The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-20
A HERO.

"John Dutton What commonplace
name. I'm sure he can't be bit good
looking" and Marion Hampton looked
up inspiringly at her uncle as she
spoke.
"Well, bless my soul, Marion; of
what romantic turn of mind you are to
be sure" cried old Uncle James, with
humorous twinkle in his eye. 81 think
John is good strong name; in fact one
of the best names that can be found; and
as for John Dutton's looks, well, he is a
quiet, unpretending Young mani
ooh, 1 know 1 shall not like him.
You have already as good as told me that
he is but one remove from saint. lido
detest your quiet, sanity men; there y
"My dear, don't be angry over it, "
said Uncle James, quietly. If you do
not like John Dutton there will be no
harm done. l know his name is not so
fanciful as Spence Arnott's, neither has
he so large share Of his santanlc maJes-
ty in his composition as that young gen.
tleman; but what's the use of talking?
You have woman's idea, Marion. A
man to make any headway with your sex
must have sprinkGng of satan running
pretty thickly through his composition. J"
"Uncle, I think it is shame for you
to speak disparagingly of Spence Ar
mott" cried Marion, with an indignant
toss of her head.
"Don't flare up 80, child; I didn't
mean to speak i'll Of Spence. He is a
careless, fun.loving young man; that's
all that can be said against him; but.
my dear, 1 will say that he isn't to be
compared to John Dutton, as you may
learn some day."
81 shall never think any man better
than Spence Arnott. Everybody has
their likes and dislikes, uncle. I like
Spence"
"And you have made up your mind to
dislikeJohn Dutton?' interrupted uncle
James.
Marion made no reply. Spoiled child
that she was, she was ashamed to &C
knowledge that her uncle hut the truth.
She had determined to dislike John
Dutton.
"Who was that talking to you at the
gate, Marion? Looked like preacher. "
"Hush, Spence, he may hear you.
That is John Dutton."
go, the young gentleman I've heard
your uncle speak so often about. He
interests me more than I thought he
would, but l." detest him for all that,
Marion was going to say, but Spence in
terrupted her with: 81 should say he
did interest you You seem to be on
very friendly terms for such a short ac-
auaintance, said Spence, slight frown
showing itself on his fair, handsome
| face.
Marion's heart bounded with delight,
Here was chance to torment Spence as
he had tormented her all the week, and
she said
"Not on any more friendly terms than
what you've been with Clara Mawbray,
tor the past week or two"
Spence looked down at the pretty, pi'
1uant face. He often confessed to him
self that he did not like to tease Marion
As Uncle James said, he was careless,
fun-loving: he said and did great
| many things he was sorry for; but IN
regard to this last accusation of Marion's,
he was innocent. If he had shown any
unusual attention to Clara Mawbray, it
| was uniutentional on his part. Whether
| it was that he was Innocent Of Marlon' s
charge, or that her appearance OF undue
friendliness to this favorite of Uncle
James annoyed Spence, we cannot say.
But he wos annoyed more than he would
care to confess, for under his careless
exterior lay vast depth OF love fol
Marion.
"You have no grounds for making
that assertion, Marion" said Spence
with more Indignation in his voice than
he had ever used to Maron.
Marion tossed her head, thought she
had good ground for her assertions, ano
stood upon them SO firmly, that Spence
left her in a fit of pique.
Marion watched his tall, manly form
disappear down the road. What
kingly fellow Spence was Never be
fore did she take notice of the width o
his shoulders, or the manner in which
he carried his head, so thickly covered
with tawny, curling locks. How foolisi
she was to quarrel with Spence; ant
Marion's heart rose in her throat, ant
her eyes filled with tears. Was ever
hero in a novel handsomer than be
and to quarrel with him for that plain
matter. f-fact John Dutton.
Perhaps it was John buttons tall
lank, misshapen form appearing upo'
the lawn, that revealed Spence's fin
proportions so vividly to Marion. Snrel
one could never make hero out of him
And to think that she had quarreled wit
Spence on his account. She would neve
speak to the horrid man again; and
was not enough for Marion to think thi'
but she sought Uncle James, and told
to him with stamp of her foot and
toss of her head, and Uncle James said
"My dear you are altogether too r
mantle. (which was The truth for tt
old gentleman.
Marion tried her best to dislike job
Dutton, but she was interested in hi
in spite Of herself. There wes som
thing IN the sass's nature that she con