The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-05-12

had said. to his mOtner, before lle "eIi
out that afternoon. Il tell you l mus
have her answer-her favorable answer
too-before another twenty-four hour.
goes over my head, mother. Unless ,
get her for my wife, I'll shoot mysel
lust as sure as fate. I love herb!
George! I never cared so much tor any
thing or anybody before, and it's onl!
the memory of your cruel treatment O
her-the feeling that she thinks you
would not sanction IN engagement
that keeps US apart"
"You think that?" she said, trem
blingly-a little dismayedly.
"Iknow il" he answered, hotly. "Sh'
90 and tell her you want her for your
daughter"
And Mrs. Sylvester knew as sh'
looked upon her sons handsome, nag
gard face, that even if i: killed her lt
so humble herse1, she must do it to-
1T is awfully cruel of you" she said,
piteously, and he had interrupted her
firmly:
"You can take your choice-Thet
Vincent for your daughter, or-get along
w itheut mel" .%a.
"Harry!" =.
mean it. She won't refuse me, il
you ask her. By Jove! she is the only
woman in the world I shall ever ask
She shall accept me-" ...%
II think there is no danger OF her re
fusing such an offer," she said, a little
of the old scornfulness in her voice.
"Of course youwillgo," he answered
decidedly. "When I come back al
seven to dinner, I will hear what you
havet to say from her."
Then he had gone, and Mrs. Sylvester
had sat in trouble and dismay, thinking
It all out, wondering now she coulc
accomplish her errand, and yet not sac
rihce her pride-how she could concill'
ate Theo Vincent, and yet give sher tC
understand it was an honor she lad
come to offer her. g.,
She ordered her carriage, and dressed
in a most elaborate, toilet, WAS driven
to Mrs. Van Renseller's, where, sur
rounded by all the luxuries of wealth
and refinement, Theo Vincent had won
her way to her heart, and been made
not only the confidential friend, but the
beloved daughter and choice companion
AS Mrs. Van Renseller's friend, so
ciety had opened its most exclusive
doors, and our little Theo had found
herself, almost unconsciously, a pet and
favorite in pleasant social circles, where
her personal attractiveness, her sweet
winsomeness, her refined intelligence,
held the position given her.
And Harold Sylvester had renewed
her oc%ouaintance with his mothers dis.
| charged governess, and
| This was the result-Mrs. Sylvester
waiting in Mrs. Van r. nseller's parlor
or Taco Vincent to come, W ith whom
she was to plead in her sons behalf.
It seemed like some impossible bur-
lesque, as she waited, and there was a
sharp struggle within her between pride
and love for her son-that idol md dar.:
ling who never had been denied, and
who ruled her with rod of iron.
For his sake. Only, solely for his
sake. Ard then Tneo Vincent came II.
aSvision Of elegance, and loneliness. and
sweetness, in her soft, white dress.
She greeted Mrs. Sylvester in a cour-
tcous:way, and then waited inquiringly,
and, perhaps, just Il tribe haughtily.
And Mrs. Seymour rushed at once into
her errand. .y z
No doubt you will be quite sur.
prised 10 receive a message OF Which l
Am the bearer, because usually such mes
sages are delivered person lily, Miss Vim
cent. But, as I am willing to remoy C
any obstacle from the way of my sons
happiness, determined that in no better
way could the accomplishment of his
wishes be decided than by my coming
in a perfectly friendly way to you"
She certainly had not sacrificed her
dignity, and certainly had spoken very
WE'LL
And Theo, her face expressive of sur
prise, listened. ,
Il think | do not at all understand
you. Mrs. Sylvester. You have evidently
undertaken some commission for your
son, but what, might l inquirer"
This from the girl she had disgraced
But she put the curb on herself, and
went blandly on for her boys sake:
"Your delicacy certainly does you
credit. I cannot express how delight
fully charming l find it, my dear Miss
Vincent. Yes, / am commissioned by
my son to make you an offer of his hand,
his name, his position, his affections,
And, Miss Vincent, if you will charita'
bly, permit me, l cordially indorse
whatever will conduce 10 Harold's hap
piness."
Andtor the first time in her life, Mrs
Sylvester realized that she had-eater
humble.pie. .
A curious little look swept over Theois
face. ...
Evil you tell Mr.. Sylvester, for me.
please, that in the society in which ]
move, it is not customary for gentlemen
to do their proposals Of marriage BY
proxy? WiU;you also be kind enough
to tellhim that under any circumstance:
I could not possibly consider his offer:
And will you inform him that | have
been engaged to Doctor Clyde Penning'
ton for the past three months? And,
as Mrs. Van Renseler's carriage y
waiting, and I have an engagement a,
half-past five, be SO good as to excus:
me, Mrs. Sylvester a@E
And so Theo's turn came, and. like s
young duchess, she bowed to the
woman who had. all unconsciously
been her fate. While Mrs. Sylvester
went back to her son.
y
But as, a year afterward, Mrs. Doctor
Pennington. sitting in her luxurious