The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-28
Lillian.

from Arizona to marry his old playmate
Janette Prayn, and had furthermor,
bought an interest in Grayton Mills ane
gone into business with all his cnsrgy
The wedding was arranged for October
and MEANWHILE
Yes. He was bound to Janette. There
was No forgetting nor ignoring of the
fact-but Lilian2 His heart tucged al
Its chain each time she spoke to him OF
looked his way. The silken bond had
become fetter. Janette YVES the Janette
he had always known-a womanly pres
ence, gracious and gentle; but he had
come home to find Lillian beautiful sur.
prise. Bright, audacious, wilful, almost
reckless, she darted about from gayety
to sayety like a humming- bird among
roses. A dance here, ride there, a moon
light row, flowers, music, littl, notes of
invitations, boxes of bomb )ns-from
weeks end to weeks end the bright
routine went on; and Jack, whom it did
not in any way concern, kept up his i'm
patient protest.
Cant you see, Janette, that it is
wrong for you to allow Lillian to go on
In this way! A girl of sixteen should not
b, permitted such entire freedom. You
ought to curb her little 1t is wrong to
the child-an injustice. You stand in
the place of a mother"
lack, dear! AS if possibly could
curb her!"
''We.l, her flther-some one ought
to-
"But she doesn't do anything wrong.
She likes to be gay-that is natural; and
these young people about are boys and
girls that have grown up With her
neighbors and elias: mates. I do not see
how she possibly could be harmed"
''But she is away from home nearly
every day, and all her evenings are taken
up with Tom, Dick and Harry. Her own
people scarcely get glimpse of her."
well, it's vacation now, you know,
and beside, in little while, when I am
gone, Lillian will have to settle down.
She will know the weight of care soon
enough"
Janette was smiling tenderly, but she
could not smile away the gloom from her
lovers face.
Il have scarcely patience with you,
Janette, he said, almost angrily. ''Set-
tie down2 The girls utterly spoiled for
anything like domestic life. DO you sup
pose she will ever fill your place to your
father and the children? 1t was very
unfortunate for her that she was left with
out mother"
Tears filed Janette's eyes. She bit
her lip hard in the effort to restrain them.
Why was Jack always so severe in his
censure on Lillian, and through Lillian on
herl Why did he alone seem to regard
with intolerance this bright young crea-
ture whom all the world loscd2
This sad questioning had been growing
daily in Janettes meek, loving heart.
Suddenly Jack flu" himself down beside
her and kissed he. ch ,ek.
"Don't be sad, dear. I only meant
that she-that Lillian seems to indepen-
dent of US all, and for so young a girl
but of course, it is not your
fault, Janette-and shall I-shall I rea-
son with her2 Do you think it would do
any gooda"
but, you might try"
Jack did try the very next morning.
Janette took the children and went down
to the llage, to give him an opportu-
nifty to deliver his lecture in good form.
He found Lillian dawdling over a late
breakfast, untidy as usual, but as usual
s1quisitely clean. Her wrapper had a
torn sleeve tht showed the ivory of one
rounded arm-her hair was tumbling
from its silky braids. She looked like a
fresh-crushed rose.
Jack had dressed himself with unusual
care; but, then, he was going up to the
city on business presently.
"Well, Liliann'
"How nice you look!" she said, with
q smile, bright and indifferent. 81 am
so tired. We did not get home till three
this morning. I waltzed my feet right
through my slippers"
"We"
"George Archer and Harry Chase came
home with me. I'm sorry I'm so tired.
We arranged to go up to Eagle Rock
this afternoon. l don't see how cam
81 don't see how you can" He had
walked away to the window, but w
came back and seated himself near her,
at the breakfast-table. "You are puz.
kle to m, Lillian"
"a puzzle, am II Will you have some
coaee. 1t isn't very warm. Why am I
puzzle, Jack?'
"Well. not puzzle, either; only it
seems strange you are so different from
Janette.'
SHOULD you wish me to be more like
herr" she asked, with a curious half,
smile, balancing spoon carefully on the
edge Of her empty cup.
SIN one respect, yes. Janctte would
not spend her time running about with a
crowd of insignificant young men, for
example,
"But am very insi significant person, >
she retorled, calmly.
"You Will let yourself become insig-
nifcant." he said, gravely. "You are
wasting your thought and time on people
who are no way worthy"
Li!ian's spoon fell with clatter int
hra,p. She rose and crossed the room
quickly.
"Ah, now you are angry" Jack said
leaning lack and looking after her. "Yor
are Offended"
''Not bit offended. only thought
could Listen to you lecture with some
comfort. This is Harry Glasses glove.
She lad begun to mend the torn finger
sis he one of the ins gniticant people
Surely" she looked at him archly, 'yo,
can't say that of miilionaire's son!"
oboul1 not cav II in anu cosa If