The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-12-29

| or London, and In the mouse OF some Opu-
lent inhabitant of the Celestial Empire.
The fantastic furniture, with its extra
ordinary and incoherent ornaments; the
delicious yet brilliantly-colored tissues,
that hung from the walls; the beautiful
rose-colored lamps, that bloomed rather
than shed light, transported one at once
to Hong Kong or Shanghai.
divan. or sofa, very large, and very
low, furnished with piles Of cushions COW
cred with the same tissues that hung from
the walls, was placed at the further end of
this smoking-room, upon which, smothered
up in cashmere shawls, young woman
was lying, smoking Il cigarette.
She was a tiny little creature. but her
throat, shoulders, and arms were exguis-
itely round and faultlcss in shape; whilst
her dimpled, yet slender hands, with their
rosc-tinted nails, looked like costly jewels,
only made to be caressed.
She was not beautiful-hardly even
what could have been called very pretty;
but she had one Of those faces which,
once seen, are never to be forgotten.
Her forehead was rather too high, and
her mouth, Notwithstanding its charming
freshness Of color, too large: Her eye
brows were perfectly arched, but they
were so palpably artificial in their inky
blackness, and extreme decision Of line,
that they gave certain hardness to the
whole face; but, to compensate for this
defect, her complexion was beautifully
clear, and Of pale olive color, that had
an inexpressibly cool and soft appearance.
Her dark, velvety eyes had magnetic
power in them very rarely seen. Her teeth
were very white and even; and her black
hair was long and fine, with blue CLEANS
in its rich, wavy masses. i.
On perceiving Noel, who raised the silk
curtains that hung before the door as he
entered, she half raised herself; and
leaned upon her elbow.
80, you've come at lastT she said,
speaking in sharp voice; "and it's high
| time, too"
The barrister paused for moment, al
most sntfocated by the tropical heat of the
smoking-room.
"Whst sitting atmosrhereT' be said.
ats like an ovenT
"Do you think sol" remarked the young
lady. .Im sorry We differ in opinion. I
think it awfuly chilly; but that's because
I'm i'll. hate lying down; it irritates me,
and alssays brings on nervous headache!
Waiting for you has made it worse! / ex-
pected you yesterday"
ut was impossible for me to come-ut-
terly impossible"
"fou knew very well, however, that two
of my bills were due today, and that
had several heavy payments to make"
Noel bent his head, and looked Us awk-
ward as a schoolboy whose master is rat
ing him on Monday morning for having
neglected his lessons on Sunday evening.
aOh, comew he expostulated; "you real
ly ought to forgive me. I'm only one day
behind time"
"And that's nothing. Is It'll" replied the
fair occupant Of the sofa. "a gentleman
a-yem gentleman, mean-doesn't care
tig about bis own bills, and all that; but
he cares about those Of the girl he loves,
and intends one day to make his wife.
Rccollect that I've position to make;
and if I can't pay my way, where am II"
my dear Pussy" pleaded the barrister,
"only listen-"
"Dont call me Pussy. I don't want any
pet names now. My name is Nicholson
Nellie Nicholson; and you'll oblige me by
putting Miss before it when you address
me-"
"Well, then," said the young man, half
amused. half vexed, ITO prove to you, my
dear Miss Nicholson, that never forget
you when absent, will you accept this
bracelet, which you admired so much in
the Palais Royal last weekf"
"Miss Nicholson, without raising herself,
extended her lovely arm and hand to re-
ceive the .casket, opened it with the most
Indifferent air imaginable, looked at its
contents, yawned and said, "Ah!'
at fka r;rhf o,,o2v ooil Mol onrinra-
ly. ~
"Oh, yes; it is the came. Only it looked
twenty times prettier in the shop-window
than it does now"
"I'm in ill-luck this evening"" said the
barrister, discouraged. "Nothing I say
or do seems to please you."
"And why, pray7"
ain the first place, it's very plain that
you don't like the bracklet."
"But indeed do; it's n perfect love Of
thing, and just makes up the Dozen"
at was now Noel's turn to say. "Ah!"
AS she made no reply, but simply gazed
in dreamy sort Of way before her, rs
though she were looking into tn dis
tance, he added, "Well. ] must say 'u've
queer sort Of manner in expressing your
satisfaction
luat idSS 4fNc yOu Siicu
the lady. "Never satisfied unless you gee
us ull ablaze with love and 4" .titude!
You bring me q present-pretty and SIM
pie enough in its way-and you expect
me to pay you back in ready money"
"Oh, Pussy!' said the barrister, much
hurt.
"Yes, in ready money. don't mean in
pounds. shillings and pence, of course not.
I'm not 40 mean as that-hut I mean in
the ready money Of thanks. According
to your views on the subject, ought to
fill the whole house with cries Of thanks
and Joy, whilst clasp your knees and
Gull you my 'hen-factor, my only fricnd"'
Cool US he was on ordinary occasions. it
was very evident that Noel was extremely
ilritated now, und his irritation seemed to
delight the charming Nelly beyond all
expression.
"Are not my simple thanks sufficient"
she went on. "Shall call in jeanette to
admire this wonderful braceletl"
Noel made no reply. He, kept his eyes
persistently fixed OH the ground.
But Nellie was determined to tease and
torment him.
aOh, l forgot" Jeanncttc's nobody
only my maid! One of as, you know.
Her thanks would 20 for nothing. Per-
haps yon'd prefer my sending down for
the porter2"
The young man shrugged his shoulders,
like philosopher who thinks it beneath
him to notice the playfulness of kitten,
or the wanton gambols Of L King Charles
spaniel in its puphood.
"Why do you worry your little head"
he said, appealingly, "in trying to irritste
met It hasn't the Slightest effect. assure
you. If you have any selious grldgs
against ME, tell it me simply, and in III
few words as possible, and if l can reme-
dy or remove any painful impression
from your mind, will do 40 at once"
Lets be serious, then" said Nellie. u
want plain answer 10 n plain question
Why didn't you bring me the three humid
red pounds for which I was so pressed r
"Because I had important business, and
couldn't come"
sand you couldn't have sent themf"
she asked.
HIf did not send or bring them, it was