The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-08-05

Keep your seat, said Bedford, sand
have another cigar = q didn't know
how interested I had become,
"What did she do then?' .'F'@}.' - ~
do? She edged up to the door
and watched the progress of affairs
in the brilliant cabin. Then I was
quite ready to get on my knees and
avow my villainy in concealing the
mistake. I staggered mp to her-the
|perspiration on my forehead and my
knees knocking together. My heart
knawed as with desperation, !
sought for words. Everything swan
around, and I felt faint.
'Cousin,' I said, grasping her arm,
though not roughly-f did not know
her name)-'l-I-am-I am ac-
quainted with this gentleman you
like 80 WE'LL
Courage failed me, and she stared
in my coward eyes, Il don't like him
You know I do not-tell me about
him.
; Yes, of course'-and the man in
the moon must have mistaken me
for some nebula-my mind gyrated,
and electric flashes encompassed me
about. iOh, yes-h'm-he's q good
fellow-that is, he is a-he's law
yer in st. Louis. Name is Salem
Mott. Lives with his mother-loves
her pretty well-that is, I dare say he
loves Mr-don't you
Mel 1 never saw his mother
has pretty name-how you oct!
what is the matter2' .ja .tGa Ii
He goes into society some with
her; he-is-ba shful-perhaps o lit
tie deceitful in one thing s-u,g
rs he2 In what2' she asked, ra-
pidly glancing in the cabin door.
oh, no, I guess not deceitful; but
he hasn't much property; rather
ambitious, though. His looks arc
against his making a matrimonial
spec .,
,Looksl He's better looking than
you are. I do think he's handsome.
See him laugh with that goose of a
cousin of minel'
you are very complimentary
well, I do think he is noble look.
ing, like You, dear cousin Don't
laugh, Bedford this is what she said
He looked so lonesome and so sad
I camo very near creeping up behind
him, taking him by the ear and Of:
fering him my services as q partner
for the "Lancers." What would you
have said?' ."a
'Me!'-for that wos a sumner J.
why, l would have said God bless
your woman's heart! He is lone
some. There is no man on the boat
SO worthy or willing I think, to bo
your cavilier on your trip. Why, he
would love you to death, I'm sure
sOh! oh on Cousin has loft him
alone. Good-by.' ,'..," r.. =
She was gone-gope after her: lady
cousin-and I watched with beating
heart for the outbreak, Of a coming
storm. Ah, how I wished the mis-
take had been told by my lips. Now
she would find me a guilty Wretch.
She would bring that cousin to wreak
vengeance upon me. I crept up to
the door-post of the cabin and looked
in. The two young ladies came up
near the door and stood silent a mo-
ment. I strained every nerve of
hearing, cand trembled: My sylph
opened a pair Of ruby lips, and rath-
er testify said ,!@ ~ .
sYou met him and danced with him
aud-and-what else?' s ....;f.4 .sB
The cousin looked askance at her,
and then glanced down the long room
in silence. Finally she turned to the
sylph and asked: Danced with
whomp
why with our lonesome family
prototype. Can you present him to
me /?
present him to your cried the
cousin. 4 am perplexed by what you
say. I saw you dancing with bim as
graciously as though you had known
him for years. .
sOh, don't poster me- replied sylph
Struggling her matchless shoulders
Come dear, don't bother me. de
want TO know him 30 much-indeed
|dor
why, my cousin darling, I am
quite angry. with you. I've kept
company with Charles all the even
ing
What o ib that is. You are jeal
GUS! Fie, Charles and l have beer
together until this moment from tho
first; and just here the eyes of my
late partner in the dance shot fire and
confusion. Mutual ire was rising
Then we must quarrel, I suppose
One of us is wonderfully mistaken
and it is you.
The other-the sylph-for shc wal
much the more beautiful of the two
sulked, and muttered, 1t is your
TO show you that it is not me
cousin, that has made fearful blum
der. let US 60 and ask. l know tha
Charles and I wondered very much
at your performance
Performance! now that is too bad.
Il could have shaken the unwel
come truth out of that girl for hel
impertinence, although [ knew sh
was correct, for my quasi cousin
eyes were filing with tears.
Why said she, 'he knows al
about that man. His name is Salem
Mott, and he is o lawyer, and he''
got a mother in st. Louis, and III
likes him ever 80 much, and-and-
IL.