The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-05-19
ABBEVILLE, S. G, WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1875
do you call that swcet-scentei shrub beside

ssdo you call that sweet-scentei shrub beside
you?"
: Violet both lookel and felt disappointed
at his Indifference, but she was politely an.
Bwering his question when young man
drew near, in whom Malcolm recognized an
Acquaintance.
Vernon Aubrey" he cried, speaking
cordially for the first time, as he shook
hands with the new conner "This is, indeed,
an unexpected pleasure. Ishould as soon
have thought of meeting you at'the an
tipodes, as at fancy ball!'
Vernon Aubrey (a slight, thoughtful.
looking man, with an intellectual. brow, and
eyes so expressive that One forgot to INQUIRE
if the rest Of his features were plain or
handsome( colored slightly, and glanced at
Violet, whom it was evident that he recog.
.nized in spite Of the vizor she had donned.
sssss Indeed, Male1lm," he replied,-" I might
say the same with respect to you. ! The
? truth Is, that Miss Lindsly and I were play
$'mates in childhood, and L come. here some-
times that she may not-swAolS forget old
times and old friends, ~ -, -
There was touch of rcptoachiu his tones
which Violet seemed to feel and resent, for
she turned from him and addressed Mr..
Malcolm. -,
"I will lea-e you now." she said, " as you
will be no longer alone. Mr.. Aubrey is study
ing for the Church, and is delighted withsan
opportunity for moralizing on tho follies Of
his fellow-creatures. Will yon help him
or gently correct him when he grows too
cynical ?"
This WAS long and sharp speech for the
shy Violet, and Aubrey felt it, pettishness.
Yet he ventured to detain her as she was
gliding AWAY. "One moment, Miss Linds.
ly; my principal, I may say my sole, reason
for being here tonight is that may con-
gratulate you on this anniversary. All
happiness be yours--both now and always,
dear Violet!'
She bent her head, and thanked him for
his good wishes, but with such icy coldness,
that the young man was evidently hurt;
but, bravely concealing this he drew small
case from the pocket of his vest, and put
into her hands chaste broach Of Indian
workmanship. "Will you wear this some
times, in remembrance of those dear old
times when our friendship knew no restric-
tions-no coolness?'
For moment, Violet's color rose high,
and her lips trembled; but, instantly re-
covering herself, she said, Thanks, Mr..
Aubrey; your gift is very pretty. must
try and find place Tor itamong the many
presents t L.. received to-day from nv
friends"
Vernon Aubrey was mortified by her care
less tones, and drew back directly. Nal
colin, who had overheard the dialogue,
smiled sarcastically. "This is the result Of
Sybil Derwent's teachings" he said to him
self. Linds]y's pet child, whom 1 have 80
often heard him extol as one of the sweetest
and simplest Of girls, is fast developing into
q scheming coquette. Poor Aubrey !"
There was now little hustle in the fast
filing room. N1r. Walters had arrived his
keen eyes had recognized Violet by her
bright tresses, and he was making his way
towards her, exchanging jests with one and
another as he came along. He appeared to
be in such remarkably high spirits, even for
him, that his cousin Immediately suspected
their reality. Better acquainted with his
disposition than any one else, he felt toler-
ably certain that something had occurred to
annoy him, which he was endeayoring to
conceal beneath semblance Of extrayagant
gaiety. And he was right.
Mr.. Walters had carried out his intention
Of calling at Camberwell on the pretty inno-
cent girl whoh had taught to love him,
and believe in the honied words he delighted
in whispering in her too credulous ears.
Millicent,Vyner had bashfuly concealed
from her mother the many apparently acci-
dental meetings she had had with her hand
some adnlirer, as she went to and from her
employment, until Walters drew from her
confession that she loved him.
Nothing doubling that he would soon
propose their union, the happ7 girl then
told her sweet secret to her an ous mother
who, betterversel in the ways Ct the worl
SAW much Ito doubt and fear where her
daughter placed implicit t.uth.
And while Walters was snilingly listening
to Millicents admiring comments on his ap
pearance, the grlve-i;tced widow stole upof
them, and boldly challenged him to declare
his intentions.
Incapable Of parrying her home questions,
or refuting her reproaches, he had been
obliged to beat an ignominious retreat
But never had he felt so fully the depth Of
his own meanness, and the superiority Of
the hapless Millicent, as when, with one
look of mute anguish, she turned from him,
a.1dahid her face upon the bosom of he,
mother.
Shame; however, soon gave place to anger;
and before Robert Walters arrived at Def.
went Lodge, he had almost succeeded in
convincing himself that the Vyners were
deceitful, designing people, and that the
whole affair had been planned one to entrap
him into an unequal marriage. Mrs. Vyncr's
wel-merited reproofs ranked deeply up.
on his always irritable temperament; and
there was dangerous sparkle in his eye,
which Charles Malcolm saw and understood.
To every one else, however, he only appear
ed little louder, and gayer than usual.
He bent low before Miss Lindsly when he
reached the place where she was standing,
and with profusion Of compliments, clasp.
ed upon her arm magnificent bracelet.
The offering was not in good taste. It
was much too showy to please the refined
simplicity of Violet; neither did she like the
fulsome speeches which accompanied the gift,
but the eyes of so many were upon her, that
she did not like to reject IL; nor when Mr.
Walters, with the air of a favored lover, pro-
ceeded to draw the arm he had adorned
through his own, did the embarrassed girl
oppose it, though an appealing glance at
Sybil entreated her assistance.
The meaning look was promptly an.
swered As those who had been lingering
in the apartment began to press towards the
ballroom, where the quadrille band had
just commenced a lively strain, Sybil put
herself directlyin Mr.. Walters way ,and with
some triaing question or other, contrived to
detain him, while Violet gladly slipped away,
and mingled with the crowd.
Walters had not seen the entreating
glance which led Sybil to do this; but he
detected the maneuvre that deprived him
of.his pretty companion, nlras dreadfully
annoyed. He was in the humor to quarrel
with any one who thwarted him and, aware
that he had played the ardent suitor to both
the yonng ladies', he coarsely attributed
Miss Derwents conduct to jealousy of his
attentions to her friend. Little heed as he
had paid to his cousins structures upon her,
they required to his memory now, and a
desire to punish her heartless conduct to
Charles Malcolm partially prompted the
ru.lcncss with which he now addressed her.