The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-21

glance bravely. She returned her bow, and without embarrassment begged her to be seated. Then she waited for her visitor to explain the object of her call.
 You do not know who am, 1 sup pose ?" said Mrs. Abbot, after a pause.
 have the pleasure of knowing Mrs Abbot by sight," replied Millicent in a perfectly calm voice.
 Then you know why have called upon your"
 The girl made no reply.
 Mrs. Abbot continued, with unmistak- able scorn in her voice: "I have called to see the young lady whom my son tells me he is resolved, against his parents wish, to make his wife"
 am sorry, Mrs. Abbot, you should have thought it needful to call and tell me this"
 How could you expect otherwise {? Frank Abbot bears one of the oldest names and is heir to one of the best estates in the county. When he marries, he must marry wife in his own position. What has Miss Keene to offer in ex- change for what he can bestov?r
 The girls face flushed but her brave brown eyes met those of her intesrogator without fiinching. "If thought you would understand me, Mrs. Abbot, I should say that had woman's true love to give him, and that is enough. He sought me and won that love. He asked for It and gave it. can say no more. y
 :" In these days" said Mrs. Abbot con- temptously, persons in our station re- quire more than love-that young man like Frank can always have for the ask ing. or what family are you Miss Keene
 "Of noRe. My father was a trades man. He was unfortunate in his busi- ness, and has been many years abroad trying to redeem his fortunes. With the exception of an education, which, fear, has cost my poor father many privations, 5, l have nothing to boast of. live with an aunt. who has small income of her own. Now you know nay history"
 Mrs. Abbot had soon seen that crush ing tactics failed to meet the exipencies of the case. She put on an appearance of frankness. "You are candid with me. Miss Keene. and it appears to me you have plenty of common sense l put it to you do you think Mir. Abbot or my self can lend our sanction to this i'll ad- vised affairr'
 The girls lip curled in manner which was particularly galling to Mrs. Abbot. A tradesman's daughter, whose proper place was behind counter, had no right to be able to assume such an expression ;" That was for Frank, not for me to con. slider, Mrs. Abbot
 ' But surely you will not marry him against our wishes ?"
 The girl was silent for a minute. An answer to such question required con- sideration. Not yet" she said. .We are both too young. But if, in after years, Frank Abbot wishes me to be his wife, 1 will share his lot, let it be high or low" She spoke proudly and decisIvely. as one who felt that her love was well worth having, and would make up for much that a man might be called on to resign Tn order to enjoy it.
 It was this independence, the value the 'fadesmsns daughter SC, upon her self, that annoyed Mrs. Abbot, and led her into the mistake of firing her last and, as she hoped, fatal shot. You are not, perhaps, aware," she said, "that the estate is unentailed?"
 Millicent, who did not at once catch the drift of her words, looked inouirinplv.
 mean" explained Mrs. Abbot, that my husband may leave 1t to whom he likes-that if you marry my son you will marry beggar."
 The girl rose. With all her practice. Mrs. Abbot herself could not have spoken or looked more scornfully. How little you know me, madam, to insult me like that. Have you so poor an opinion of your son as to fancy 1 cannot love him for himself3 Did you marry Mir. Abbot for hls wealth." Mrs. Abbot winced mentally at the question. Do you think wish to marry Francis Abbot only for the position shall gain? You are wrong, utterly wrong!'
 fhen," said Mrs. Abbot, with the bitterness of deteat, "I suppose you will persist in this foolish engagement, and the only chance have is an appeal to my son|
 "I have promised to be his wife. He alone shall release me from that promise. But it may be long before he can claim it, and so your anxiety may rest for some tune, Mrs. Abbot. have this morning a letter from my father. He wishes me to join him in Australia. Next month shall sail, and it will probably be three or four years before return. Then, if Frank wishes me to be his wife if he says to me: I will risk loss of lands and love of parents for your sake. l will bid him take me, and carve out way in the world for himself"
 A weight was lifted from Mrs. Abbot's mind. She caught the situation at once. Three or four years separation What might not happen. Although she strove to speak calmly, as great lady should do, she could not keep a certain eager ness out of her voice. But will you not during that time p
 That was another important question. Again Millicent paused and considered her answer. "l will neither write nor be written to II, eventually, I marry your son-if his love can stand the test of silence and absence-at least you shall not say did not give him every oppor- suEity of terminating our engagement" ]"
 Mrs. Abbot rose and assumed a plea-