The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-07-07
A Precious Little Liar.
"It is impossible, then?" he.
n.Ia .onnshlo y nhn

q l. 1CO1OpS H4ooAO "A"As
"It is impossible, then?" he.
"Quite impossible" she.
Il cannot see why" viciously gnaw-
ing his muslache, a discontented light
in the handsome gray eyes that are not
wont to see anything dlsagreeable.
Perhaps not" with irritating com
posure; but that does not alter the
case in the least, you know"
"You have no pupils at that hour?
Your time is your own in the evening,
[ believer"
"Shall / tell you why I cannot go?'
she asks, desperately, at last suddenly
raising her eyes to his with a quick
flash Of light that is almost dazzling in
its brightness.
eyes, if you can," skeptically.
"Oh, can! have reason-a most
prosaic, practical, matter-of- fact reason.
It is because I have nothing to wear!"
boldly, but nevertheless flushing hotIy
at the humiliating confession, and the
next instant adding rapidly, as if it
were an aiter-thought or some sudden
inspiration: THAT is, l left my trunk
in Bridgeport. You know I was not
sure Of giving satisfaction here, and
thought it as well not to bring the trunk
at first" 49,
''And is that your very good reason?"
he laughs, carelessly; and then with
one full, comprehensive glance, he takes
in the slight erect figure from the waves
and puffs OF the high coiffure to the
graceful sweep Of the "princess " train,
and is evidently well pleased with the
result of the inspection; for, although
the dress is of the cheapest, cut and
fashioned by the girls own deft fingers,
there is naught to offend the most ex-
acting taste or that would not please
even an artists eve.
"Nothing to wear" he repeats, softly.
"Well, don't know Of any woman
who can so well afford to set at defiance
all outward adjoining, who can so safely
dare to dispense with the aid Of fine
dressing and rely solely on her own in
trinsic worth"
She hushes again-oh, if that rebel
lious color were only under the same
commendable control as voice and eyes
but ignores altogether the passionate
tenderness of his tone and glance as she
ruthlessly returned to practical point
of conversation.
ssIt is very kind and consoling for
you to make the best Of it in that fash
ion, Mr.. Courtland; but you know,
and know, that it would never do for
me to attend an affair as imposing as
the reception in question is to be, unless
could dress to suit the occasion.
Therefore must submit as best I may
to the rulings of an unkind and exora-
BILE fate"
"And I, I suppose. must profit by the
lesson you teach and submit also; for
neither would it do for me to absent
myself from an only sisters wedding re.
ception even though the one thing is
missing, the lack of which will render
all else fiat, stale and Improbable,
and all because you were needless
enough to leave your trunk"
A little while later he takes his leave,
mounts the handsome chestnut await
ing him, and gallops at q rapid rate
down the broad, country road, raising a
cloud of fine, white dust as he goes, and
finally disappearing altogether from the
wistful, longing eyes that are strainlEg
themselves for last look.
And when she can see him no more,
not even a vestige of the white cloud,
she turns her eyes inward and reviews
,ler own heart; and now there comes
over the young face frightened, almost
pitiful expression at she realizes how
utterly this young god is enshrined there
also.
"What shall l do, what shall do?'
she murmurs, half-aloud, and actually
wrings her hands as ifin agony. But,
with q sudden return to ber usual, well
regulated self, "there is but one thing
to do, and that is to fight it out bravely
as I have fought out a great many Other
hard things" And then laughing
aloud: THAT was lucky though
about the trunk, and rather bolC
stroke. too. Heigho! I wonder if thu
recording angel will hold me responsible
for all these miserable subterfuges tina
this execrable, genteel poverty forces
me into? | guess nanny would shake
her blessed old head reprehensi5ly ove1
my harmless little fibs; but, oh
mamsee, dear, how "as / to acknowl
edge to Philip Courtland that I wa
pu poor?-actually could not afford .
dress in honor of his sisters weddin!
reception? He might have known-i
he had had the least consideration O.
common sense-he might have know
the truth, and yet how should he know
either-he who has only Travelled, smil
ing, fortunes high road, how should b
be familiar with poverty's dark an
devious by-ways?"
The next morning finds Miss Adair a
her usual post, diligently bending owe
he piano, guiding Natalie's awkwaI
little fingers over the ivory keys
laudably, however vainly, endeavorin
20 instill some musical enthusiasm int
the willing yet totally unresponsive Iii
tlesoul.
Much to Natalie's relief and Mis-
Adair's annoyance, the door opens an
the Lesson is interrupted by the entrane
"You are wanted in the hall mt
ment, Miss Cecil; there is a trunk ft
you.''
"A trunk for me, Maggie?-imposs
BILE! ordered no trunk. Tell the ma
there is some mistake" ;"iand she relen
lessly resumes the lesson. mo, Nat
lie, It is three quarters time; accent G
first and third beats; do you not III
derstand?"
But Natalie's good angel is on tt
<aui vive to-day, and does not mean
be thwarted. The door opens agai
and it is the landlady-Natalie's moth
who appears now.
Indeed, Cecil, the trunk is for yo
The man will hear to nothing else, ar
your name is on it in full. Come
once and see if it is really yours, for n
:airiosity is thoroughly aroused. Ye
Natalie, you may go. Miss Cecil W!
inish your lesson another time"
Inc child waits no second biddin
,ut gladly slips from the stool, al
3soil, oewiidered look on her fas