The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-09-16
"NVell it won't hurt Janet, this dis

stairs in bed"
Itwas tough work. His look ant
words were hard to bear; but sat i
out, munching my bread with q de
fant air, and atterward going out 0
the room with as much bravado as
could assume.
l kissed Janet next morning, anC
80 we made up our difference; ane
pretty much in this way we quarrelee
and kissed and made up again till
Twas eighteen years of age and sen
away to school. By that time it wal
pretty we'll understood that grand
father designed us to be married a.
soon as my education was finished
and to inherit his property. l dom
know that either of US thought mucl
about it. My grandfather, watching
his idol Janet closely, was satisfied
because he saw that she was happy
But sometimes, when my domineer
| ing temper overlopped even its ordi
nary exacting demands on Janet''
sweet humility, he would shake hi'
head and mutter foreboding OF thu
"wild nature" which 1 had inherited
from my ancestors.
II passed my first vacations abroad
One excuse after another 1 made, un
til two years were gone before came
home again. The welcome then wa!
warm. Ny grandfather, whose hail
had whitened wonderfully, leanec
heavily on my arm as he walked W
and down the room.
"You see I APP changed, Ted
changed fer the worse, in these two
years. But, Janet-you think Janet'f
changed for the better; don't you
eh ?" He looked anxiously in my
| face.
My only reply was to bend ane
kiss the exquisite dimples that lay
like crumpled rose-leayes in he1
rounded cheek and chin. She flush
ed up splendidly, and drew slightly
away. II was the first time l had
known Janet shy, and it added {
keener relish to my appreciation
somewhat supercilious, Of her frank
and generous country beauty
Grandfather smiled proudly.
"Thcre's no girl like our JanetP'
he said to mc. "She was brought up
by men-women don't train such
girIs-and she's got mans courage:
a mans will, and mans sense OF
honor, added to a woman's tender
ness. Yeu are happy man, Ted, to
possess her."
acquiesced, with inward supercili,
BUSINESS, thinking my grandfather
was getting childish in his old age
But remembered it all afterward.
and recognized his wisdom.
One day, late in tho afternoon, l
got my horse out, and, promising
Janet that I would be gone but an
hour, rode briskly away over the
white, hard, winter ground. The
cold air set my pulses bounding; the
blood mounted to my head, and, sing
ing furiously, rode on and on. In
the outskirts of the town I CHANGED
to meet some acquaintanccs; among
them Bert Harrison, college chum,
with his sister. They urged me to
Join them, and we rsde into town
We had supper, and music, while
Rosalind Harrison's beautiful eyes
smilingly invited love into mine:
forgot my promise to Janet. The
first red streaks of early dawn were
visible over the eastern hills when |
rode homeward. The touch OF the
cold, pine-scented air on my forehead
was grateful.
The first sight that greeted my
eyes as Iswung the gate was Janet,
flying towards me. Evidently she
had not slept. Her face was pale, her
yesterdays evening dress was not
laid off, and dark shadows underlined
her heavy eyes.
"What! up so soon?" I cried with
affected gayety, as 1 flung myself, to ,
the ground-"and waiting for a ride
Jump up now, and You shall have one
,canter before put Bess in tho sta
bles. She's dead tired out with her
nights work..
But Janet's only answer was to
throw her arms about my neck with
a burst of tears.
30, Tcdl what fright you have
given us; what night | have spent;
1 feared an accident. We have had
men securing the hills, but they
could find no trace of you. Thank
God you are safe home"
He'd her into the house, soothing
her as we'll as I could. After a few
moments of convulsive weeping, she
grew calmer, and I wiped her eyes
with pcnitent kisses. She lett me,
smiling, and I was congratulating
myself on having escaped SO easily,
when door opened, and my grand
father stood before me or tho land
ing. One glance at his shakingwhite
head and stern face assured me that
the worst was yet to come. cup
pose l must have looked like a guilty
culprit, with my winc-hushed face,
my wind-tosscd hair, and disordered
clothes.
swell, STRIP BE spoke briefly, and
then stood silent, waiting an cxplana-
ton.
II am sorry to have caused you
any uneaslness," I began, trying at
the same to be respectful, and to curb
the irritatcd temper which was born
of my exhausted nerves. II met
some village friends, and joined them
at supper in town. ! quite forgot
the flight of time. This anxiety re-
garding me, which you and Janet dis:
II