The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-12-08
self until weeks had flown, and he had
aae...a.lakal s.a.k Saal E i.ee--~-

~~ AS 49,
accumulated a vast deal of informa-
tion concerning the Peppers.
Then he became acquainted with
Olive Allys, and the latter spoke of
her friend with enthusiasm.
IF l were a young man." concluded
Olive, excitedly, "Td fall in love with
Jessica, and run away with her. She
is so bright and pretty, and she never
gets taken out for a concert, or a ride,
OF a sail, as the other girls do. They
keep her as close as a nun, and will
until she's dried to parchment, like
Becca. I don't see how Jessica bears
it don'tp
Mr.. D'Albert had spells of deep
thought after this conversation. espec-
tally on learning that the only place
where Jessica was allowed to walk of
a Sunday evening was in the cemetery.
From his window it CHANGED, too, that
he could see the back garden where
Jessica sewed and read, and tended
her plants and canary. and daily his
respect and interest deepened. He
had haif-a-dozen merry, joyous sisters
at home. and dwelt on the contrast.
Now it happened that Jessica
thought as much of Mr.. D'Albert as
MI. D'Albert thought Of Jessica.
She knew his window in Mrs. Japon-
ica's pretentious clearinghouse; knew
his horse when he galloped past her
fathers door; knew-at least, knew
well enough-where the lovely flowers
came from which sometimes reached
her.
Olive Allys had a beautiful garden,
and Becca thought Olive sent them,
but Jessica knew we'll enough that the
choice and costly selections came from
an unexpected quarter.
Mr.. D'Albert's glance said as much
whenever she CHANGED to get a bow
from him; and if she blushed vividly,
who can wonder? She could not
think Of one objection against Mr..
D'Albert as a lover; nor, in reason.
could Mr.. Peppers. He was every
inch a gentleman.
1t was very accommodating of Bee
ca to fall i'll. She was not painfully
i'll, only very sallow, aud unable to
drive all before her in the household;
so that she was exceedingly cross, and
Jessica had a harder time than usual
at home.
The doctor ordered a change of
scene.
ard send you down to the seaside,
and Jessica might 60 with you to take
care of you," said Mr.. Peppers.
There's too many young men here I
notice that naval fellow lifting his hat
to Jessica. But there's always board
ers at the seaside in summer, and a
great deal of foolishness going on"
1--WE could 60 to Mrs. Green's" said
Nobody ever goes there"
They could, and did-Mr. Peppers
ascertaining that Mrs. Green had
no dodgers, and making her promise
she would take none while his
daughters remained.
1t was a forlorn old place-isolated
enough, but comfortable and clean
and plenty of sea air.
Any change was a delight to Jessi-
ca, and she climbed the rocks and
splashed In the surf, with her cheeks
ike roses and her eyes bright as
"Laws!' said Mrs. Green; "see that
girl enjoy herself. Amt she a beautyl
1t does my heart good to look at her.
She'll marry early-you'Il see."
"1ndeed she WON'T" snapped Becca.
We've other Intentions"
":Man proposes, but God disposes,'"
Mrs. Green, as she ratified her
knitting-needles.
lnvalidism compelled Miss Becca to
be a late riser. Jessica usually had a
sea bath and a run in the morning air
before her sister came down.
One morning, as she was tripping
the dooryard, her attention was
attracted by a dog kennel, and a great
%boarhound rose up and looked
at her inq%uiringly.
Jessica stared, her bright eyes Wild
ened, then she looked inquiringly
around. But there was no one but