Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-22

been considering what heiresses she knew
who were worthy Of picking up the hand
kerchief which she meant to let fall on
his behalf. She had postponed her de-
cisi0n until his return from the cOntem-
plated tour. Then she would breach the
subject Of an advantageous matrimonial
alliance TO him. By broaching the subject
Mrs. Abbot meant laying her commands
upon her son 20 wed the lady she had
chosen for him.
AS she drove along the twelve miles Of
road TO Clifton and reelected on all these
things, is il any wonder that her frame
Of mind was an unpleasant one; that her
eyes grew hard and she felt little disposed
70 be merciful TO the owner Of that pretty
face which threatened to come between
her and the cherished schemes Of years:
The carriage stopped at the address
given her by her soR-a quiet little house
in quiet little street where the arrival
OF 50 grand an equipage and so fine a pair
Of horses was an event Of sufficient rarity
TO make many windows open, and maid
servants, even mistresses, crane out and
wonder what il meant Mrs. Abbot, hav-
ing ascertained that Miss Keene was at
home, and having made known her wish
TO see her, was shown into a room plainly
but not untastefully furnished. A piano,
an unfinished drawing, some dainty en-
brOldery, gave evidence of more refine
ment than Mrs. Abbot expected, or, to
tell the truth, hoped TO find in her enemy's
surroundings. A bunch Of flowers, ar
tistieally arranged, was il a glass vase
on the table; and the visitor felt more
angry and bitter than before as she recOg-
nized many a choice orchid, and knew by
this token that the CheWtOn lighthouses
had been robbed for Miss Keene's sake.
Mrs. Abbot tapped her foot ippatiently
as she awaited the moment when her
youthful enemy should appear and be sat
isfactOrily crushed.
TIE mistress of ChewtOn Abbot had
somehow conceived the idea that the girl
who had won her sons heart was Of a
dolllsh style of beauty. She may have
Jumped at this conclusion frem the men,
cries Of her own young DAYS, when she
tOu2d the heart Of man was more suscep-
tible TO attractions Of this type than to
those Of her own seYerer charms. Pretty
enough, after a fashion, she expected to
find the girl, but quite crushable and
rliant between her clever and experienced
hands. She had no reason for this i'm
preston. She had cOldly declined to look
at the portrait which her son, that morn
ing, had wished to show her. Having
formed her own ideal Of her would-be sue
cessOr at ChewtOn Hall, she regulated her
actions accordingly. Her plan was to
begin by striking terror into the foe. She
wished ne deception; the amenities Of So
cial warfare might be dispensed with on
this occasion. Knowing the advantage
usually gained by sudden and uneX-
pected attack, she had not revealed her
name. She simply desired the servant TO
announce lady to see Miss Keene.
Hearing a light step approaching the
door, Mrs. Abbot drew herself up to her
fun height and assumed the most majestic
attitude she could. 1t was, as one NAV
imagine, a fine tRree-decker of the old
days turning her brOadside, with sixty
guns run out and ready for action, upon
some puny foe, to show her that at a word
she might be blown out Of the water Or
it was what is called nowadays demon
stration in force.
The door opened and Mlllicent Keene
entered. Mrs. Abbot bowed slightly;
then, without speaking a word, in de-
hberate manner looked the newcomer up
and down. She did not for moment at
tempt to conceal the object of her visit.
Her offensive scrutiny was an open de-
claration of war and the girl was welcome
to cOnstrue it as such.
But what did the great lady see as she
cast that hostile but, in spite of herself,
half-curiOus glance on the girl who came
forward to greet her unexpected visitor?
She saw beautiful girl Of about nine
teen; tall and, making allowances for
age, stately as herself. She saw a figure
as near perfection as a young girls may
be. She saw a sweet, calm face. with
regular features and pale, pure complex
ion, yet with enough color to speak Of
perfect health. She saw a pair of dark
brown, truthful eyes-eyes made darker
by the long lashes-a mass of brown hair
exactly as it should be. She saw,
in fact, the exact opposite to the picture
she had drawn; and as Millicent Keene,
with graceful carriage and a firm but
light step, advanced toward her, Mrs.
AbbOts heart sank. She had entirely
the strength of the enemy,
and she felt that 1t would be no easy mat
ter to tear woman such as this from a
young mans heart.
The girl bore Mrs. Abbot's offensive
glance Dravely. 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, sup
poser" said Mrs.-Abbot, after a pause.
81 have the pleasure of knowing Mrs.
Abbot by sight," replied Millicent in a
perfectly calm voice.
''Then you know why I have called upon
your"
The girl made no reply.
Mrs. Abbot continued, with unmistaka-
BILE scorn in her voice; II have called to
see the young lady whom my son tells me
he is resolved, against his parents wish,
to make his wife,"
81 am sorry, Mrs. Abbot, you should
have thought it needful to call and tell me
this"
Show 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
a wife in his own position. What has
Miss keene to offer in exchange for what
he can bestOwg'
The girls pale face flushed; but her
brave, brown eyes met those of her inter-
rOgator without fiinching. ''If l thought
you would understand me, Mrs. Abbot,
should say that | have 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. l can say no more"
''In these days." SAID Mrs. Abbot con-
temptuOusly, persons in our station re-
quire more than loye-that young man
like Frank can always have for the ask
ing. OF what family are you, Miss
Keene?"
''Of none. My father was tradesman.
He was unfortunate in his business and
has been many years abroad trying to re-
deem his fortunes. With the exception
of an education which, / fear, has cost
my poor father many privatious, l have
nothing to boast of. l live with an aunt,
who has a small income of her own. Now
you know my history"
Mrs. Abbot had soon seen that crushing
tactics failed to meet the eXigencies of the
case. She put on an appearance of frank
ness. "YOu are candid with me, Miss
Keene; and it appears to me you have
plenty of common sense. put it to you:
do you think that Mr.. Abbot or myself
can lend our sanction to this ill-adyised
affair?"
The girls lip curled in a manner which
was particularly CALLING to Mrs. Abbot.
A bridesmaids daughter, whose proper
place was behind a counter, had no right
to be able to assume such an expression!
sSThat was for Frank, not for me, to con-
slider, Mrs. Abbott
"But surely you will not marry him
against our wishes 2"
The girl was silent for a minute. An
answer to such a question required con-
"NOt yet," she said. Eve
are both too young. Buff, in after years,
Frank Abbot wishes me to be his wife,
viii share mis- lot, let il be high or low"
She spoke proudly and decisiYely. 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 in or
der to enjoy it.
1t was this independence, the value the
tradesman's daughter set upon herself,
that annoyed Mrs. Abbot and led her into
e.0n-r Of A,-sv. --1.-