The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-10-10
. n ILLUSION

- If Lefebvre's two sisters and his aunts
had not treatd the whole thing so su-
perciliously, and his cousin Laura, in
3 spite of her generous behavior, had not
: every new and then looked large-eyed
/. disapproval, very lively it would have
come to nothing long before. But of
course thoseswomen, and host Of other
female relations, were not going to be
wiser than he Lucian Lefebvre, captain
= of the engineers and colonel by brevet,
stationed at the capital, and guardian of
the nations citadel-daucing duty, Bell
called it.
introduced to that doll ~ said Bell,
when he came up to them, at the Sec
retary's, proposing the introduction.
Bell was the married sister Helen was
unmarried, and little passee, but a
person of dignity. "Why, does she
talk ?''
'".Qnite pretty piece of mechanism, !"
said his aunt. Every well put to-
gether."
Lefebvre looked at them in amaze
ment and Indignation. "Really," said
he, "it is, wonderful what women are
made Of"
"Not this one, said Helen, deliber-
ately putting up her glass. "She is
false from the crown OF her head to the
sole of her foot How can you be SO
taken in ?. don't know what you are
made Of Lucian, to think of introducing
such creature to your sisters, nor how
she. made her way here"
He was just turning on his heel in
speechless anger, but remembering he
had left the side of the lady in dispute
for the avowed purpose of rcc;nging his
sisters to her, he exclaimed: "Whos-
ever she is, some of You must come v v!th
me and be presented to her, as ar here
for that purpose, and I will not have her
insulted."
"Indeed!" said Helen, looking over
the top of her fan iuto infinite space, but
not stirring.
"I will 60, Lucian," said Laura, who
had not spoken. "Come, Bell, help
me ont"
"Well, Laura, for a little goose
However I will never desert companion
in arms. Do you suppose she has OBJ
served our council of war ?" as they
moved off beside Lucian, with his chin
we'll in the air. "Shc is a fine picture.
A person should 60 on the stage that
can make up as well as that. I should
like to see her in the privacy of her mid
night retirement. How old should you
think? Forty?s
"Forty p cried Lucian. "I heard
her myself arranging for picnic on her
twenty-third birthday"
How touchingl In the life to come.
Her twenty-third! She'll never see her
forty. third again in this life."
"Bell p
"Oh yes, Luciau; if you choose to
force unwelcome acquaintance on your
family, at least they must enjoy freedom
of opinion concerning it. The very set
the woman is with speaks for her. Good
evening, general. What crush! All
because of this young Russian hero-a
beauty, isn't he ? All, you too are making
Z. for the cynosure, see; all the world is
being presented. twill never DO not to
follow the fashion,"
And directly Lucian was presenting
his sister, Mrs. Carrier, and his cousin,
Miss Laura Nelson; and Miss Nelson
had behaved exactly as Lucian wished;
and although he could never have said
what was wanting in Mrs. Garnier's be-
havior, he knew that a challenge of de-
fiance was in her very mir, and that her
mere manner had told the other woman
what she thought of her. Perhaps Bell
presumed that that was the way to
manage him. He would shortly let her
know.
Colonel Lefebvre came Gathering down
stairs next morning, his horse waiting at
tie door.
Whittier bound, Lucian? ?" cried
Helen, from the library.
: "To ride with Mrs. De Berrian."
= =, "Oh, your new widow" she snil
gayly. "Have you called yet2 No:
How very accommodating in her to ride
with you first p
= "She is not a punctilious fool, he
muttered, drawing on his glove.
Seer ain punctilios," put in Aun
Susan, care only self-respect."
eff you will 60 and call with me
Nell," SAID Lucian, GIVE no doubt she
will postpone the ride"
CHOW, Lucian dear, you know L hate
not to crafty you," said Helen. But
really the last thing Bell said was that il
would not do. She should not call, nor
could I, if for nothing else, for little
Laura's,sake, who is too young and limo
cent to have anything TO do"
"Just rs you please" he said, angrily
and had slammed the door behind him.
You can imagine his surprise when, as
he reined his horse up at the steps of the
house where Mrs. De Berrian was visit.
ing, lie saw his cousin Laura coming
down with Mrs. Vaughn, a leader of the
fashions, with whom she sometimes went
out; for Laura was an heiress, and but
little gainsaid in her wishes.
81 thought you would like to have
me" Laura said, timidly looking up with
her brown eyes, as he dismounted. She
never did have any spirit.
"It is just like you, Laura" he said
fervently.
"I-I don't think you will admire her
SO much by daylight" she said, again
timidly; and he had laughed and handed
her into the carriage and disappeared
before she knew she had ventured to say
80 much