The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-04-28
in a very admirable manner" he said,

are the most easily deceived. Cassia na
not accepted the situation; she has gon'
round it, you may depend on that. L
she had accepted it she would never have
been so very pleasant about it. l dar'
say she has met Herbert Rives some
where, and that she is meeting him ever.
day."
"Great heavens! Mrs. Bauvare! VIII.
did you not suggest this view of the ca ST
before"
because I have the ball on my mint
at present, and I cannot possibly attene
to two things at once, and do justice
to both. Beside. was afraid, if I told
you my suspicious, you might in some
way or other mismanage things"
1t was the day before the ball, and the
house was topsy-turvy. Cassia seemed
to be far too busy to meet any one thai
day, and the colonel felt himself SO fal
relieved from duty that he went off fol
long ride over the estate. Thus it hap.
pened that, being detained several times
BY the overseer, it was mid Afternoon
when he reached the little wood that was
Cassia's and Herbert's trysting place. a
will turn in there" he said to himself,
land have smoke, and perhapsa siesta
under the trees"
The lovers could not see him, and they
were far too much occupied with their
own conversation to hear his approach.
Milly perceived the colonel first, and
made some ctruitless attempts to warn the
careless couple, but they really saw moth
ing of their danger until the AIRY father
stood almost hefore them.
His first feeling was that of compla-
ency at having found Cassia out; but his
second. one of intense anger at her. He
handed. her her hat, which was lying on
the grass, and said, with severe polite
ness, II presume Mr.. Rives is not aware
that he is trespassing; there is, however,
notice on yonder tree to that effect"
'Oh,yes, he is, papa; but he asked my
permission to trespass on you for a Little
rest and shad., and I gave him it." She
said the last word with an ominous flash
of light and coor in her eyes and cheeks.
Herbert apologized with frank polite
ness, and seemed determined to win at
least ceremonious courtesy from the
colonel. He spoke of the weather, and
was answered with an affirmative bow;
and at last, being desperately determined
to obtain an invitation to the ball, he
said, II hope you may have pleasant
evening for your dance tomorrow, COL
onel."
The colonel stifly said he hoped so.
II have not been invited" said Her.
bert, with the charming straitforward-
ness of youth. 81 do wish that you
would ask me, colonel"
The colonel "beleved Mrs. Bauvare's
list quite full" and after that there was
nothing for Mr.. Herbert to do but mount
his horse and gallop away.
"Papa, I am ashamed of you" Those
were Cassia's first words. ~ never
thought you could have been less than a
gentleman"
"Cassia, am ashamed OF you. Inever
thought that you could have been less
than a lady"
II never have been. If you were
going to shoot a man you would bow to
him, and treat him like gentleman.
II do not consider Herbert Rives a
gentleman.
Il am sorry, for I am engaged to
him"
"Such nonsense"
"And l intend to marry him."
The colonel kept Il stern silence, and
only showed his extreme anger by the
passionate way in which he struck down
the grasses and flowers with his stick.
The ball went off with great eclat, and,
in spite ofthe colonel, Herbert was pres
ent, not in the house, indeed, but in the
gardens, and on the balcony after the
guests were gone; and Cassia had spoktn n
to him dozen times-in fact, had ar
ranged with him the time and place of
the next meeting.
For it was now a trial between wise
old parents and a pair of dauntless
young lovers, and the lovers got the best
of it. They met by night and they met
by day, and they never met twice in the
same place 1t Vas impossible to detect
their me :sages, or lay any plan to prevent
their meeting. Every servant on both
p p'antations was in their interest, and
they had safe and happy meetings in the
shut-up drawingroom and the cool sweet
dairy when Cononel Bauvare and Rivcs
senior were seeking their disobedient
children couple Of miles away.
In the mean time troubles of many
kinds were gathering round both house
holds. Great political questions which
had little to do with love and lovers were
tearing every city home in twain.
"Tnesc are times when even brave
man may hoaorably fly, but Cassia must
90 with me-" said Herbert to himself,
and an hour arterward he was saying the
same to Cassia.
81 dare not stay another day, beloved;
if I do, l must betray my allegiance to
my country, or get into serious trouble
with my father and the people here. For
even father is urging me in this matter.
He is determined shall compromise my
self, and if it comes to fighting, as be-
lcve it will, he will gladly send me away
in the hopes that it may forever separate
US. Darling, life would bevery bare and
cold without you"
lit viii be death to me, Herbert; but
we can at least die together. Perhaps
over or graves they will know how
cruelty they have treated U.s."
"Dear Cassia, we want to live together,
not die together. I would rather call you
wife than have new Shakespeare write
a new play about us. A home is better
than mausoleum, sweet. Will you 60
with me?"
II will 60 wherever you 60, Herbert"
''Thcn farewell till morning. Meet