The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-10-02
ABBEVuLE, c. WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 2 1872
7ereham was brought to us by our

Vereham was brought to us by oul
hostess and introduced. Clara es'
capped for promenade with one Of
her favorites, and I was left alone
with him. He was a grave, hand.
some young man, with a rather ab.
stracted air, which he seemed to try
to overcome as he entered into con.
versation with me; and in a few
moments 7 found myself talking
with him with the greatest ease anu
pleasure. This was something en-.
joyable, for most Of the young gen
tlemen whom I had met in society
hitherto had only answered, eyes, y
"no," and "indeed," when I had
any thing to say, and when they
made any remarks I could only an
swer eyes," "no," and ''indeed,'' %
myself. We never could seem to
strike the same chords. But Mr..
Vereham, I made up my mind at
once, was decidedly agreeable. He
had travelled a great deal, and once
on that topic, there was no end to
my interest. There were so many
places I wanted to hear about,
which I had seen only in magma
ton, and I would tell him how I
had pictured them to myself, and
then he would give me the true
picture, sometimes with such conf
cal contrast that I think We were
both very much entertained. We
promenaded, ate ices together, and
at last he asked permission to call
Oh me.
"Why, Madge, he never called at
this house but once in his life, -
exclaimed Clara, when I told her
that night, "and that was a brief
party call. 1t is a decided case of
love at first sight my dear!!''
Was it? I almost wanted to
think so myself as I fell asleep,
dreaming Of Mr.. Vereham. He
called a few evenings after, was
even more agreeable than at the
soiree, and when he left, invited me
to 60 sleigh-riding with him the
next day.
"He'll propose, next thing you
know said Clara, sagely. "These
grave bachelors always do it very
suddenly. I have known it to hap
pen more than once myself"
"Would you wear the locket,
Clarp?' I asked, as I was getting
ready for the ride.
"Well, I don't know" replied
Clara, thoughtfully. eyes! twill
look so handsome against your
black velvet jacket, and they wear
them on the streets a great deal this
winter
We had grand sleigh-ride, the
strong black horses carrying US like
the wind again and again around
the principal drives of the Park.
All the world was out, and it was a
brilliant scene, intensified every few
moments by some Of the fasfhorses
breaking into a race. [ was in the
highest possible spirits; and when
we turned homcward felt as if it
was the closing of a triumphal
march.
Il beg your pardon; but that is a
very rare and curious locket that
you wear," said Mr.. Vereham, as
he assisted me out Of the sleigh.
eyes," l answered, confusedly,
and gathering up my furs, hurried
through thanks and leave-taking,
and ran into the house. I had such
dread Of any one questioning me
about the locket, and finding out
that I had borrowed it Of a pawn
broker.
The next two or three times that [
met Mr.. Vereham, I did not wear it.
[ was really beginning to think a
good deal Of him, in romantic sort
Of way, and Clara's raillery only ad-
ded to it. 1t seemed to me that /
never had seen, never should see, any
one that T cOuld like so we'll as / did
Dudley Vercham.
Then came presently cards for a
party which was to be the party of
the season. Clara was getting up for
herself some wonderfully cloud-like
drapcry, with pearls aud turquoises.
l was to wear my blue silk, the only
real party dress had, and-the lock-
ct. Clara did my hair, and that was
half the battle.
"Now you are o perfect violet"
she said, when I was ready. "Here,
use some of this violet powder, child
and let me pour some ear de violette on
your handkerchief. There isa charm
ing great conservatory at Mrs. Harris,
and perhaps Mr.. Vereham will ask
you to walk there with him. We
girls have counted up at least ten
proposals that have been made in that
conservatory this winter.
I must confess that my heart beat
tumultuously when, in the course Of
that nevcr-to-be-forgotten evening,
Mr.. Vereham, as Clara had predicted
Invited me to walk with him in the
conservatory. took his arm all in
a futter, half terror, half happiness
and in q few moments We stood
among the camelias and cactuses
He talked about the plants at first
showing me some he had been bios
sominp in their own native climes.