The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-04-28


wanted her with him.
After this conversation Inez CON-
muned long with her heart; then,
with q cruel harshness, she forced
the love she had found waking into
life there out, to give place to stern
duty. Itwas a severe struggle, and
cost her many tears; but her, firm
will conquered her girlish fancy; and
she donned the mask which women
sometimes wear So naturally that
Jack, anxious as he was to gain: her
love, never, even in. his widest
dreamings dared to think he occupied
even small place in her regard.
At last the summer came to an end
the guests at the Lake House had all
gone, and Inez found herself domes-
ticated in her city home, happy in her
calm way. Hers was one Of those
sunny natures that "take things al
ways by the smooth handle" and
she returned to her routine of house
hold duties, ministered to her fathers
every want, and attended to his most
capricious whims with angelic pa
tience and love.
The autumn had clothed itself in
its richest foliage. The frost had not
yet impaired the greennoss of grassy
knolls, nor the richly. tinted fall flow.
ers, and the clear air inviting to the
park elegantly equipped equestrians,
habited in costly silks and rich vel.
vets.
AS Mr.. Granger's carriage rolled
out of the park and into the avenues,
they We're met by gettlcman on
horseback, who drew his reins be.
side the door and asked
"Miss Granger, is it not2 I am de-
lighted to see you"
"Why, Mr.. Marvel" cried Inez, II
thought you were in Baltimore p
Papa, this is Mr.. Marvel, Jacks
brother. My father, Mr.. Marvel"
"Happy to meet you, Mr.. Granger"
said 'Mordaunt, extending his hand
with urbanity. "Most happy to meet
your'
"Thank you," replied Mr.. Granger,
without returning the compliment.
awe are having delightful wealth
err" continued young Marvel, who
either could not, or would not, notice
the unfricndliness Of his greeting
"Do you drive every day? l trust
we may meet often. Miss Granger,
with your leave l will call upon you
tomorrow. You are at"
"No. 76 D-Strcet," replied Mr..
Granger, shortly. 81 wish you good
day, sir"
Incz bowed her adieu, and they
~'Sour old codgcr ?" muttered Nor
daunt, as he drove away. "He don't
want that pretty daughter of his to
see anybody, but she shall sec me !;
III fiirt with her till l plague his life
out"
With this murderous intent in
view, Mordaunt Marvel presented
himself Mt No. 76 D-Street, and
having discovered the idiosyncrasics
of the old gentlemen with a subtle
cunning of which few young men are
capable, he played upon them as on
the chords of q violin. He observed
great politencss toward the daughter
but was devotion itself to the father.
He stayed late, discussed nice points
in politics, and the questions of the
day, with logical clcarness, and took
his leave with IL consciousness of hav-
ing won strong point-his hosts
liberation.
After that, Mordaunt Marvel made
frequent visits to Mr.. Changers house
until he had so far ingratiated him
self in that gcntlcman's good graccs
as TO make him long for his coming.
"You do not 60 enough into socie-
ty, Mr.. Granger" Mr.. Marvel ro
marked one evening, rs they with
drew from the dining table to the
parlor. He was a guest by Mr..
Grangcr's special invitation.) "I
have not met you or your daughter
at q single party this season; but
perhaps Miss 1nez does not enjoy par
ties"
"Oh, yes, she does, but I never 60,
and she can't 60 without me.
"Thcn you don't enjoy them, sir !?
1t is pity, for you are emineDtly
society man; but at any time that
yon will trust the escort of your
daughter to me, L shall be happy"
This was said in q tone Of such
supreme Indifference TO the young
lady as TO pique her vanity slightly
but it set all suspicious in the fathers
breast to rest as to any preference
Mordaunt might have for his child,
and from that day Mordaunt Marvel
became the escort Of 1ncz every
where.
Thus thrown together, the charms
of the young girl wrought spell
over young Marvel, while his brilliant
salles of wit, and ever respectful
demeanor, aroused deep interest for
him in her. Incz forgot the Jack of
whom she had onco been so fond, and
valued Mordaunt's friendship highly.
What Mordaunt Marvel at first in
tended for an idle Irritation had be-
come sober reality, and Mordaunt,
found himself, for the first time in bis
life, really in love. Yet he was not
q susceptible man; he had withstood
the batteries of bright eyes, and the
bewitching coqucttry OF bellies innu.
merable; but the sweet gcntlcncss Of
Inez Changers manner, the calm
beauty of her face, together with her
quick intelligence and unsclfish dcvo
ton to her father, first pleased and