The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-09-05
CHAPTER RI.

CHAPTER n.
Nellie Amidon became aware ut last
that the young mlr had gone, and that
she had made no acknow wledgement OF
his services. She did not regard him as
q hero at all. She did not, of course,
know what he had done. She had in
truth scarcely noticei him. Still she
could not be woman without taking
noe, by some instantaneous process, OF
the details of his dress and general ap-
pearancc. The photograph was not un-
pleasing. A young man of two or three
and twenty, fairly good-looking and
fairly dressed.
When she found he was gone, her i'm
pulse was to run to the window and speak
to him, but he was already half-block
away.
"Who was that young man2" she
asked, coming back to her father.
'What, has he gomez" said the old gen.
tlcman. 81 meant to inquire his name
and residence"
"Well, he must think we are curious
barbarians, said Nellie, and straightway
began to distress herself over her lack of
courtesy. Whatever other offenses might
be condoned, however high crimes and
m:sdemeanors might be palliated, for i'm
politeness there was no forgiveness, either
in this life or the life to cone. "But
you will see him when you are well
again, and tell him how very much
obliged we are, won't you, papa2"
"Certain!v, my DEAR" said the old
gentleman; but as he languidly specu-
lated on the matter it had rather diff
cult look. To find man whose name,
residence and occupation were unknown
was good deal like finding needle In
haystack. He was not utterly cast
down, however. The usages of society,
with him, were not matter OF life and
death.
The young man, on his part, had felt
no surprise, and perceived no lack OF
courtesy. He quite appreciated Nellie's
preoccupation. Certainly he would have
enjoyed word of recognition from such
a very pretty girl. 1t would have been
a great pleasure to tell her that it was a
satisfaction to he of any service. But
had she not run against him on the step2
Had her arm not rested for several
seconds against his? All, reader, he was
Young. Alas! that we cannot always be
eighteen and twenty-thrce; that it can
not always be June; and that there is
other work for young men and maidens
beside helping elderly gentlemen up the
steps.
In the unexpected leisure that fol-
lowed, he had a chance to 60 over the
matter again and again. The doorstep
scene, to which he succeeded in adding
many romantic little details, occupied
nearly the whole field of vision. Still,
he was a sensible fellow on the whole.
He knew that no significance was to be
attached to the little episode. He did
not 50 much as walk by the house in the
daytime. He expected no recognition.
1t was not certain that he wished for an
&C ,uaintance 9TH the subject of his
fancies. His Judgment was in no way
influenced by his visions. He knew that
the dau .hters of wealthy men in Wash
ington did not, as rule, marry Treasury
clerks-discharged clerks at that. 1t was
horribly unjust, he thought, that he
should have lost his place through an act
of humanity. And yet in spite Of the
consequences he could not thi"k that he
would do differently if placed again in
like circumstances. He decided to make
full statement, in writing, Of the case,
and ask to he reinstated. This he did,
and submitted to the slow grist of the
gods.
While he waited, his health demanded
a good deal of exercise. He found none
so healthful as walking, and no street so
wholesome rs that on which Nellie lived.
1t was only,in the evening that he walked
there. He always felt his pulses quicken
as he looked up at the window, but he
never saw her. What difference does it
make, he thought, since nothing could
come of it, He had not so much as
thought of inquiring who lived in the
house.
Mr.. Amidon was not dangerously i'll.
But for that unlucky fall, the attack
would have passed of in moment. He
had been considerably shaken, and what
with the heat and Nellie's fears, stayed at
home for several days; then, feeling
quite restored. he started down town one
morning. He looked curiously at the
place where the accident occurred, as if
he expected to see a dent in the pave
ment. He stopped a moment at the
drug store, drank glass of soda. water,
and chatted little with the proprietor,
with whom he was well acquainted.
-the-way," said the latter, after
remark :ng upon his apparent health,
''you had rather close call"
Mr.. Amidon opened his eyes. He
didn't like the .llusion to his apoplectic
tendency, which he was quite aware Of,
and to which his physician. indeed, had
called his attention, but which it suited
him to ignore.
ooh. no." he said carelessly; ''it was
inst a little rush of blood to the head" "
81 did not mean that, but the car
riace," said the druggist.
Mr.. Amidon opened his eyes still
wider. Somebody was evidently quite
off the track.
"The carriage2 What do you mean3'
"Didn't your friend tell you how
nearly you were run over2"
Run over? My friend9 The young
man who walked home with me, you
mean2"
"He seemed to take matters quite into
his own hands. I thought he was
personal friend"
II never saw him before" said Mr.
Amidon. ;.Tell me about it."