The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-08-18
TIE CoLoNEl'S SECOND WIFE.

} THE CoLoNEL'S SECOND WIFE.
sWhatI her dowrey ten thousand, and
her age under eighteen! You are a lucky
DOG, Hewett! Of course it's love-
suatcha" ,-..
= I: :fatter myself, yes, on the lady's part
AZ deast :" and the speaker, tall, rather
handsome man drew himself up supercil-
I sousIy athough, in fact, it isya family or
sangement.' 1..--
-Ho# is that?'
aWhy, you see, Colonel Harding was my
father, General Hcwetts greatest chuin.
When dying, he left NE and my future to
theforlner's guardianship; trust he saw no
better nor moro friendly way OF carrying
out than by an engagement between my
seH and his daughter Kate-the sole in
heritor of rich aunt's wealth"
"so:ne people fall into pleasant Places
certainly. When is it to boz
ain month. fancy, since the Colonel
has been such doard as to take home
a second wife, he would rather have his
daughters room than her company"
Possibly. Duced pretty woman Mrs
Harding-eh7 Very sparkling, self
rilled, and fast, I'm sure, will want
tight curb. but will pull hard. I imagine
tho Colonel will have his hands full and
need to keep his eyes open. They have been
married year. and within the last month
have noted he is preoocupicd, while two
wrinkles have appeard on his forehead
When will these old fellows," laughed his
friend, take the lessons Pope hos so graph
cally read us-Decembcr must not wed
May p Ia, ta! Remember I'm booked for
the Benedict ceremony"
The two gentlemen between whom the
above conversation passed on tho steps of a
West End club now partcd-the one ad-
dressed as Hcwett, known among his less
familiars as Captain Hcwett, proceeding to
90 By train to Colonel Harding's villa, at
Richmond.
Arriving there, in due course, he was
speedily introduced TO Mr.. and Mrs. Hard
ing; after exchanging greetings with
whom, he was summoned to see the Colonel
in the library. Tho ladies were surprised
at the haste displayed, and could not re.
frain from renarking on the subject.
"Whatever is that for ?" Kate remarked.
VIXEN the officer had gone.
"To sign your marriage-settlemcnt,'
smiled Mrs. Harding.
Nonsense By the way, mamma, dc
you not think papa has looked altered
lately?"
"For many days have seen it, Kate.
fear something is wrong"
."Then fancy he might conide it to you
instead of the Captain"
'"Tlue!' Mrs Harding's lips percepti'
bly, contracted; then she added-"Kate,
forgot to tell my maid about the trimmings
for my dress next Friday. Would you
mind doing SOP"
Rising, the young girl readily went on
her mission, when the others entire man.
ner changed. Her expression became
grave, perple1ed. She cast aside hel
work and leaned her head upon her hand
"can my husband possibly suspect p
she murmured. There is change in
him Kate sees it, too !! Then there must
be cause! Can he have found US out I
II so, everything is ruined-ruined She
paused; then added-"I must be certain
Twill"
Hurriedly throwing shawl Of Kate's
that had laid on sofa near, shout her, size
passed threught the open glass doors into
the fower-garden.
Going to the side Of the villa cautiously
che crept through shrubbery Of ilacs
and syringas, until she came within sight
and hearing Of the two in the library, the
window Of which was open.
Charles Hcwctt was leaning back in a
chair; the Colonel. e handsome, elderly,
niltary-looking man. sat By the table,
his brows contracted. his features expressive
Of pain and ange, blended. He had evi-
dently been speaking vehemently, and OK
claimed, as the listener came within range
III wouldn't have believed it Of her
Of all women, would have staked my life
on the fidelity q Constance When you
hinted that you had seen fellow suspi-
ciously lcunging about the villa, thought
nothing about it but Jackson, the under
gardener, declares that it is true"
The listener became ivid with rage.
Her suspicious were we'll founded.
what do you intend doingT asked
Captain Hewett.
THAT is my perple1ity. To accuse her
on tho word OK al under gardener seems
preposterous and the Colonel uneasily
tlrummed the table with his dngers.
"Something must be DONE" hs said. "or
l shall g. mad. can't support tnls .eE!I'
bic suspicion, for-I don't isind confessing
it to you, George. who SO soon viii bs my
SOM love Constance dsvobedly. What
WAS that7 Why, the window is open.
Shut it; We want no eavesdroppers."
Captain Hewett complied. but. before
closing it, leaned forth and looked around.
The Colonel's wife had flown.
"H my fne lady would only commits her
self" be thought. "Kate viii inherit the
Coloners wealth. 1t Is nothing" he said
eioud, resuming his seat
Trembling at her narrow escape, Mrs
Harding hastened from the shrubbery.
Just as she emerged, she ran violently
against q man.
Robert! Tell mo. what aye ycu doing
here ?"