The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-05-16

said that she wanted to leave her to 20 Il
you and Aunt Maria when your eldes
children were.born, even out to India"
"My eldest children! what do you
mean? Oh! by.the-bye, yes; they art
dead"
dead my Cousln George dead?"
"Yes, yes, my dear"
"Poor little Addie! was it true thai
George never got over her loss?"
"Don'tp said Uncle George, abruptly
and he held up newspaper upside down.
Edith touched his arm very gently.
II am 80 sorry: Uncle George" she
said, sweetly. "ff had known that you
had lost them both, I would not have SAID
anything; please forgive me. And pool
Aunt Maria, too! Oh, I beg your pardon.
Uncle George threw down his paper and
looked smilingly at her.
"Does your mamma ever speak OF meT
"Constantly, perpetually;" said Edith
her voice still little choked.
"And what does she say of me"
"She says that you are the dearest, kind
est, warmest hearted, most sweet disposition
ed old gentleman existing; she says you
have been a gallant officer, and loyal
true hearted soldier." Edith's eyes kindled
"And have heard how you distinguished
yourself in India, and IL am very glad to
see you, Uncle George"
eyes, yes, he is all that" said he, with
enthusiasm.
"What? who?" asked Edith, confused
"My father---I---I---I mean my son."
"Poor George! he was most distin'
guished soldier also. wish had known
him. No, Uncle George, l won't speak 80
l do not wish to pain you"
II like to near all you tell me about
him, my dear"
II have only heard how good sold sr be
was, and that he was so handsome and SO
good"
"And had he faults and defectsP
Edith looked surprised.
"I used to hear that he was conceited.'
"No, no." said Uncle George, hastily;
"never was that. He was proud, grant
---perhaps too proud---but never conceited.' u
"Poor George!" sighed Edith; ~ had SO
looked forward to know him."
"Had you, really?"
"Yes; I never had companion Of my
own age. Do tell ME, shall I like my
cousins at Hatton"
~ think so, some of them; do you mean
Uncle Johns daughters or his step-ch2-
drenW
"Both."
az think you will like Mary, tolerate
Susan, abhor Agatha, admire Jane, and
adore Alice"
"Alice is the adorable one, is she?" said
Edith, laughing; and is she the one they
say is SO pretty?'
"Oh, no; poor Alice is deformed, and can
never leave the sofa; but she has the sweet
ness of an angel ana the courage of a
martyr: she ia not in the least pretty"
"Oh, what trial always on the sofa p
"What a sweet little thing this is l'
thought Uncle George, but he said nothing.
GLOW comes it that you know none Of
your cousins?" said he, suddenly.
"Why do you want me to tell you what
you know so much better than do, Uncle
George?"
"Yes, yes, of course; but naturally I
want to know your side OF the story. Have
you never been at Hatton?"
"Never; and thought it 80 very kind of
you to induce Uncle John to persuade
mamma to let me Co."
"Yes; l thought, you know, that few
companions OF your own age would do you
good. How old are you? P"
"Did you not get mammals letter in
which she told you that l was to be eight
cen to. morrow%
"No; it must have come late. I never
heard of it."
"How very unfortunate! Then no one
will know am coming. She asked you to
tell Uncle John about the train and things"
"Ah, ah that letter! oh, Of coIrae, that
is all right. I don't---1--1 sometimes don't
read letters through"
Edith laughed.
81 hope l shall see great deal Of you,
Uncle George, for know how fond shall
he of you, for my mother loves you so
dearly"
at is very kind OF her."
"And do you know, since we came to