The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-01-15

His boyhood taking part!
CLARA'S ROMANCE.
CHAPTER I.
On such a sunny morning in the
heart of golden October, the run from
Jersey 20 Guernsey in the good steamer
Southampton would Lave been the
height of enjoyment to all on board,
bad sailors and good, if wind and tide
had not proved so perverse. AS i. hap.
pened, there were many immoyable oc-
cupants of the canopied seats on the
uuarter-Geck, and the ladies' cabin did
not lack tenants. Amongst the latter
were Clara and Amy Chadwick. TO
them, poor things, the briefest sea-voy-
age, no matter how gracious the wealth
or, or how bland ard agreeable wind
and tide, was period of unqualified
misery. Not 80 to their lively cousin,
Isabel Shelton. She loved the sea in
all its moods, and verify the sea SEEM
ed to love her. Since they left Jersey
she has not set eyes on her cousins.
They descended into the cabin as the
boat steamed out of the harbor, leaving
her to her own devices. She has not for
saken the bridge from the moment the
barrier was removed; and now, as the
Southampton nears st. Peters Port, she
is almost sorry the voyage is about to
terminate, albeit they are an hour be-
yond the average duration of the run.
This is day in her delightful holi-
day. The father OF her cousins-excel-
lent uncle Philip-invited her to ac-
company him and the girls on their
tour through the north of France" I"
They have left him at st. Malo. On
parting with them, he said,
eel have business which will detain
me in this neighborhood for couple
of days, 30 you had better 90 on with
out me, especially as that party at
Cornthwaite's is young folks affair,
and I should only be in the way. OF
course I shall spend an evening with
him in Guernsey as I return, to. talk
over old times; but you get Oh. Isabel
will take care of you"
His continual Difference to his niece
as q person more to be relied on than
his own daughters gives anything but
pleasure to them. She is their junior.
Her experience is inferior in all respects
to theirs. She has seen less society,
has tasted less life. They, however,
are too much in awe of their father to
openly manifest any objection to his
views; and consequently, when Clara
and Amy do "show temper to their
cousin, it is on occasions when the field
is literally their own. They are fine,
snowy girls; but she is pretty, and Gas
sweet as English air can make her."
Hers has been the robust training of
farmers daughter; theirs, that of the
spoilt darlings of a wealthy merchant
prince. They have been invited
to break their voyage at Guernsey, in
order to take part III an evening at the
house Of their fathers retired friend,
Stephen Cornthwaite. The programme
embraces dinner, carpet-dance, and
charades. The Misses Chadwick are
bent on conquest, and, like the un-
comely elder sisters in the story of Gin
derellc, have disclosed their Intentions
to Isabel. She knows intuitively that
she owes her invitation solely to the
kind consideration of her uncle Philip.
If they had had their will she would
have been condemned to spend ner even
ing at the hotel which is their present
temporary destination.
The passengers have been bauished
from the bridge, and are grouped upon
the quarterback, gazing with interest
on the picturesque town of st. Peters
Port, rising precipitously roof upon
roof from the back of the extensive har-
bors to the topmost heights beyond.
Those persons bound for Guernsey, who
are sufficiently themselves to undertake
the task, are picking out their luggage
from the pile that has been placed ready
for landing, and are, laden with umbrel-
Las, bouquets OF flowers and handbags,
otherwise preparing to step ashore. The
Misses Chadwick have not yet emerged
from the cabin. Miss Shelton, every
feature of her bright face betraying the
keenness of her enjoyment, has no
thought for her baggage. Besides
"You are certain I cannot be Of any
service to you?'
The voice is that OF a tall, handsome
young fellow of about five. and-twenty,
who has shown her good deal of deli
cate attention during the voyage. he
had found her camp-stool and rug, and
had "packed her up" under a part OF
the paddle-box, where she was snugly
protected from the showers of spray
that dashed over the bridge. She, on
the other hand, had shown no little in
terest in the contents of his sketch
book.
"Tbank you very much, my cousins
and myself are expected, and we are
only going to the hotel"
"day IT, he began, and then, ap-
pearing to recollect himself, he added,
"Do you remain long in Guernsey"
"That depends entirely on my uncle, y
replied Isabel, ingenuously. "He will
follow US from st. Malo the day afte,
tomorrow.
"Then must wish you good morn
ing"
"You never were here before, lisa
bel? se:d Clara; "of course not. /
is drcadtully billy place, but thinl
you will like it. I do not profess *
understand such things; but those who
do, Lionel Grant, for example-why
look, ANY, there he is p and she ant
her sister ackno wledged, and affabl,
withal, the salute of a gentleman wht
was proceeding in the direction which
the carriage was taking. 1t was Isabel
oonpagnoa de voyage. As his smile, i
ut bis bow, was evidently directed a.
lash to her as to her cousin, she also
Jsctinea her head, blushing the while
this time the color of full blown rose
Why, Isabel, /" exclaimed Amy, i'd
{ you know himi How's that? He hs