The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-12-26


in order for the night. Erergy was in
every movement of her trim, spare figure,
and kind of hopeful content and cour-
age blended with the kindllncss and
humor that ilIumincd the brown eyes.
She was adjusting herself mentally to
the new turn affairs had taken, with that
ready willingness characteristic OF her.
Il cou .dn't do differently" she was
saving to herself. There wasn't but
me to do it anyhow: and the money will
be real help this fall. The house needs
somcthin. laid out on il, and l want TO
send Martha's girls some hing by and
by: and now shall have little mere
for missions, home and fore gn, too;
and can get some of those books I've
been wanting" And she paused IN her
ilitt ny to and fro, to look lovingly ut
the already well-stockcd shelves OF the
massive secretary. and thoughtfully at
the empty space in the newer bookcase
beside it. "Yes, am not so sorry rs l
M ght be. Twill be quite piece OF
work, though, before it's through.
However, I guess l can manage"
"Quite piece of work' it proved in.
deed to be- The threshers came, stald
week and departed. Close upon them
came the carpenters crew; and just rs
they were well settled, came the m st
dreadful Of ALL Mr.. Sterne's friend, the
superintendent of the new mills. Miss
Hannah had word that he was coming,
and sir. Stcrne drove over with him at
supper time. lie was in haste, and
stoppcd only to say that his sister was
no better; the fever was having long
run. ucy was about worn out, too.
'And this is the gentleman we spoke OF,
Hannah, that you said might stop here
spell. I think he's an cd acquaintance
of yours
And Mr.. Stcrne had driven OF before
she had had one good look at the man
before her. He liftcI his hat thea and
held out his hand with smile.
You used to know me, Miss lloitt.
You can't have forgotten how many
times we've tru1gcd up the hill to school
together, and how many times you did
my sums aud helpcl me out with my
parsipg, in the little red school house
over yonder. Or, if you've forgotten, l
haven't"
"Aleu Maynard! I had no idea it was
you that was coming! | didn't really
know who it was, come to think, but l
didn't dream it was your
''Lut you'll take me Just the samc2'
For answer she led the way into the
house, with pink cheeks, shaking of her
confusion US best she could.
The little home was very CHEEKY. The
slant rays of the setting sun streamcd IN
between the plants in the bay-window
and gilded the bindings of her books
and made great reflections from the pol
ishcd andirons. And in the next room
was spread the dainty tea-table, with its
crimson cloth, its gittering glass, its
tempting array, and its vase OF flowers
in the centre. For Miss Hannah was
persuaded that even "those met" no.
ticed and appreciated her flowers. And
the fragrance of freshly made tea, aud
the odors of browning biscuits, OF
baked apples, and other appetizing
scents, were in the air. And it was with
pleasure not at all concealed that the
new boarder took the seat she assigned
him. 1t CHANGED to be opposite her own.
1t was natural that the days should seem
to 90 by faster than ever, now. They
we're very short, anyhow, and Miss Han
nah was very busy. If any other ele-
mcnt gave new, sweet zest to daytime
task and evening talk, she did not own it:
Allen Maynard was still good and
true and brave and generous" though
his hair was turning gray. and ne had
been many times across the continent,
twice across the sea, once even around
the world. He had many things to tell
of people and countries and customs
known to her only through books. And
he liked books as much as she did, too,
and brought some of his own for her to
read, and sometimes new ones that they
read together.
The work on the new barn dragged
wearily, though Miss Hannah hardly
noticed that October was gone and
November was going, till one night she
heard the men say that they should just
about get done when the ground closed
up. And Mrs. S$erne came home; her
sister was convalesccn:, but she was
well-nigh prostratcd herself with watch
ing.
And now the carpenters would go in
week or two. at most. aud Miss Hannah
began to realize that the old life would
soon begin again for her. and that 1t
would be lonely. For Mr.. MAYNARD
must 90. too. How should she let him
know it2 Her hints fell unhccded, and
though the men spoke of going home,
and she of being alone once more, she
did not see that he noticed.
But it was her turn to be surprised
lite later. when he spoke of his plans
for the winter. and of business in Easton.
He would not be near, then, even tn
drop in OF an evening! She began to be
little lonely already. He had had
better position offered him, maybe. And
then she heard the men say that MIR.
MAYNARD was owner in the mills. both
ut Milton and aston. lie had acted as
overseer here because he was needed.
Some one less capable would do now, tor
affairs were running smoothly again. and
, the Faston mills needed his attention
And they said he had much other prop
! crty there. besides.
One mild, sunny day-au Indian sum-
mer afternoon-he came with carriage
to take Miss Hannah over to Easton for
ride. They drove to the mills and
around them; then about town. He
drove slowly past large. stately house,
| sugs estive Of gracious uses and gener-
Gus hospitaliteS.
81 bought the place two or three years
ago." he said. 81 have never rented 1t.
! 1t would make pleasant home, would
/ it not: Might it not be our home. Han
: nnh2 I hara tent II for ynl have