to be
curious about au0ther women; but you
need not fear q riyal near the throne.
~ am not sure about that" said Rose,
candidly. "Widows are very tascina,
ting; and think l have heard that she
is beauty"
"Her beauty ought to be worn off by
this time" said Mr.. Kennon, with the
sneer that often disfigured his handsome
mouth. "Can woman bury husbands
ad H6itum and show 10 sign of it? If
there is one popular belief more than
another which fills me with disgust, it
is the belief that widows have any at
traction to men who do not prefer all
their goods and chattels secondhand" "
he went on, with q bitterness which
surprised Rose, yet pleased her. too ;
though it would have walked the suspi-
cion Of q more worldly-wise woman.
.'There is something about widow
that smacks of the charnel-house," he
continued. "Either she loved her first
husband, or she did not-in either case,
who cares to be his successor"
"Then I suppose the belle veure OF
French comedy has no attraction tn
you?" said Rose, half archly, halt
shyly.
He laughed-not pleasantly, by any
means.
"If ever I make up my mind to mar
ry one,n he said, II shall order my we'd
ding-coat from a pawnbroker's. There
would be an exquisite fitness in the as
sociation Of things. But think l see
the carriage conIing-so your curiosity
with regard to this particular widow
will soon be gratified. l hope, she vii!
prove everything she should be, and
hope you will let me come to see you
soOn."
He lifted his hat and bowed. But
Rose did not return the salutatlon.
She had turned to tell her mother that
the expected guest was near at hand;
and. when she turned back again, lie
was already walking rapidly away
She had meant to say something before
he went-something that would bring
him back soon-but it was too late now.
The carriage was approaching, ana,
even while Mrs. Inglesby was saying,
"You might really have some regard fol
nv wishes, Rose, in the matter OF en-
couraging that Mr.. Kennon," 1t drew
up before the house.
SThe two ladies went out once to wei
come the stranger. AS they reached the
front door, they saw Colonel lnglesoy
assisting tall, graceful woman III.
long Grape veil and q long black cloak,
from the carriage. Roses heart gave o
hound. "a beautiful figure at any
rate.n she thought; land still in wild
owls weeds ~ The next moment
there was the rush of reception ano
greeting-hands clasped, kisses given
half uttered words spoken, few tears
shed, perhaps, for this visit could not oe
other than sad in the thoughts and asso'
Citations which it wakened, and, when
all this subsidized, the young widow was
within her husbands home.
"You would like to 60 to your own
room at once, would you not, my dear?,
asked Mrs. Inglesby, as they entered
the hall.
"Thank you, yes. lam so very tir
ed" the stranger, in sweet voice.
So she was borne away to the upper
regions, while Rose-who was intensely
curious to see that veiled face-found
herself left to endure her curiosiety q!
best she might.
She did not endure it very we'll. She
was impatient and unsettled, and SHE
rOamed restly about the drawing-roon
waiting for her mother to return. ane
quite unconscious that Mrs. 1nglesbH
lad come down stairs and beeu absorbed
into the dining-room, whence proceeu
ed. ever and anon, that friendly clattel
of dishes which speaks so cohhdehtiA
of coming cheer. John was good ser
want. but rather stupid; SO his mistress
Who WAS naturally anxious that, ON tht
first day of the strangers arrival, every
thing stould be right and proper, hat
thought it hest to gs and superlnlene
matters i'm person. Hence, hl'ss thgies
by fidgeted in the arawipg-room quitf
alone and hence, also. she went 10 t1'
window and stretched her neck 70 gaZt
up and down the street, IN iainI pope o
seeing Mr.. Kennon OF the visible holi
zon. While she was thus engagen' tils
rustic of dress sounded penlnu Het
and melodious voice said:
"Have Idrifted into the right ROOM
and, turning suddenly, she faced he'
sister-in-law.
In moment she saw what she was
like. and in q moment, too, her heart
WITHOUT rhyme or reason. sank doWr
| into her very shoes. Yes. this is tn
right room," she said, land l am yer,
glad to see you. Pray sit down"
Meanwhile, she thought. "What a vair
fool was to wonder if she would be