The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-11-13
Mrs. Bliven called loudly to Leona to


But the moment she opened the "best
bedroom door, where the old lady kept
her choicest treasures. she uttered shrek
of dismay. There, on the floor, in Sc
ries of jagged strips and indistinguish-
able de ebris, lay Mrs. Blivenss famous
Lcghorn bonnet!
''Goodness mel" cried a shrill voice,
"what's the matter?"
And Leona became conscious that old
Mrs. Bliven had toiled heavily up the
stairs, and stood close beside her, peering
over her shoulder. Her face grew black
as night.
ooh, Aunt Blivcn," gasped Leona,
chow could this have happcned?"
sT see through it all, plain enough" !"
said Mrs. Bliven. "You needn't trouble
to tell any lies about it, Leona Parish! I
heard what you and Myra were talking
about yesterday morning-about the old
lady and the bonnet that was shipped to
pieces and the blame laid on rats. It's a
very smart, ingenious plan, 1 don't
doubt; but somehow it don't suit me to
have such very smart, ingenious folks
about my premises. So, if you please,
I'll dispense with the rest of your visit.
The horse and wagon are at the door,
and little Peter will drive you to the de-
pot as soon as ever you've packed your
trunk"
''But, Aunt Bliven, I never"
81 told you I'd have no more false
hoods" sternly interrupted the old lady.
81 don't know what sort of consciences
you girls have, in this age of the world.
Be silent, say, and obey me-"
And thus, in all the bitterness of un-
merited disgrace, Leona was turned out
of the house, that was beginning to be
unspeakably dear to her.
James Bliven, when he came home,
was thunderstruck.
ssNIother, for heavens sake" cried he,
twhat is this? The girl has no place to
go to-"
s'Let her.go back to the boarding
school she came FROM" said Mrs. Bliven,
sternly. 'I'll have no double dealers in
this house,"
'I'll 60 after her and bring her back"
"You'll do as you choose" said the
old woman; 'but if Leona's the girl I
take her to be, she won't come with
you"
Asudden wave of despair swept over
James's soul as he recognized the truth OF
these words.
"Mother," he cried, "you'll forgive
her! You'll send for her to return-foI
my sake, mother?"
But Mrs. Bliven shook her head.
''No girl that isn't frank-hearted and
true can have home here!" she reiter-
ated.
Yet, in spite of all this, the house
seemed strangely desolately without Le-
ona's light step and winning smile.
Late at night there was loud knock
ing at the door. 1t was Myra Manton,
come ack.
ssThings is all right" said she. They
was frightened more than they was hurt.
Absalom Atkins always was coward,
and I amt goin' to spend any more O. my
time foolin' with 'em; so I've come back.
Was you surprised when you seen Waggy
was gone? The dog" in answer to Mrs.
Bliven's puzzled look, "that Cappen
Jackson left in my charge. When seen
the mischief he'd done, I jest ketched
him up and left him to Cappen's sisters
Mary Ann Jackson, at the crossroads,
and afterward it occurred to me you
might miss him and worry for fear he was
lost"
81 never once thought Of the dog"
said Mrs. Bliven, impatiently.
"And the bonnet9" said Myra. "I'm
powerfully sorry, but"
"The bonnetl" said Mrs. Bliven.
"What do you mean, Myra9 What are
you talking about9"
'sYou don't tell me you never diskiv-
cred it?" cried Myra, bursting into
laugh. "Well, do declare. What did
you s'pose done it2"
'sDone what2"
"Why, worried that ere Leghorn hat
O. your'n into ribbons! 1t was Waggy,
that's who it was! Pups is always mis-
chievous, and I think he's the worst I
ever seen. meant to told Deacon Ship
mans boy, that helped me to tote my
satchel to the daypo, to explain it t. ye,
but we was pretty nigh bein' left, and
furry and fustcr driv it all outen my
head"
''Mrs. Bliven stared at Myra.
'It was the dog, after all, then," said
she.
"La me, who else did ye suspects"
cried Myra. "Where's Leona9 I fetched
home some O. them puce-colored poppy
seeds and slip o rose geranium for her,
caused I knowed-Goodness, what's the
matter with you, eh2 What are you
looking at me that way for2"
By the very earliest morning train
James Bliven went after Leona, With a
letter from his mother imploring her to
return to the farm:
"I'm an old woman" wrote Mrs. Bliven,
"but amt too old to own when I've been in
the wrong. Come back and I'll guarantee
you and me won't have any more quarrels."
Leona came back, and when once again
she crossed the threshold she was James's
promised wife.
"Mother will be pleased at the engage
ment as I am myself" said the young
man, rapturously.
And Myra's kind eyes shone cordial
welcome, and Mrs. Bliven herself came
to meet Leona, wearing the simple straw
bonnet with the jet dagger and the black
ribbon bows.
"It's dreadful becoming" said she,