The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1881-06-29

WAS SoLc-loleNcl, perhaps. Suoul'
she never see him again?
Taking the weeping girl in his arms
her fond father soon learned the par
ticulars of the lovers quarrel. He saw
his child was to blame, bnt could no.
understand Harry's not attempting tt
see her again. He did not know of his
meeting with Frank Churchill, and the
wrong impression that had been made
on him.
Poor Katy. She was indeed severely
punished for her petulance.
Three years passed away, and she
only heard that Harry was in a mer.
chants office in London and vas doing
we'll. All this time he had never once
visited his native place. She hated
Frank Churchill so thoroughly fo1
being connected with her quarrel with
Harry that ever he could not mistake
her sentiments toward him.
Katy passed her time chiefly in at
tending to her old father. She seldom
joined her companions in any of the
village gayeties, and was entirely
changed from the hasty, coquettish
beauty who had smitten so many hearts.
Many were the offers she had, but she
turned a deaf ear to them all, vowing
within to remain true to her love for
Harry.
"katv, there is to be a grand cricket
match next week; so get Your fnery
ready, child, and we will both so to see
it," said Farmer Langley. 81 was a
good hand with a bat in my young days,
but 1 hear they have some ~new-fangled
mode of bowling, and I should like to
see it."
Katy remembered with a sigh that
Harry had been the best bowler in the
village; but she smothercd it quickly
and promised to be ready.
Very lovely she looked on the Satur-
day afternoon when she went with her
father 20 the cricket field. Her COM
plexion was still as purely white and
her cheeks as rosy red as when, three
years ago, she had parted from Harry.
But now, added to this, was sensi-
bility-more heart in the expression of
her face; and her soft blue eyes, though
bright as ever, were more often cast
down. Not a word had her father said
as to who was expected to take part in
the match.
Harry Amorv, after so long an alb
sence had come on a visit to an aunt in
the neighboring town. His old ON
rades of the cricket club had soon looked
up their best bowler, aud upon his play
they chiefly depended to beat their an
tagonists.
"Ah, Amory, glad to see you again! !"
The voice was Churchill's. "Just mar
ried, YOU know, and spending a few
weeks with the old man before settling
in London. Deuced slow hole, this, to
pass ones days in. Got the old fellow
to advance me enough money to pur-
chase a practice. You know my wife, I
think; will go and bring her to speak
to YOU"
"Ah, Harry, how are you, my lad?
Glad to see you again! How long do
you intend to stop among us? But I
must not keep you," said Farmer Lang
ley, "for there's the umpire calling you
to play. I'll see you again presently"
Harry's party were very nearly disap-
pointed Of their victory. He played 50
recklessly at first that the Ainsworth
club was delighted. All at once he
seemed to brace himself for the strug-
gle, and one after the other threw down
their bats to make room for others, till
the match was gained at a single il
ming, with forty runs to spare.
"Gloriously done, Amory" said
Churchill. "Scc your hand has not for
got its canning. But come, my wife is
in yonder tent, and wishes to congratu-
late YOU. Here she comes to speak for
herself"
Turning quickly round to make his
escape, Harry came face to face with a
lady.
$50 glad to sec YOU, Mr.. Amory g.!
Charmed to think that you have beat
Ell the Ainsworth club? Don't you find
the country dull after London? Per-
haps we shall be neighbors there"
"Neighbors, Miss Randall Your
father is not going to London, is he
ooh, dear, no! And I am not Miss
Randall," she simpered. "Why, you
have beer talking to my husband !!
Frank, I thought you had told Mr..
Amory of our marriage"
Harry never knew what answer he
made, but just then catching sight of
Farmer Langley coming toward him, he
hurried to him and astonished the wor-
thy man by drawing him aside and
eagerly asking if Katy had not been
once engaged to Frank Churchill.
Engaged to Frank Churchill !" ex-
claimed. the farmer. What are you
dreaming of? Katy despised the fellow!
He's got his match now. Lizzie Randall
was always a rare vixen, and her father
was only too glad to give Churchill. q
round sum OF money to marry her. I
don't envy him his life with her"
"But Katy! Is she s~ingle-where is
she" cried Harry.
"Ah, lad, you were over TASTY to take
notice of a spoiled child's angry words.
She is not far of. I left her in II Of
the tents"
Katy watched the game with the
greatest interest; she had at once recog-
nized the famous bowler, and her heart
beat fast as she did SO. Would he notice
her? There was her father talking to
him; and-yes, they were comingtoward
the tent! Seized with a sudden fit Of
shyness Katy made her way out at the
back of the tent, but was soon oyertaken
and brought back by Harry.
"katy, dear Katy!" he exclaimed;
6 three years ago l left You, thinking
you had thrown me over for Frank
Churchill. 1 was a mad simpleton for
believing his Boosting talk. | came to-
day expecting to find you his wife, and
only just now found out how vilely I
have been deceived. Katy, will you for
give me when you know L have been
wretched ever since We parted?"
katv's answer is not recorded; but
what it was may be guessed from the
fact that Harry left the cricket field with
Katy leaning on his arm.
Katy being unwilling to leave her
father, and the post of steward being
again vacant and u second time offered
to Harry, he threw up his appointment
in London and once more settled down
in his native place. A month after the
bells of the village church rang out mer'
rily in honor of the handsome couple
who were that day united.
None of us are perfect, and we have