The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-02-03


her humble home. He was her faith
er's friend, and it was through his in
hucnce that Lefty had secured a posi-
tion as stcnographer in merchants
office, which enabled her to support a
widowed mother and brother many
years younger than herself.
II hope your mother is growing
stronger" Sias said as he seated him
self quite close to the girls side.
Indeed she is, sir, and I'm sure we
shall never forget how very kind you
have been to us, Mr.. Singleton"
ooh, NONSENSE! But when she loses
you, Miss Lefty, I'm sure she'll miss
you, for you are a model daughter,
and deserve the best reward such girl
can get, and that is good husband.
Do you ever think of marrying, Miss
Letty2"
ooh! there's time enough to think of
that yct," was Lctty's laughing re-
ply. 49,.
"A mistake, Miss Larendon, mis-
take, believe me. Early marriages.
mean the early marriages of females-is
to be commended. I pressed this view
on my nephew last night, and urged
him to marry. Jack is so far of my
opinion that he protests he will be mar
ried within a week. Miss Lefty, take
my word for it, you will be happier mar
ried to the man that loves you and can
give you a pleasant home. Suppose this
man speak of loved you to distraction,
as he does, and that his name was
Singleton, what would you say, Letty?"'
Uncle Silas had dropped formal "Miss,"
and his hand was laid carressingly on the
girls shoulder. Miss Larenden's embar-
rassment would have been very appar-
ent to her ardent lover if he had been
looking in her face, which he was not,
as he continued: "Letty, my dear, what
do you say to changing your name to
Singleton2 You will never have cause
to regret the step, for your husband shall
be your slave and adorer. You will
make me happy; and Jack-why Jack,
although the boy is too bashful to give
expression to this feelings, will swear
you are an angel"
Whatever emotions the old mans
words stirred in Lettys breast, she en-
dcavored to conceal, and it was in
calm and somewhat faint voice she muir
INJURED: ''If you wish it, sir, and if
Jack"
"Why, of course, we both wish it,"
he interrupted, and the infatuated Silas
proceeded to seal the contract with
kiss. Now his nephew could have told
that kissing is an art that can only be
acquired by patient study of details and
heroic perseverance in practice, and
Silas Singlcton's osculatory performance
was not brilliant success. With the
best intentions in the world he only sue
ccodcd in reaching the tip of Letty's
retrousse nose instead of her
lips, but he left the house as happy as
old age can sometimes be in the perpe-
tration of folly.
CHAPTER III.-THE DENoUEMENT.
sIetty, have alarming news for you.
Uncle Silas is thinking of getting mar
ricd. Married means, suppose, my dis
Inheritance. Then where shall I be, and
where, oh! where shall you be, Letty9"
''Always in your heart, dear Jack,
hope, no matter how your uncle may dis
pose of his fortune"
"Say, Lefty, what'll ye gimme if l
give ye letter, an if don't tell Jack
that I saw old man Singleton kissing
ye?" It was the enfant terrible of the
family, Lctty's small brother, who had
entered the room, with letter in the
hand he held behind his back.
ooh! you bad boy, I shall certainly
tell mother; and-give me that letter
exclaimed Lefty as she
snatchcd it from her brothers hand.
s'Eddie, my young friend" said Jack,
con principle I object to rewarding an
informcr, but here is a nickle, and
travel"
'sNow, Miss Larendon," said Jack
when he had closed the door behind her
little brother, ''I suppose you are ready
with an explanation.
Lefty read the letter very carefully be-
fore she answered him. "Oh! Jack, I've
made terrible mistake"
s'It would seem so, Miss Larendon,"
the young man said stfly.
"Jack, don't want you to be absurdly
jealous about your uncle kissing me, when
I'm just going to have good cry" and
there was culver around thesweet, wo-
manly mouth that instantly disarmed her
lover of all anger. 'There, there, that
will do, Jack; and now that you are a
good boy again, I'll give you the ex-
PLANTATION YOU ask for. Your uncle was
here last night and made proposal on.
behalf of you Jack, as Ithcn thought. He
intimated that you were too bashful to
plead your own cause. Poor man! he
didn't know of our secret engagement;
and when he urged me to change my name
to Singleton"
sI think can guess the rest. You learn
from that letter that he spoke for himself.
and that he regards you at this moment
as his bctrothcd."
"That's it, Jack; and, oh! what am
to do2"
"Ohly one thing that know of, dear,
and that is TO-" and the remainder OF
the sentence was whispered among Letty's
bangs.
The rheumatism had given Silas
Singleton a respite, and he felt in excel
lent spirits as he sat in the dining-room
of Lefty, when his nephew en-
tered.
"Unclc, III thank you for that check
of $780, ,0O0."
'What-what the deuce do you mean,
sir?"
"Only this, sir; I was married this
afternoon.