The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-09-15
could not find some one to suit her.

always pity old maids. and treat then
as kindly and respectfully as possible
But as to my marrying Miss Deborah
Pshaw! Wat. say no more about IT,"
"Very well, if you won't be per
suaded; but you have no idea nov
much you lose by it. Why, Aunt Debb.
is the richest single lady that / know
and possesses, besides her funded prop
erty, one of the finest estates in tn
country, with q separate farm, and
charming little shooting and fshing-box
which in the fall she places at the dis
posal of her male relatives Why
hellow-Wat gave IN Indian whoop
which startled his frierd-"I wonder
did not think of it before! Now, sup
pose, Rives, you 60 down to Elmwoot
my aunt's place-and take up YOU
abode in the huntingdon until l come
which will be in about two weeksP"
"Why, Wat, you are craZym
"Not a bit of it. Aunt Debby i!
always pleased to have the cottage oc.
cupied. She says it keeps it from
molding, and I know that it is not en-
gagged this fall. I'll write to her at once
and say that I want it for IN invalid
friend, and she'll be delighted. What
better could you do. since it must be six
weeks at least, before TyrrelI's party
sets out for the Westp You can take
your servant down with you-that de-
voted fellow. who is 80 clever at cook.
ing-if he will follow you"
"Cicero? Yes, he will follow me
anywhere; and I confess, Wat, I should
enjoy it, if I were sure it would not in
commode your good aunt. / would not
for the world intrude upon her."
ooh. never fear! The cottage is in
the midst of a wood, by the river side,
and nearly q mile from the house, and
quite out of sight. I'll write this very
hour, and meantime you give up your
boarding house, and come and share my
rooms with me; and SO it is all ar
ranged" concluded the young man, glee-
fully rubbing his hands.
His confidence in his aunt was not
misplaced. In two days he received
from that estimable lady a reply to his
letter, placing the cottage at his friends
disposal, and adding that though she
was herself at this time absent from
home on o brief visit to q sick friend,
she had written to her ho~usekeeper to
air and prepare the cottage, and supply
it with q few additional conveniences,
suitable to an invalid.
And So, all objections being removed,
Philip Rives went down to Elmwood
accompanied by his friend Vaughan, to
show him the way and put him in pos
session.
TWAS q charming little rustic cottage,
with a great stone chimney and portico,
covered with poisoning creepers. A
little lawn sloped to the narrow river,
famous for its fish; and the wood was
80 neal that its deep green shadows fell
across it at MONDAY. Within it was
simply and prettily furnished, and thor
oughly comfortable.
Vaughan showed his friend the CHM
neys and gables of his aunt's mansion
at a distance-the woodland interven-
ing.
ct am glad we are no nearer" Rives
said. I'm my present state of mind and
body I hardly feel as though l could do
the agreeable to your good aunt"
"AI right! BY the time that l reap
pear you will be your fascinating self
again, and then I'll Introduce you to
aunty," said Wat.
And he went back to the city that
evening.
Afew days thereafter Rives, strolling
about the wood, found himself nearer
the mansion than he had supposed. Re-
Numbering that Miss Deborah Vaughan
was from home, he ventured nearer for
q better view of the fine old house and
grounds; but to his surprise he saw q
handsomely dressed lady, past middle
age, and very tall and dignified, cutting
roses on a terrace and dropping them
into 8 basket carried by q young Lady
in q plain gray dress and garden hat.
$50 Miss Deborah has returned
home" he thought, as he rather hastily
withdrew out of the range Of her vision,
land brought some companion or poor
relation with her. A gay life she must
lead here, poor thing"
On the day following he made an ex-
cursion to the neighboring village for
the purchase of fshing.rods. In return
ing. he saw q young lady approaching
on horseback-the same whom he had
seenon the previous evening, he was
sure; and at the same time an old gen.
tleman passed him on a sober-looking
horse. The two met a short distance in
front of him. He could not avoid hear
ing their words as he passed.:
Il am glad to see you looking 50
well, Miss Agnes. And how is my good
friend, your Aunt Deborah?"
The girl replied in a voice 90 sweet
that Rives involuntarily turned to look
at her. And he turned again after
going a short distance to see her gallop-
ing down the road, and to admire Der
fine form and the easy, graceful carriage
which, to his experienced eye, bespoke
the perfect horsewoman. =,
II should enjoy riding with 3 girl
like that" he thought. IF only I had
Chevalier here! l dare say she would
not object to an escort, considering her
secluded life. Wonder if she's depend
emit on the old ladyp I'll write to Wa
and ask who she is"
He found himself thinking of her
more than once that evening.
"She isn't exactly pretty-but what
m interesting face; and what a sweet
voice She has! Wonder if she sings
Plainly dressed; should think Miss
Debby might bestow upon her some Of
her own inery. Afraid she has a hard
time of it with that stiff old lady.
When Wat comes I'll get acquainted,
and try to make it as agreeable for her
as I can, poor grill"
The acquaintance was nearer than he
thought. Sitting one evening on a rustic
bench, considerably without the do.
mains of his tishing-box, he heard q
light step near, and looked up from his
book to see Miss Agnes" appear from
behind a clump OF laurel, and pause i'm
mediately in front OF him with a look o.
startled surprise.
pardon me" Philip fastened to say,
as he arose. II am exceedingly sorry ]
have intruded. And, to relieve your
apprehension. allow me to explain tha'
[ am Philip Rives. at preeent, by Mis-:
Vaughan's kindness, IN occupant of the
fishing cottage below"
The young lady blushed a little, ane
smiled.
az thought as much when, after tn,
first glance, I saw that you were not
tramp" she said. "Of course I hav,
heard my aunt speak of Mr.. Walter
Vaughan's invalid friend. I hope you
health is improving in your country re
treat"
He answered that he felt much better
and that he took considerable exercise
had in fact to-day fatigued himself will
walking, and hence his trespass upon
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