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

A merry eroquet party was gathcr.
ed upon the lawn, which stretched
away to the lake, on bright sum-
mer morning in the year 18-. Tiny
feet peeped from beneath tasteful
costumes, and coquetish hats were
set jauntily above curls, braids and
coils, which crowned the hoads OF
some of the prettiest girls that had
ever summered at the Lake House.
The gentlemen were no less. becom-
ingly attired in light summer suits,
with sailor hats, or the ever becoming
Panama.
Happy laughs rang out loud and
clear as some point was gained or
lost, Inez Granger's laugh over above
the rest, silvery and sweet.
"One moro point, and Inez has
won," cried Belle Chester, bright
little brunette, leaning forward grace
fully upon the handle of her mallet,
to watch Guy Tracy, who had made
three successive failures, and, incredi.
Bile rs it may appear, still retained
his good nature. "Ah, there's no
chance for you, Mr.. Tracy, that is
evident !"
"Good graciousl" exclaimed Henry
Anthon, who had drawn a little apart
from the others, to persue the New
York papers that had come to him in
that mornings mail "Good graci.
Gus Jack Marvel is married !"
"What ?" interrogated bevy of
voices-and Inez Granger's was not
with them-"you don't mean it?-
Well, I never would have thought it !!
Who was the lady? Do we know
her ?" And the game was abandon
ed, while the inquisitive group crowd.
ed around tho young author, who
read:
"In this city, at the residence Of the
BRIDES uncle, by the Rev. VIM. T..
Clark, Florence &. Andrus, of Boston,
to Jack Marvel, of Baltimore. No
cards."
"Never heard of her beforel !" en-
claimed ono of the party.
"He has been mighty still about
it," said another.
II thought" said Guy Tracy, ten
derby caressing his whiskers, and
cycling Inez Granger quizzically, II
thought, if he married, it wonld be,
some one we all knew" ho corrected
himself as his sister gave an admo-
nitory tug at his sleeve. "Didn't you
all p
"How is that Miss Granger ?'asllod
Annie Willis. "You and Mr. Marvel
were such friends" with q satirica
emphasis on the last words that it
brought the hot blush to Incz's' fair
check, which had blanched percepti-
bly, at tho unexpected intelligence,
"Perhaps you will tell US all about
it,"
mo Miss Willis" answered lnez,
with q mastorly effort at sclfcontrol,
"Mr. Marvel's marriage is as sudden
and unexpected to me as to you"
Here, thanks to the kindly inter-
vcntion of Jenny Tracy, tho CONVEX
sation became general, and the attcn-
tion of the curious group diverted
from Inez, who stole away TO the
house at the earliest opportunity, to
enjoy q brief solitude and reflection
in her own room.
Some eighteen months before We
introduce the characters Of our story,
Annie Willis and Incz Granger had
been friends. Annie had known the
Marvel brothers some time, and had
made them all acquainted. She
praised Mordaunt with artful skill,
and made every effort to throw him
and Inez together, while she careful
ly guarded against any tete-a tctc
between her friend and Jack, fearing
rival, and afraid Of the bewitching
beauty and brilliant conversational
powers of Inez Granger. The young
er brother, Mordaunt, was very hand
some, but, like Benedict in the play,
he was not q marrying man and as
Miss Annie had no faith in tho joys
of single blesscdncss," she appropri-
atcd the elder Marvel, who was gene
rally regarded ION account of his
wealth. as q matrimonial bargain.
Annie Willis fears were destined
to be realized, and she saw, with
gnawing jealousy, Jacks preference
for Inez, and grew TO hate her rival,
never losing an opportunity to
wound her, and when the news of
Jacks marriage came, although it
brought sting with it, a feeling of
revenge made it easier 10 bear.
Inez Granger had been left mother
less at ten years of age, and her
father, whose disposition was ever
melancholy, became morose and 81
lent in this bereavement, stunning
all society save that of his child.
AS time passed On, and 1nez ma
tured into sweet W, manhood, she be-
camc the companion Of her father,
and he, in his sclishness, unmindful
of tho strain upon the youth and
spirits of his daughter, absorbed her
whole energy, debarring her from
the society Of young people with un-
paralleled thoughtlcssness.
Thomas Granger jcalously watch
ed the growth of friendship detwecn
his daughter and Jack Marvel, and
murmured not unfrequcntly against
the sad fate he saw in store for him
self with Incz married.
"I will never leave you, father"
she said, when his complainings had
been unusually bitter. Jack and !
are very good friends, it is true, but
no word of love has passed between
us.-nor shall it,"
"Thank you, thank you, my dear
child" exclaimed the father, glad