The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-10-27

tion which | met with at Madden Hall.
where the Squire greeted me gruff1y and
his maiden sister, Miss Penelope, sat
during my visit with piece of knitting
in her hand and forbidding expression
of countenance, apparently resolved not
to leave the parlor while I remained.
This occurre again and again-until 1t
is no wonder that took to watching the
fair Cora in her strolls and slketching ex-
petitions about the grounds, or that we
both found ramblc down to secluded
lane or chat under the beech tree where
we had first met more interesting than
the stiff parlor visits with Miss Penc-
lopc as third and the old Squire scowl-
ing at distance as l took my departure.
In one of these interviews Cora assured
me that she cared nothing for "Cousin
Tom beyond cousinly regard, and
that if she had ever for moment given
him enc engagement it was only because
because, no one else had offered whom
she could love. This naive confession
brought matters to crisis, and the re-
suit was ardent vows and solemn pledge
of engagement, with promise on her
part that she would marry me just as
soon as l could make some arrangements
and return to claim her. We agreed
that an clopcment would be best. as sccur-
ing ourselves against the annoyance of
opposition and perhaps persecution from
her relatives. This would require some
necessary preparations on my part, in
volving weeks absence, and so, with
many fcrvcnt VOWS, we parted, I beslow-
ing upon her = as an invaluable token OF
my ardent affection, my dog Sancho, to
whom she had taken q great fancy, of
VIII ch the faithful fellow manifested
grateful appreciation.
';lic will be protector to you." 1
said, tenderly, 'n yonr lonely walks,
and especially. should there occur any
difficulty in your dining me when I re-
turn. No one will dare to interfere with
you or with anything belonging to you
where Sancho is present"
1t was over q week when returned,
armed with money, license and every
thing else that was necessary to the car
rying out of our plans At the hotel l
heard that Mr.. Tom Maddcrn was at
home, and that he and Miss Cora walked
and rode out every evening together, ac-
companicd By Sancho. Thereupon l
wrote to Cora, requesting that she would
meet me at some time and place of her
own choosing, where we might finally
arrange our elopement. This note was
conveyed by little cowboy in her
unclc's service. and who on the follow
ing morning, in taking his nerd to pas
ture, delivered to me the following re-
ply, written in trembling hand:
This evening at you will find letter
from me at the foot Of the b"ech tree where
we first met. If You lovo me do not miss it.
time. Your own, G"
This brief and emphatic note rather
alarmed me. What had happened or
was about to happen that she should be
so earnest and so mysterious to mc2
However, of course. the letter would ex-
plain, and so long before o'clock I was
on my way to the appointed place.
The beech stood not one hundred yards
from fence forming division line be-
tween the Madden estate and the one ad-
joining. Passing thr ugh by means of
bose plank of which l had before
made use, I came in sight Of the tree.
My breast gave bound. for there saw
pinned down low upon its trunk patch
Of white paper, and beside it, with head
erect and watchful eye, lay that noble
and faithful creature Sancho, jcalously
guarding the treasure entrusted to him
by his fair mistress.
At sight of me the dog looked curl
ously and doubtfully waggcd his tail I
called him, but he refu cd to move, and
as I cont ,ued TO advance he raised his
upper lip aud uttered low snarl.
"Why, Sancho, oil fellow" I said
soothingly, don't you hnow me =
Sancho slightly waggcd the tip of his
tail in Affirmative, but at the same time
showed his teeth. knew him too we'll
not to heed these signs; but what on
earth had set the animal against me?
Had he lost all sense of his past ALE
glance, or what was more probable, was
lis sense of honor and attachment to his
new owner stronger than any remcm-
braacc of past obligation to mc2
In vain I coaxcd, in vain I threatened.
When 1 called him lie wagged his tail,
but refused to stir; when I picked up
sti k he covered little, but kept his
place. 1t was only when venturcd to
approach toward the letter that he rose
to his feet and with bristliug neck and
cleaning teeth and eyes warned me of.
What was l to do2 I knew that If l
persi ted the dog would certainly seize
me. The unerateful beast! A thousand
times cur ed the trick that I had taken
such pains to teach him, never dreaming
that it would lead to my own undoing,
And here he would lie till midnight,
perhaps, keeping that letter out of my
reach. No matter I would stay. too,
and tire him out. SO feigning retreat
I sat down on rock at some distance to
await the result.
For three hours sancho kept his post,
only occasionally moving uneasily around.
H. was hungry and wanted his supper.
At last, after apparently long delibcr-
alton with himself, and in IN evidently
distressed state Of mind expressed by
more than ouc pla;ntivc howl he walked
several times around the tres, scratched
little moss and dirt over the letter and
tIotted of home. Now was my time
and seizing upon the precious missive I
too hurried homeward, eager to peruse
its contents.
1t was nearly 10 o'clock when in my
room at the hotel I opened and read the
note which was as follows:
"Nu prG,iDus Harry:
II fear they have discovered our design,