The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-07-03

been at her command, and that sht
had declined them; but, since thi:
was impossible, she was fain to con
| sole herself with tho thought that il
was At least tho moro dignificd posi-
ton never to have received them
never, "a she hattcred hcrsdlf, t. have
appeared conscious Of Mr.. Devereux':
existence.
This dignificd pose, however, be-
came rather trying and awkward, as
t me went on, and, the ice having once
been broken, Mr.. Dcvercux found his
way very frequently into tho Ingles'
by circle. At first he came like every
other visitor, in orthodox and formal
fashion, through tho front-door; but
before long he discovered that . short
cut through tho garden was much
moro Convenient, and that it wasvery
pleasant indeed to drop into a sort oi
ami de Ia nsaison place in tho bowery
drawing-room. full of tho scent ol
roses, tho graceful presence of women
music now ard then, bright smiles
and social case always. Despite her
bitter disappointment, Mrs 1nglesby
could not help liking the young man.
IIo was 60 quiet, 20 unobtrusivc, SC
thoroughly refined, so genial, when he
once fairly thawed. "Oh, if hc would
only fall in love with Rose" she said
to her husband. But, provokingly
enough, the Colonel seemed excellent.
IL we'll satisfied with matters as they
were.
"He's triac too grave and digni.
fed for butterfly like Rosc,' he said
II think he shows his sense and his
taste in choosing Alice. She's n grand
creature, and, by Gcorgel any man
might be proud to win her. There is
nothing should like better than to
sec her settled with US for life-just
over tho way, in that fine old Dover.
eux house, tool"
"The house whcro I have always
hoped to see Rose p said Mrs. Ingles,
By, in q tone of evaporation.
1t ,oas trying to tic poor woman,
beyond doubt-and tho more trying
because she had no sympathy from
anybody, unless, indeed las she often
imas asincd), there was sympathy in
Alice's large, golden-brown eyes. Mr..
Deverenx devotion to tho fair, young
widow became, in q short time, OK
cecdingIy manifest, but it was iIhpos.
siblc for the most carping tongu" in
Northorpc to say that she "cnconr.
aged" him. Neither did she repcl his
attentions. The gentle stateliness,
the absolutely perfect courtesy of her
manner, was the same to him as to
every one else-a trifle warmer, per.
haps, because of the familiar position
he had gained, and also because she
liked him sincerely.
R.se, on her part. could not help
feeling little sore about the uncon.
scious yet most successful rivalry of
her sister-in-law. Every body in North
orpe was raving over "that beautiful
Mrs. Inglesby," and Rosc wonld not
have been human if she had not felt
that it was little hard. Her own
friends, her own admirers, her own
vassals, were offering their incense at
another shrine before her very face
II can't see why q woman should not
be satisfied with having had oae hus.
bandl" thought tho girl. rcsentinl!y,
as she watched some Of these. scenes
of homage. ri think widows ought
to shut themselves up in converts, or
spend their lives in doing good to the
poor, instead of looking ravishingly
lovely in black silk and white Grape,
and Maric-Stuart caps, to-to turn
silly peoples heads!"
IL was o matter Of satisfaction du-
ring this time that Kennon did not
swell the number Of these silly people.
Often when Rose was worn out with
the manner in which everybody chant
ed the praises of her sistcr-in-law,
there was 4 very great and sensible
satisfaction in recalling those bitter
words concerning widows which Ken.
non had spoken when she saw him
last. AS was said at the time, the
girl was not enough Of woman of
the world to suspect what mi ght un-
dcrlic this bitterness. She op4y smiled
to herself as she thought there was
no fear that he would ever swell the
new boauty's train! She might en-.
snare tho rich cousin, but the poor
one could be trusted to withstand her
destinations.
1t twas about this time that Mr.. Dcv.
ercux came to Mrs Inglesby one day
and asked if sho would be kind
enough to do the honors of an enter.
tainment which ho had thoughts oil
giving. 1T is not pleasant thing to
do," he said; "but l have been very
Hospitality received in Northorpc, and
o return is only courteous. Besides
since I intend to live here, perhaps
I should begin to cultivate society O
little" Mrs. Inglesby agreed tha,
this was entirely right. and, smother
ing sigh, asked what kind of enter
tainment he wished to give.
81 leave all that to you," said he
looking q little puzzled "but I though,
Of a dinner, and'a-a dance, perhaps
in the evening""
"rhat isjust the thing" said Mrs
1nglesby; "but you must not ask M,
to do the honors of tho occasion
You must 60 to Mrs. Reynolds. She
would be mortally offended if you