The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-13
As she dressed for breakfast he was

Perhaps he did it on purpose" she
said. "Perhaps he didn't, but lost the
train. But he had no business to lose
the train," she added Grossly. "Per-
haps he was i'll l.; perhaps some women
had asked him to remain. Well, if 80,
don't care" she said. "He shall see
am happy enough, and not even piqued,
when he comes"
Still, as the day wore on, Madge found
the ladies of the company provoking and
the gentlemen mo Q uninteresting than
ever. Mechanically, towards evening,
she donned the same toilet as on the
night previous, and took a circuitous
route Through the garden, that none
might be cognizant of her movements.
Emerging out of sight, she struck straight
for the wood-path and here we find her
again listening for the roar of the train,
Notwithstanding all her angry VOWS OF the
night before.
Beautiful, cross, unreas enable girl!
81 will not go to the stile," she was
saying to herself, "and that will be a
disappointment to him."
She was somewhat unsettled, however,
for fear she might be in just the same
predicament as on the previous evening,
and have to return through the gloomy
wood alone. She had seven n-eighths OF a
mind to go straight back, even yet. But
she remainded after all. 80 perverse is
woman.
At last, with sudden screech, the
engine came steaming along. Miss
Barron began to trace figures on the
ground with her parasol, and put on q
most unexpectant air, her features sink
ing into repose and unconcern benign
enough to beft saint.
She saw Lyndhurst harrington de-
scend from the train and come striding
on ioyously till he came in sight OF the
stile; for, though hidden herself, she
could observe all his movements.
He came on eagerly, looking to the
right and left for her, and almost STUN
bled over Miss Barron.
"Oh, Madge !" he cried, as he threw
himself at her feet, 'you did forgive me,
and have come to meet me J"
"Forgive you, Mr.. Darlington 2
Nothing could be more icy cold. "Pray,
what has been your fault?" She looked.
as she spoke, straight before her, but
with all air of surprise which was ex-
ceedingly we'll counterfeited.
He looked up eagerly into her face as
he answered, Why, T was buttonholed
to death in town yesterday. 1t seemed
rs if a conspiracy had been enterefinto,
and that every fellow I knew had left
his summer haunt to 60 up to town to
detain me. transacted but half of my
business, and put off Jack Longley with
only nod on my way to the station. l
suppose he'll never speak to me again.
After all, was one minute too late. l
saw the train sweeping out of the sta
ton just as 1 reached it. I was in dis
pair, thinking you would come to meet
me"
81 did walk down last evening. but I
can hardly say, sir, that I came to meet
you. I did not expect you. thought,
if business or illness kept You, you
might be gone week. I never thought
of you as hobnobbing with your male
friends and sauntering to the station"
"Madge" and a serious look came
into his face. "Let us drop pickering,
and begin where we left off yesterday"
every well," she replied. II be-
lieve the point at which you left off was
whistling, and I was doing nothing in
particular, 80 if you will strike off
stave of anything, will demurely, but
admiringl,, walk by your side"
"Madgel' he exclaimed e1citedly.
"I did no such thing. Do men gaze at
statuary or paintings and whistle?
Faith, my last remembrance is of pref.
tier picture than an art-room ever held.
T. saw beautiful woman, looking regret
at my leaving-a woman I want for my
wife"
Here was poser Proposed to 1t
came like sweet surprise, nevertheless
But it was contrary to Miss Barron's
tactics. Were weeks of delightful Airt-
ing to be cut off in moment in this
fashion? How could he have believed
her in earnest? It was ridiculous. She
had meant to play the injured mistress
for several days, and make him abiect in
his efforts to reinstate himself with her.
She did not want climax reached with
this man. Her heart had told her that
it would leave a regret which she had
never known before. To avoid this now,
she would begin with raillery.
"Really, Mr.. Barrington," she said,
"you must be hungry or over.tired, to
make such a statement. A Widespread
table, steaming viands, 'mfort and a
wife, must have shot through your brain.
can assure youa delightful supper now
awaits you"
Miss Barron" he began, frowning,
without apparent notice of her words,
and rising to his feet, "three weeks ago
I did not know you; but in that time all
my life now seems to have become
crowded. I never stopped to question
your actions. 1t seemed as if there was
no need of asking for VOWS, they would
denote a commencement of love. /
wanted it to be as if we had loved for
ever"
every well, she said, let it be 80;
no VOWS, no commencement. You see
agree with you perfectly"
"No, will not have it 80, he cried,
trying to take her hand.
GAS you please, she laug he'd, shrug-
ging her shoulders. 81 can pick my
way through this bog without help"