The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-11
PUT TO THE TEST.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.


myself, after the recipe you used to like
when you were a little boy--and you've
scarcely tasted it!''
SITS very nice, mother" declared the
sunburned young Apollo, swallowing an
additional mouthfrl of crabapple cake
With All effort, ''and you're the best cook
in the world; but you see I'm in such a
hurry. Jack, are you there with the
horse and buggy3"
"Going to see Eloise Elton, I s'pose2"
said Mrs. Merrywise, with true maternal
jealousy.
''I'm going to ask her to go to the
chestnutting picnic with me next Tues
day, mother"
"'Twon't be of no use," oracularly
spoke Mrs: Merrywise, beginning briskly
to clear away the table.
ssOf no use, mother? And why
shouldn't it be of use?" demanded Jo-
than, stopping short, with his shrimp
pink necktie half tied.
Mrs. Merrywise shrugged her plump
old shoulders.
e'You must be blind, Jotham," said
she, "not to see that every girl in the
neighborhood is cleaned bewitched with
that New Mexico major fellow, with his
gold shoulder-strap and buttons, and his
little cap worn on one side, and them end
less yarns he's always spinning about the
brave things he's going to do, and the
valiant actions he's done! There amt
never nothin', I've noticed, about what
he's doin' now!"
"He's stranger in town." said Jo-
than, going on with the shrimp pink
bows, "Of course they have to be polite
to him."
s;Insh he was stranger yet-and
~ It no 'of course to it as I know
tied Mrs. Merrywise, Gathering
Us together with great noise.
know is that Honor Belknap has
led with her young man about him
:, and Bessie Morton has left off
steady company with Simon
-"
Il you don't suppose that Eloise-"
k'pose she amt much different
ether gals" tartly spoke Mrs. Mer-
Use, who had not yet forgiven the af-
front of her jelly-cake.
lothian made feint of laughing in
credulorsly as he jumped into the buggy
and gathered up the reins to drive away.
But when he came in sight of the Elton
cottage his heart sank within him; for
there, sprawling comfortably in the piazza
hammock, appeared an apparition in un-
dress uniform, with a gold-laced cap on
the floor, and good deal of well-waxed
moustache visible. Eloise Elton sat
crocheting on a low chair close by, and
Sadie, her elder sister, was hemming
khandkerchiefs on the piazza steps.
Eloise colorcd little, jumped up, and
Sformed the ceremony of introducing
~ Bathurst, of the -th Calvary, U.
V nMr. Merrywise. lothian
bowed - - Major nodded, and
made grasp at his cap.
Chow de do, sir2 Glad to meet you,
I'm suah!" simpered the man of war.
"Merrywise! A good name-ha, ha, ha !
Its we'll to be merry and wisei it's good
10 be honest anC true.
Eyes, know" unceremoniously in
terrupted Jotham; "and perhaps you
haven't forgotten the last two lines of
the verse, sir:
Its well to be off with the old love
Before you are on with the newp
s'I've called, Eloise, to ask you if you'll
20 up Rattlesnake Hill with me, on the
chestnutting picnic, next Tuesday"
The Major sat up in his hammock,
pushing the perfumed curls from his fore
head.
"She can't-ha, ha, hal" said he.
"Already engaged, Mr.. Merrywise.
Your humble servant-ha, ha, ha Rattle
snake Hills that the name of the
mountains An odd name, very. We used
to have lots of rattlesnakes around when
was quartered in West Virginia. Don't
mind 'em any more than snails. Once
you get used to the rattle, it's all right.
I've way of gripping 'em by the back
of the neck, and hey, presto! out comes
your pocket knife Or your handy dagger,
or anything you happen to carry, and the
business is done! don't know how many
rattles and dried skins I have got at
home. You can easily charm the crea-
lures, too, once you get the knack. One
of my men, Hindoo, taught me-"
''Indeed?'
"Thc simplest thing in the world
quite the simplest. said Major Bathurst.
"I'll show you, if youd like"
"Thanks! I needn't trouble you" said
lothian, frigidly. "Then you won't go
with me, Eloise?"
"I'm ever 50 much Obliged" said
- Eloiac, s!iyiy glpncins up from under her
cyelashes, ''but I've promised Major
Bathurst"
lothian bowed and silently turned
away. Eloise, perhaps little con.
science stricken, followed him to the
gate.
"Isn't the Major perfectly delightful3"
said she.
"Humph" commented lothian.
ssI wish you could hear the thrilling
stories he has told lis of lion hunting in
Arabia and elephant shooting in Ben
gal." -,
81 must try and dispense with 'em, "
drily uttered lothian.