The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1882-11-22
A MERE CHILD.

- w llltlll lllc CllClC VI 4iSh al Lila
stand, a sheet Of notepaper, and a
brown hand writing thereon these
words:
cit will not be so very dull, for I
have met with some old acquaintance
who live here in summer-those pretty
Granger girls that were at Henderson's
ball and one or two other places last
winter. Their father has asked ME to
go and see them-tennis, and so forth.
Rather jolly! 1 have found some rare
specimens of ferns-wall spleenwort,
rusa muraria, and several fungi l never
saw before. How am l? Never bet
ter. This air is like so much new life
to me. Love to the pater and yourself
from Your affectionate son,
"CLEMENT MOORE"
The pen was laid down, the letter
I. placed in an envelope the latter di-
rected, and a stamp dabbed on side
ways in the corner. Then the writer
pushed back his chair, yawned, and
stretched himself.
"Done my duty. Now for a little
pleasure. Wonder whether they're at
home. Only eight. I'll go and see"
He went out into the passage, stoop-
ing to avoid knocking his head as he
passed through the low doorway,
which was never meant to admit six
feet of humanity.
"Mrs. Grant, he called, taking from
its peg a soft felt hat.
ayes, sir" came from the direction
of the kitchen.
"I'm going out-shall be IN by ten,
perhaps sooner You needn't get any
supper ready"
"Very well, sir"
A ten minutes walk in the cool
evening air and he was in the center
of a family party, greeting those he
knew, being introduced to others, and
sitting down amidst them, half be-
wildered by the light and buzz of
voices.
But Clement Moore knew how to
adapt himself to circumstances. The
youngest child was soo on his knee,
while he divided his conversation be-
tween her and her father-between
anecdotes of a wonderful dog he pos
sessed and the failure of the hop crop.
"You are staying at Grants farm,
are you not z" asked the motherly-
looking mistress of the house. "Do
they make you comfortable"
Pretty WELL" he answered, passing
Ms.hand gently over the little ones
yellow curls. "They mean to. so I
don't grumble. Mrs. Grant is a kind
old soul and not a bad cook"
"You came for your health, I think
you said," inquired Louy, the clever
one Of the family, raising her dark eye
b-ows interrogatively.
eyes; and 1 like this better than
the seaside, for 1 60 in for a little bot
AIMING as a rule in my holidays. The
fact was I came to grief on my bicy-
scle-brokem my leg-and was used up
for an unconscionable time. And now
I've thrown over the doctor and come
down here to recruit"
His eye fell, unconsciously to him
self, on the third sister, Zoe, whose
small, oval face was full of interest.
She was apparently twelve or thirteen
years of age, with golden-brown hair,
cut short and curling about her head.
From her he looked toward Marian,
who was busy with some dainty fancy
work, over which her pretty hands
looked very expert and her fair face
very intent.
"They are generally artists who
!. come to stay at Mrs. Grants" she said,
looking up for a minute. EDO you
sketch at all, Mr.. Moore ?"
"Not:I, Miss Granger, I wish I
-could," he added, with a meaning look
that made her color.
This was the first of many evenings
i spent at the Changers, for the young
man found the family gatherings more
pleasant than his own society; and
also, though he did not say so, more
-pleasant than any he had known in his
Gown home.
"To-morrow is the last Of these
pleasant holidays" he said, regretfully,
one afternoon, at the conclusion OF
game of tennis. 81 must be idle nc
longer. Ard we have never been over
to that ruin you mentioned"
"The castle? You really ought tt
see it," said Louy. "Well, can We
mot all 60 Tomorrow"
81 should like it of all things. Have
you any objection, Miss Granger?"
"I? Oh, no" Marian answered
quickly. "And Zoe, of course?"
|" OH yes, Zoe must come" and he
smiled down at the little girl who was
{ standing silently near.
"I will see," she replied, doubt
fully.
"Good-bye, then, for the present.
e'said, shaking hands with the elder
girls first Z; and then, instead of taking
: Toes small, outstretched fingers, HI
bent down and kissed them.
"Good-bye, little one" he said
laughing. Mind, you are to come
!, with us-or I don't mean to 60"
Zoes cheeks became deeply suffused
She gave him a look full of indigna
ton and outraged pride, then turned
and fed.
"Why, who would have thought
he began. somewhat disconnected
breaking off as he saw the looks of thu
others.
81 suppose" said Louy, coldly
"that YOU are under a mistake, Mr.
Moore. Zoe is not the child she looks
She is nineteen
"Nineteen p he repeated. "1mpos
sible p
ssShe is indeed p Marian answered
"She always looked young; but las'
winter she was ill, and had her hair cut
off, and since then she looks worse
than ever p
Moore colored holly himself now
Then, with a half apology, he ran of
across the lawn in the direction he hat
seen her take.
He found her sitting in a little arbol
oyerhung with clematis, with her face
hidden, bitterly crying.
. Finding she did not move he wa:
half inclined to 60 back.
Miss Granger" he said, successful
ly resisting the impulse.
She started, and began hastily to dry
her eyes.
eyes"
Il beg your pardon. 1 had no Idle:
how could I have!-that you Wer'
not a child"
She looked so very small and 81
heartbroken, and at the same time 81
pretty. that Clement felt half tempted
to-take her in his arms like the chile
he had thought her.
Can't you forgive mey' he asked
humbly. "You make me feel so teri
bly, guilty. The fact was, / never no
= ticed you much, or | could not have
made such q mistake"