The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-08-11
AN ONLY OFFE r

"Aunt Phoebe, were you ever prettyP"
"When was sixteen / was consid-
cred 80. l was very like you then,
Julia. I am forty-three now, remem-
ber."
Did you ever have an offer-an offer
of marriage, mean, auntp"
"No. Well, that is not true; did
have one Offer"
And you refused itP"
Then he died, or went away"
'"Or deserted you7"
"No."
"Then you deceived him, I sup
poser"
81 did not"
"Whst ever happened. then? Was
he poor, or crippled, or something
dreadfulp"
"He was rich and handsome"
"Suppose you tell me about him"
81 never talk about him to any
one."
Ibid it happen at the old placer"
" Yes, Julia. never left Ryelands
until l was thirty. This happened when
I was sixteen"
WAS he farmers san in the nsigh-
borhoodp"
"He was fine city gentleman"
"Oh, aunt, how interesting! Put
down your embroidery and tell me
longer"
Perhaps after so many years Of silence
q sudden longing for sympathy and con-
hdence seized the elder lady, for she let
her work tall from her hands, and smil-
ing sadly, said:
"Twenty-scven years ago was stand
ing one afternoon by the gate at Rye
lands. All the work had been finished
early, and my mother and two elder
sisters had gone t. the village to see q
friend. / had watched them little
way down the hillside, and was turning
to 60 into the house when saw a
stranger on horseback coming up the
road He stopped and spoke to mother,
and this reused my curiosity; so ! lin.
gered at the gate. He stopped when he
reached il. ia tened his horse, and asked,
ds MIR. Wakefield imp
II said father was in the barn, and
/ could fetch him. which I Immediately
did.
"He was a dark, unpleasant-looking
man, and had masterful way with
him, even to father. thai disliked; but
after a short, business-like talk, appar-
emily satisfactory to both, he went away
without entering the house. Father
put his hands in his pockets and watched
him out of sight; then, looking at me,
he said: Put tt spare rooms in order,
Phoebe
"'They are in order, father; but is
that man to occupy themp"
"'Yes, be and his patient, young
gentleman of fine family, who is in bad
health
iather?'
"'I know it is young Alfred Comp
ton-that is enough forme.'
land the dark man who has Just
left? don't like his looks, father
looks. He is MIR. Alf1e eds physician-a
them are any of thy business, so ask no
more questions;' and with that he wenu
back to the barn.
Mother was not at all astonished.
She said there had been letters on the
subject already, and that she had been
rather expecting the company. But,
she added, they will pay well, and as
Melissa is 10 be married at Christmas,
ready money will be very ne>dtul.'
About dark carriage arrived. 1t
contained two gentlemen and several
large trunks. l had been watching for
1t behind the lilac-trees, and saw that
our afternoon visitor was now accom-
panied by slight, very fair man,
dressedwith extreme care in the very
highest fashion. saw also that he was
handsome, and / was quite sure he
mast be rich. or no doctor would wait
upon him so subsequently.
This doctor had disliked at first
sight, and soon began to imagine
that I had good cause to hate him.
His conduct TO his patient I believed to
be tyrannical and unkind. Some days
lie insisted that Mr.. Compton was too
i'll to 60 out, though the poor gentle
man begged for walk; and again,
mother said, he would take from him
all his books, though he pleaded ur.
gentlyfor them.
"One afternoon the postman brought
DR.. Orman a letter, which seemed to be
important, for he asked father to drive
him to the next town, and requested
mother to see that Mr.. Compton die
not leave the house. suppose it wa:
not right thing 10 do, but. this hand
some sick stranger, SO hardly used, and
so surrounded with mystery, had reused
in me 8 sincere sympathy for his loneli
ness and suffering, and walked through
that part of tie garden into which hi
windows looked. We had been politely
requested to avoid it. because tn
sight of strangers increased MIR. Comp
tons nervous condition. / did not be-
lieve this, and 1 determined to try The
exp ,riment.
He was leaning out of the window
and sadder face never saw. smiled
and courtssied. and he immedistsl.
; ieaped the low sill. and came towart
me. / stopped and began to tie VI