Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-22
CHEWTONABBOE
RI HUGH CONWAY.
rHApTER L.

OF the OfhclOus antlQuary VINO pOkes about
in pedigrees. and finds that, three or four
generations ago. the founders OF certain
families acquired their wealth by trade.
They at least we're independent Of money
earning. The fact that ChewtOn began to
be known as ChewtOn Abbot as far back
as the fifteenth century showed they were
no upstairs. Indeed, if not Of the very
first rank-that rank from which knights
Of the shire are Chosen-the AbbOts. from
the antiquity Of their family, and from the
centuries that family had owned the same
estates, we're entitled to dispute the ques-
ton OF precedence -Eith all save very
few great magnates. They we're undOubt-
edly people Of Importance. The relgning
Abbot, it need scarcely be said, was al
ways a county magistrate, and at some
period Of his life certain to serve as Sher-
III. But for generations the family had
occupied exactly the same position and
exercised exactly the sane amount Of in
huence in the land. The AbbOts seemed
neither to rise nor fall If they added
nothing to their estates, they alienated
nothing. II they gave no great states
men, warriors or geniuses 10 the world,
they produced sparingly highly respecta-
bic members Of society, who lived upon
the family acres and spent their revenues
in a becoming manner.
Tie estates were unentailed; but as, so
far, 30 Abbot had incurred his fathers
AAsIltdhuEEs TIT AAlAE VI NtoIE4AA 4lbAAA AdAl4El
70 eldest son had been unbrOken, and APP
peared likely TO continue so. True, it was
whispered years ago that the custom was
nearly changed when Mr.. William Abbot,
the present owner Of the estate. was lead
ing a life in London very different from
the respectable traditions Of the family.
But the reports were not authenticated
and as. soon after his fathers death, he
married a member Of an equally old,
equally respectable and equally proud
family, all such ill-natured gossip died a
natural death; and at the time this tale
opens William Abbot was leading the
same quiet life his ancestors had led be-
fore him.
1t was one Of the cherished Abbot ira
ditiOns that the family was not prolific.
SO long as the race was kept from disap-
pearing, they were cOntented. In this
respect the present head Of the family
showed himself a true Abbot. He had
but one son, young man who had just
taken fair degree at Oxford, and who
was now staying at ChewtOn Hall before
departing on round Of polite travel,
which, according to Old-wOrld precedent,
his parents considered necessary to crown
the educational edifice.
Mr.. and Mrs, Abbot were in the break
fast-rOOm at Chewton Hall. Mr.. Abbot
was alone at the table, laZily discussing
his breakfast. His wife and son, who
were early risers, had taken that meal
nearly an hour before. The young man
being away on some outdoor pursuit, the
husband and wife had the room to them
selves. Mr.. Abbot had just poured out
his second cup of tea, and, according to
MS usual custom, commenced breaking
the seals Of the letters which icy beside
bis plate. His wife drew near to him.
ri am afraid that infatuated boy has in
some way entangled himself with the
Fs.fH e CHI sold
"What young wOmanF' asked Mr.. Alb
bot, laying down his letters.
II told you last week he was always
riding into BristOl-so often, that / felt
sure there was some attraction there"
sYOu did, l remember. But | took
little notice Of it. Boys will be boys, you
know"
Yes; but it is time we interfered.
found him this morning kissing photo
graph and holding a lock of hair in his
hand. l taxed him with his folly"
"My dear Helena" said Mr.. Abbot,
with a shade of contempt in his voice,
s'will you forgive my saying that in mat
tiers of this KIND it is best to leave young
men alone and not to see more than can
be helped: Leave the boy alone-that is
my advice"
piled Mrs. Abbot; she wants TO marry
her"
W ants 10 90 Nudb.'. CEltu HeA nus
band, now fully aware Of the gravity OF
the situation.
''He told me this morning he had asked
her to be his wife. She would, he knew,
consent, if we would welcome her as
daughter
''How kind! How considerate!'' said
Mr.. Abbot scOrnfully. "Who may she
be, and where did Frank meet her"
s'He saved her from some lncIYlllty at
the railway station, and so made her ac-
quaintance. Who she is he scarcely seems
to know, except that her name is Mllllcent
Keene and that she lives with an aunt
somewhere in Clifton. Frank gave me
the address and begged me TO call-assur-
ing me that l should take her to my heart
the moment l saw her.
HE must be madr' exclaimed Mr.. Alb
bot. rising and pacing the room. MAD,
utterly mad! Does he think we are going
to let him-an AbbOt-marry the first
nameless young woman who strikes his
fancy: l will talk to him and soon bring
him to his senses. The estates are unen-
tailed, thank goodness! so l have some
hold over him."
Mrs. AbbOt's lip just curled with scorn
as she heard her husbands direct COM
mOnplace plan for restoring her sons
wandering senses. She knew that such
parental thunderbOlts were apt to do more
harm than good
MOulu HUI llEEAlEu lu1E yet oAAI
said Frank is very self-willed and may
give us trouble. For my part l intend to
drive into Clifton this morning and see
the girl"
apparent sanctiOnY
mo. To show her how absurd it is to
fancy we shall ever allow Frank to take
wife out of his proper sphere; and TO hint
that if he marries against our VIII her
husband viii be beggar. The fact OF her
Withholding her consent to marry him
until we approve Of her shows me she
is quite able to look after her own inter-
ests.n
Mr.. Abbot, who knew his wife's skill in
social diplomacy, offered no valid Objec-
tons; so the horses were ordered and Mrs.
Abbot drove to Clifton.
The mistress of ChewtOn Hall was
woman of about fifty-fiye; tall and stately,
nOticeably but not attractively handsome.
Rising in intellect far above the level of
the family into which she had married,
she had started by endeaYOring to mould
her husbands mind to the capacities Of
her own. In the early days Of their mar
ried life she had urged him increasingly
to strive for a higher position in the world
than that of a mere country gentleman.
She wished him 10 enter the political
arena; to contest a borough; in fact, to
change his way of living entirely. But
cile husband in most things. nothing could
move William Abbot from the easy groove
in which his fOrefathers had always pla-
eddy slidden. The husband and wife
were of very different natures. Perhaps
the only common ground between them
was their family pride and the sense Of
their importance. Yet while the gentle
man was quite cOntented with the latter
as it now stood, and always had stood,
the lady was ambitious and wished to
augment it.. But her efforts were Of no
avail; so at last, with a feeling touching
dangerously near to contempt, she gave
up attempting TO sway her husband IN
this direction and centred all her hopes in
her only son. on whom she fiattered her
self she had bestowed some Of her supe-
riOr intellect. He should play an impor-
tant part in the world. At the first op-
portunity he should enter Parliament,
become distinguished member Of society
and, so far as possible, satisfy her ambi-
ton. or course he must marry, but his
marriage should be one TO strengthen his
hands both by wealth and connections.
Now that he was on the threshold Of mans
estate, she had turned her serious atten-
ton to this subject, and had for some time