The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-05-12
"Julian, before Sydney comes in I wish

your family Is Olu anu WCalCly, ooA
suppose you have the means which en-
title you to address young lady OF hcl
position. But what want to tcel mos
is that you will be very gentle and lovlne
to my darling when I am gone. Sydney
does rot care much for money, but sht
would break her heart if you forgot her
NY income dies with me Julian, but
have shown ny confidence in you by
leavin' YOU all my savings"
-. lear madam, I cannot, indeed
canno.--'
'Hush! here is Sydney; say nothing
to her of this conversation.
1t was almost the last they had TO-
ecther. Two days a(tcrward the Dacres
Sailed for England, and Julian felt him;
self to be more absolutely alone ana
wretched than he could bear. In his
misery he thought of his father. He
was the only creature that understood
him, and he resolved to go and see him.
He found him. as he expected, alone
and Just arranging the menu OF a dell
cate little supper.
II got your note, my dear boy, and
stayed at home to see you. Make yourself
comfortable, Julian; your mother Is
gone to reception. My dear boy. how
handsome you are! And that suit is per:
feet. Who made it? Melmont2 Yes,
suppose Melmont made it; there is al
ways character in his coats. And how
about Annette2"
"My dear father, let us understand
each other at once on this subject. |
have thought it over, as you asked me,
and I can't possibly marry that woman.
She is ugly, vulgar, and dowdy. Now
would you like to have pro u" point her
out as your daughter? Would you,
really?"
:'Wcll, here comcs supper. I hope you
will enjoy it, Julian: I cave very pleas
ant hour to its arrang 'mcnt. All! dear
me! life is a mistake in many respects
but lie Gran1e's dinners are always salts
factory. Pots and pans become almost
respectable in his hands"
Julian knew that one Of the nearest
wavs to his fathers heart was to praise
and enjoy the good things he provided !;
and the young man was not reilly disin-
clincd to do 50. Perhaps Mr.. Raleigh's
estimate of LIE Grandc was little ex-
travacant. but he certainly exercised a
wonderful influence over those for whom
he condeSccnded to prescribe. Both
men, after eating his artistically prepared
dishes, were delightfully."- human
elder calmly and checrfully philosophical; :;
the younger more hopeful and more con-
fdent in himself and in his good fortune.
Suddenly Julian took out of his pocket
sachet an exquisite picture of Sidney,
and said: "What do you think of that
face. father9"
"I think it is perfect! lovely! ex-
quisite! That is no fancy picture:
Julian"
"No. thank God: it is real woman; :;
and I love her with all my life and
soul"
"Pooh! pooh that is common feel
ing at twenty seven. But I am curious
who is she 2"
Then Julian frankly told his father the
story of his acquaintance with the
Dacres; how he had met them at Mani
tou Springs, and travelled with them
throug III the high table lands of Colorado,
and visited them at their hotel in New
York. "Sidney and I are engaged,
father; but how I am to keep her have
not the least idea"
"Where do they live? 2"
"Near Downham, Norfolk"
"There are a great many queer places
in the world. Julian, and one cannot be
expected to know about them. I never
heard of Downham, Norfolk, assure
YOU. And she wants you to live there,
YOU say, in her old home. Then, of
course, she owns the place."
II should suppose So"
"I should think you might have made
yourself more certain about things of
such vital importance"
sMy dear father, only thought of
winning Sidney. Look at that face; you
would have done Just as I did"
"Perhaps I should. She is lovely,
very lovely. 1 never had daughter.
1t would be very easy to love that dear.
beautiful creature. I'll tell you what I
will do for you, Julian. I will see
Ouimby in the morning, and tell him
that he must raise the rents sufficiently
to bring in ten thousand dollars a year
more. He can put two thousand on the
hotel property very we'll, and the rest on
the stores near the slip. will give you
every cent of the rise. If she has nice
old house. ten thousand dollars a year
will 90 long way in those old English
places, and I shall be proud to entertain
such charming daughter whenever you
are little tight"
After this happy thought, both men
were supremcly satisfied. Mr.. Raleigh
felt as magnificent as if he had given
away an estate; Julian. as content as if
he had received a tangible fortune. 1t
was comfortable settlement, and they
were both IN the most amiable and conf
dental of humors.
In the course of another month Quimby
had arranged the rents in most salts
factory manner. julian was eleven thou
sand dollars year richer, and few other
people were little poorer; but, as Quinn
by said, cit was time the estate took q
step upward, and it was a great wrong tc
all the property owners in the city tc
keep rents down" and certainly Julian
felt opposed to wronging all the property
owners in the city, many Of whom were
his personal friends.
When summer came, he determined tc
60 and see Sydney; but when he was
nearly ready to start, Mrs. Dacres died
Julian was informed that she had left
him es, 900 iu the English funds, and with
this information came letter from Sgd