The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-07-13

Floss. Very bright and 'piquaht she
rocked in her riding habit as she drew
lcin beside him.
"Sir Owl, Pm on my way to meet
Miss Alice now; and while Pm gone I
hall expect you to comb your hair, part,
it in the middle, put on a clean collar,
pin a flower in your b%uttonholc, and act
very aesthetic and dude-like." And
with a merry laugh, she rode away.
For weeks after Alice Mays arrival the
house was filled with company. Vane
devoted himself almost entirely to her,
leaving Lottie to amuse herself. At tho
frequent picnics Alice shone as the chief
star of the occasion. She might be gone
all day, but returned with her elegant
costumes as perfect as when she started,
while Lottie would lose her parasol and
fan, and tear great holes in her dresses,
and came home with her face and hands
us black rs a gypsy's.
When Vane and Alice went riding,
Lottie would show off Floss and jump
hedges, thus provoking earnest remons-
trance from Vane. Then the brown
eyed witch rode faster than ever, send
ing back gay peals of laughter to the dig
niticd couple whom she left to bring up
the rear.
Of late Vane thought he detected a
certain recklcssness in Lottic's freaks.
When going up the mountain, where it
was so steep that he ~dismountcd to lead
Alice's horse, she galloped on, putting
whip to Floss, who rushed up tho rocky
ascent, tearing up pebble and turf, over
wide chasms, and along narrow lodges,
where a single misetep would have hurled
pony and girl down to instant destruc-
ton.
Vane tremblcd; but to hide his fears,
he gave Alice his full attention. i
One day he went into the library, and
found Lottic seated on the window-sill.
She was unusually quiet. She had been
watching Alice, who, with book in hand
was p~romcnading on the lawn below,
under the shady trees.
"She is very beautiful" said Vane,
looking towards the graceful figure. 81
wonder if she would marry mc2"
"Vane Winton, haven't you asked her
yeta"
"Not yet. Perhaps I shall to-day.
Do you think 1 had better do so?"
"Most certainly" And she ran off
singing mcrrily.
In a short time she was tearing down
the road on Floss at breakncck speed.
After she had gone, Vane went out to
Alico.
"What ails Lottie?" that lady in
buried.
"Lottic2 I do not understand"
GAS she passed me just a few moments
ago to mount her pony, I spoke to her,
Let me go, Alice May! she snapped,
and I noticed tears in her eyes. And
then she rode off SO rccklessly that I am
fearful she will put Floss in q bad en-
per-"
Alice spoke lightly, but Vanc's face
paled as he walked back to the house,
and waited anxiously for Lottie's return.
Presently he caught sight of Floss be-
ing led slowly back by a strange man.
Then followed n carriage with two men.
one of whom held a girlish figure in his
arms.
cit took place down on the river
road" explained one of the men to Vane
"The girl was riding like the wind
when all at once the pony made a plunge,
and the girl landed among the rocks"
Mr.. and Mrs. Winton came hurrying
out, and the greatest excitement pre-
vailed. They took Lottie into the house,
where it was ascertained that one arm
was broken, and several ugly cuts and
bruises had been received.
When Lottie opened her eyes, Vane
was at her side.
$50 away - she cried.
"Never, darling, for I love you'll"
"How can you love me and marry
Alice2' she pouted.
81 am not going to marry Alice"
"Why, Lottie, can it be that you are
jealous" said Alice, taking her hand.
''Vane and I do not want each other"
II was very jealous" confessed Lottie,
''but please don't go away" And he
did not. "When you spoke of mar
rying Alice, I did not care what hap.
pencd to me-"
"But you refused me-"
II know it, but only to tease you"
Just as soon rs Lottie recovered there