The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1883-07-04

She accepted at once, hoping as
she did so that George Fenby would
see her. lie was not there to see,
however, and Ralph had taken good
care to know that. He was already
halfway home.
But Miss Arnden was in no mood to
refuse. She was in a reckless temper,
and Ralph Warder had counted on
that. One DESTROYS of widening the
breach between Alice and George
would have found it a very easy task
to make a beginning that night.
Ralph Warder's lips moved slowly as
he seated himself beside Alice, but we
will not try to determine what he said
to himself in that crisis in more lives
than one.
Il admire your cloak and hat" ex-
claimed Ralph, Though the saying it
may be as much Il compliment to my
sister as to your own taste. Hers are
like them, are they not"
every nearly; not quite. But |
didn't know you ever noticed what
your lady friends wear
81 don't very often. I did to-day.
Would the masculine eye detect the
d~ifferences?:'
81 think not. But it is a pity to
talk of dress on such Il night as this.
What a strong and helpful sermon we
hal this EVENING"
eyes," said Ralph.
They made a turn in the road, and
there was George himself only a few
yards ahead. Alice put down her veil
at once. Surely fate was on the side
of Ralph Wardcr's plans that night.
"Get in, George. l won't take a
refusal 81.
"Who is with you? Your sister,"
Eyes" said Ralph, with a prompt
ness which should be admired and
pardoned. "Sit on this side,' said
Ralph, as George got in; 81 will sit
between you. The night is beautiful,
isn't it,"
every beautiful ~ said George,
who really had not thought of it be-
fore.
You needn't 60 home at once. |
will turn here and we will drive over
toward the shore
lie had turned his horse down the
road leading in that direction before
either of his companions could say a
word. The two lovers were gazing
again on the scene they had looked
upon in the morning. The moonlight
may have softened the harshness of it
4 little, but the man between them
heard a sob from the woman at his
left, and saw the moonlight sparkle
suspiciously on the eyelashes of the
man on his right. And he thought
grimly of himself as the image of fate
fate, with the destiny of two human
beings in his hands.
Il found a paper of yours this morn
ing" said Ralph, slowly, land here it
is. ! could hardly help seeing what it
was. | congratulate you on your bar
gain. You have bought the finest
estate about here, George. 1t is re-
markably cheap at the price. l be-
lieve the deed was signed last even
ing?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Kingsley had not fully decided
to sell it until then, had he?"
Not fully. He told me his daugh-
ter hight decide to want it herself
when she is married. MI. Kingsley
will, of course, give her a handsome
residence somewhere when that event
takes place, for Mr.. Jones, who is to
marry her, has no fortune of his own
cit has been your highest ambition
to OWN that estate, hasn't it,"
certainly. l wanted the finest
place here
"You ought to be supremely happy.
You said last night that you would be
when you owned the place"
EYES"
The answer was short. Ralph could
feel the strong man on his right trem-
bic in spite of his efforts to control
himself, and knew that the woman on
his left was crying softly.
"You said something last night
about your ambition to be master OF
that estate. Do YOU remember what
it waSI'
eyes, I think I do. Something
boastful, was it not?"
George Fenby was beginning to un-
derstand dimly why he had received
the letter he had.
Worse than that. Did you ever
thing that one overhearing it might
think you meant to marry Miss Kings
ley?"
"Never until now. Oh, what have
l done?"
"No matter. Did you ever intend
to marry her? Not a word Of objec-
ton. You've been led into answering
too much already to stop now. I de-
mand an answer, George. Did your
The eyes of the two men met. In
Ralph's there was the determination to
know, and, perhaps, something more.
In George Fenby's there was surprise,
which changed to satisfaction, and
Indignation, which gradually faded
out.
Never, on my honor !" he answered.
Ralph Warder stopped the horse.
They had driven far to the south, and
had now turned back towardthe village
again. In front of them was the level
sweep Of frozen marsh. but farther on
was the peaceful village with it's
lighted windows, and with its range of
shcltering wooded hills behind it. On
their right was the sea, calm and bright.
He stepped into the road and placed
the reinsin George Fenby's unresisting
hands.
"Bring the horse home when it is
all right" he said, "but take all the
time you wish. Here is another paper
of yours which 1 found this morning.
Be thankful tonight that so NEEDLE
some a man found it. Alice -lrnden
and George Fenby, 1 give you back
your future-and my blessing"
lie spoke to the horse, and, obedient
to his word, he dashed down the road
and left him alone.
There is no more need of following
the lovers, to be sure that all came
right, than there is of following the
rushing mountain stream to be sure it
finds the sea.
SELECT SIFTINGS.