The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-03
DESIRES MISTAKE.

clover blossoms, and the brook wendln
It's melodious way under green masses OF
peppermint; and Mr.. Carey. who had
walked a long distance and had just
fallen into doze, under the refreshing
shadow Of a gnarled applc-tree, started
galvanically up at this ungentle ad-
dress.
'.Ma'am," said he. 81 assure you I am
mot trespassing; L"
But his apologetic words were cut
short by the rafting of stout stick on
the stone wall close to him; and in an
other moment belligerent- looking red
COW came plunging through the high
grass. directly toward his haven of re-
fuge.
He started to run, but his foot catching
IN the guarded root of an ancient tree, lie
fell h adlong. The cow executed ahurdle
leap over his PROSTATE form and van
ished in clump of hazel. bushes; and a
resolute, bright-eyed woman of some 10
years came 10 the rescue, with Hopping
sunbonnet tied over her ears, and the
stick balanced across her shoulder.
''Don't striker pleaded MIR. Carey,
'1'm getting of the premises as fast as
lean. I assure You didn't know was
trespassing.'
Desire Wclland blushed very prettily
rs she pushed back the sunbonnet and
endeavored to ad .ust her luxuriant red
brown hair, which had broken loose from
It's pins.
ooh, I'm so sorry" said she. "It
wasn't you meant at all, sir; it was the
COW who had got into the cabbage patch.
Did l hit you with the stick2 But I
never dreamed of any one but Bossy
being there. Oh, do let me run home
and get the camphor bottle"
Slowly Mr.. Carey raised himself to a
sitting and then to standing posture :;
slowly he felt his knees, elbows aud
collar bones.
'I'm not hurt" said 'he-''not to
signify, that is. 1t wasn't your stick,
nam; it was the roots of that old tree.
It's enough to startle any man, don't
you see, to hear himself caled-an old
scamp"
''But it wasn't you I meant" breath
lessly cried Desire; lit was the old COW.
Won't you let me run to the house and
get capcine plaster4 oh, do, please. {"
Eesire was fair to look upon, in spite
Of her forty summers, with big black
eyes, laughing, cherry-red mouth, and
cheeks just Drowned with the heal!hful
hue of mountain bree.es Alr. Carey felt
himself gradually softening as he looked
at her.
"No," said he, Tdon't care for cap
cine plaster. But I've walked good
way. and l should like a bowl of coffee,
If it's handy"
ooh, pray come up to the house them"
said Desire. ats only step across the
orchard. Oh, that cow, that COW! We
must certainly have her hampered after
this"
"Perhaps," said Mr.. Carey, solemnly,
as he endeavored to straighten the
edges of his hat, ''you know family by
tho name of Welland, who live here
about. Two old MAIDS, who manage
farm all By themselves. Very peculiar
females, have been told"
Desire stood still and began to laugh,
while the deep crimson sutfused her
checks.
"Why," cried she, ''it's me and NAL
vina. We arc the Welland gills."
1t was Mr.. Caley's turn to flush and
look awkward now.
ooh" said he. "Well, it don't mat
TOR. l have business at the WelIaud
Farm-that's all"
'Isn't it strange that things should
happen so!" cried Desire, opening the
gate into the dim, shadowy orchard.
where scarlet lines grew in the tall grass,
and robbins darted in and out of the
dropping boughs. "There's the house.
You can see it now. Malvina and 1 have
managed the farm ever since father died.
Philo-that's our brother-has q house
and an estate of his own, and his wife
don't want any single relations. But
we've done very we'll, every one says.
Here's the place; and here's Malvina."
Miss Malvina was diligently hoeing
sweet corn in a uau's hat and boots.
She was tall, Amazon;an sort of female,
with high check bones. hair cut short,
and masculine way of leaning on her
hoe. She looked sharply around at the
sound of footsteps.
'Is it the new hired man. said she,
''Then, Desire, you may tell him that we
don't want help that comes at this time
Of day. I'll haze no eight hour men on
my place"
''Oh, Malvina, hush" cried the
younger sister, in despair. Its a
gentleman on business
In came brother Philo from the back
yard, with an auger in his hand.
ofh:" said brother Philo, wrinkled,
har6 featured man in blue overalls and
boots tha: looked as e they might have
been carved OFT Of lguum Wit 4. BUS
nes<9 1t a Mt u sewn nj ,chiHc, s'p,se,
OF a new pa ent reaper, nor any o those
labor r-sav:n' humbugs b cause"
''lt's about your Cousin Rolf" said
Mr.. Carey, "Paul Welland's son. He's
come back from Australia. He requested
me to come over here. as I happened to
be passing this way, and see what his re-
lations would do about giving him
home"
At these words Mrs. Fhilo Welland
emerged from the currant bushes where
she was picking the sparkling, ruby col
ored fruit to make ely. For Mrs. Philo
believed in always picking her neigh
boris fruit before she began her own.
IA home. indeed!' said Mrs. Phlo.
aIt's what always told you. l'hilo. Saws