The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-07-31
FEARLESSNESS.
BY ROSE q. LATHROP.

mouth; but, as she is very dainty and
very beautiful, cont really do it."
The young woman who sat near him
as ne spoke, painting fancy work, and
who could not quite compete with great
beauty, thought that Balkan was show
ing off, being irritated by Gencvieve's
apparent indifference and was trying to
console himself by grumbling at her, al
though he would have been very critical
of any one else who dared to do so. This
young woman, who could reflect inteli-
gently, was, nevertheless, perfect child
in guilelessness. She could stand in
judgment over people, as child does,
and cause no antagonism at any rate, In
a nature as generous as her own. She
was the sort of girl who would remain
sweet and naive as an old woman.
Nellie Featherly looked round at Bal
kan, in moment, and responded:
''Now, there is nothing mysterious
about me-"
"You2 I should think not You are
so fearless, straightforward and anus
ing"
''You have not quite illusion enough
about me, I think" Nellie pouted over
her satin scarf, which was bursting into
flower and leaf. "You have made me
out just one of the ordinary, useful toss
me-aside kind of women, and, although
you are right, I do hate to hear the fact
repeated"
'sI don't care what you think of your
self or how you construe my appreciation
of you," answered Balkan, saucily. ~
am perfectly content with enjoying your
traits and sitting where you paint"
Nellie went on busily, with dozen
pretty attitudes and motions and a rather
dissatisfied expression of countenance.
Whether it was her work or her words
which annoyed her, Balkan was not sure.
s'That's exquisite, and no mistake" !"
he went on, peering over at the drawing
board on her knees, upon which the satin
was stretched.
':Oh, please don't say pretty things"
Nellie cried, "Somehow, you seem in
sincere to-day!"
sI? My dear Miss Featherly, I should
not hesitate to tell the truth, rather than
prevaticate. To be quite honest, l would
tell you the truth about anything in the
world you could ask me; though with
others I might be as silent as Genevieve,
instead of confessing to actualities.
eff ever want to ask you anything I
will remember this" the young amateur
reioined, with the incest smiles into Bal
kan's earnest face.
Cecil Morton sauntered across the room,
during the little pause ensuing and said
that the day was too good for staying in
the house. Why not go to walk before
dinners The young people, eight when
all told, were visiting some dear old
country gentlefolks to whom Nellie was
nearly related, and who had asked them
out of town for week of sleighing, and
other winter fun, the snow being in bet
ter condition than for years past. That
evening they were to 60 sleighing by
moonlight and it was super-energetic for
Morton to talk of walking. But we all
know how these restless people of energy
or muscle rout us out of little lazy tete-a-
tetes and freside luxury. Neither Nellie
nor Balkan wished to be stigmatized as
10th to exercise and so they rushed out OF
the parlor to find the others and get well
wrapped up against coolish ramble;
while Cecil Morton smiled to himself in 4
mirror to think of the commotion he could
effect at will.
Nellie and Genevieve paired off, in
tentionally, as the group left the hall
door ten minutes later. Something agi-
tated Nellie's beautiful friend, as the for
mer was able to discover through girlish
intimacy, which is very deep thing in-
deed. Genevieve's face looked calm and
pale as she said, in low, rather tragic
voice, to the affectionate girl beside her:
s'My heart is almost breaking. I am
so wretched, and SO surprised. To think
of it! Never have I loved before, and
every one always on their knees to me.
And now, the very one who absorbs my
thought-cold, cold, cold!'
"Don't be silly, Gen. You're so fred
up at finding any one you can become ro-
mantle over, that you are as blind as a
hickory nut, beside being dreadfully
awkward when he's around. Moreover,
Hall Balkan is perfectly splendid-so
handsome and so manly! don't wonder
wonder you like him tremendously. And
the idea of his not coming under your
spell AS for me, just know he thinks
you are irresistible. I know you are in
his mind'H
"You love me, and try to think me a
vanquisher of all hearts, no matter how
brave and free," murmured Genevieve.
"But my former conouests have not been
an-convincing, because Mr. Balkan is
really the only true, fine person of envia-
bic position and means whom ever met
in our set. There seem to be thousand
foolish bachelors to one downright
hcrom
II think Hall is fine fellow" Nellie
again admitted, softly, thrusting her lit
tie hand upon Genevieve's arm for few
steps, and then stopping her arbitrarily,
and letting the others catch up with
them. Chow far north we seem" she
then exclaimed. II am sure the Arctic
Sea is over that hill of pines by the
meadow. Ribbons of white cloud ano
this exhilerating atmosphere make mt
feel as if were somebody else! Oh, We
are explorers. Is that Polar bear or
snow drifta" she concluded, pointing tt
white banked gate post by the Cattle
lane.