The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-21
CHI EWTON-ABBOT.
By HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER I.

IHAPtEk
 The Abbots of Chewton Abbot, Glouces- tershire, were county people, and, more over, had always occupied that coveted position. They dreaded not the re- searches of the oficious antiquary who pokes about in pedigrees, and finds that, three T four generations ago, the found- CTS of certain families acquired their wealth by trade. They at least were in. dependent of money earning. The fact that Chewton began to be known as Chewton-Abb as far back as the 6f- teenth century showed they were no up- starts. iodee1, if not of the very first rank-that rank from which knights of the shire arc chosen-the Abbots. from the antiquity of their family, and from the centuries that family had owned the same estates, were entitled to dispute the ques- ton of precedence with all save a very few great magna.es. They were undoubt- edly people of importance. The reign ing Abbot, i, needed scarcely be said, was always county magistrate, and at some period of his life certain to serve as sher- iff. But for generations the family had occupied exactly the same position and exercised exactly the same amount of in- fuence in the land. The Abboss seemed neither to rise nor fall. If they added nothing to their estates, they alienated nothing. If they gave no great states men, warriors, or geniuses to the world, they produced sparingly highly respecta- ble members of society, who lived upon the family acres and spent their revenues iu becoming manner.
 The estates were unentailed; but as, so far, no Abbot had incurred his fathers disp!easure, the line of descent from father to eldest son had been unbroken, and appeared likely to continue SO. True, It vas whispered years ago that the custom was nearly changed when Mir. William Abbot, the present owner of the estate, was leading life in London very different fpm the respectable tradi- tions 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 before him.
 IL was one of the cherished Abbot tra- ditions that the family was not prolific. So long as the race was kept from dis appearing, they were conten,ed. In this respect the present head of the family snoSed himself a true Abbot. He had but one son, young man who had just taken far degree at Oxford, and who was now staying at Che~ton hall before departing on a round of polite travel, winch, according 10 old .orld precedent, his parents considered necessary to crown the educational edihce.
 MT and Mrs. Abbot were in the break tasI-room al Chewton h all. MT. 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. Mir. Abbot had just poured out his second cup of tea, and, according to his usual custom, commenced breaking the seals of the letters which lay beside his plate. His wife drew near to him.
 . am afraid that infatuated boy has in some way entangled himself with the young woman told you of." she said.
 What young woman T asked Mir. Abbot, laying down his letters.
 ' told you last week he was always riding into Bristol-so often, that 1 felt sure there was some attraction there"
 '' You d,d, remember. But 1 took little notice of it. Boys will be boys, you know"
 "ies; but 1t IS time we interfered found hun this morning kissing photo- graph and holding lock of hair m his hand. taxed hum with his folly"
 My dear Helena said Mir. Abbot, with sh de of contempt in his voice, "wili you forgive me for saying that in matters ot thus 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"
 You cont quite understand me-" re- piled Mrs. Abbot, ' he wants to marry her"
 C Wants ,o do what" cried her hus- band, now fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
 He told me this morning be had asked her 10 be his wife. She would, he knew, consent, if we would welcome her as a daughter"
 How kind! How considerate!" said Mir. Abbot scornfully. "Who may she be, and where did Frank meet her?
 He saved her from some incivility at the railway station, and so made her ac. quaintance. Who she is he scarcely seems to know, except that her name is Millcent keene, and that she lives with an aunt somewhere in Clifton. Frank gave me the address and begged me to call-assuring me that should take her to my heart the moment saw her."
 He must be mad!' exclaimed Mir. Abbot, rising and pacing the room. Mad, utterly mad! Docs he think we are go- ing to let him-an Abbot-marry the first nameless young woman who strikes his fancy? 1 will talk to him and soon bring him to his senses. The estates are unentailed, thank goodness so have some hold over him.
 Mrs. Abbot's lip just curled with scorn, as she heard her husbands direct commonplace plan for restoring her sons wandering senses. She knew that such parental thunderbolts were apt to do