The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-10-29

upon the horse with him when he went
out for ride.
His mother would always remon-
strate with him about acting 80, but
then he would always good-naturedly
reply:
"Oh, she is all I have left, mother,
and let us have ride together. And,
of course. she ALWAYS did.
Finally Ray decided to spend le"
weeks in London, and while there ne
intended to pay Sir Charles Willoughby
a short visit, but when he arrived at
the great city the streets were hot and
dry, and the very sight of them made
him sad, for he and Lenora had spent
q few weeks there on their trip round
the world, and now, as he passed along
the streets, those happy days were all
brought before him so plainly that he
Ionred to get out OF the city as soon
as possible; it was those miserable
feelings that caused him to 60 out to
sea his friend at least week before ne
had intended. When Ray arrived at
the fine old gray-stone home that had
given shelter to the Willoughbys for so
many years past, he did not find Sir
Charles at home; he did not expect
Ray 30 soon, and had run down to the
city on some business the day before.
About three o'clock in the afternoon
Ray arrived at this cool, shady coun-
try homestead, very warm and dusty
from his ride, and he felt rather weary
and sad that day. Of course he was
sorry to hear that his friend was not at
home, and yet he was rather pleased,
for it gave him q good chance to rest
| for few hours. He was taken to his
apartments and after removing the
dust as we'll as possible, he threw him
self upon q sofa and soon fell asleep,
and did not waken up until just short
time before dinner.
Of course he was awfully hungry
who is not after long drive in the
country-and then especially if you are
able to sit down to such dinners as
Lady Willoughby serves. Ray did full
Justice to the meal, and after it was
over he had very pleasant chat with
his hostess.
"That shaded drive down there looks
too cool and tempting, and if your
ladyship will permit I will take short
stroll under those leafy branches.
Perhaps by time I return, Sir Charles
will have arrived"
II am sure I have no objections,
Lord Bristol, and you will certainly
enjoy the walk, for it is very tempting,
indeed. That is the drive that leads
to Churchill Castle, and the old place
is exceedingly charming now, since the
new lady arrived"
Ray had recently fallen heir to the
title of lord, and would now be com
PEELED to spend most of his time In
England.
Ray took his hat and cane and start
ed down the cool shaded drive toward
the castle, wondering all the while
who and how old the "new lady" was,
and who was her husband, or whether
she was unmarried.
Many strange thoughts passed
through his mind as he walked on.
Suddenly he looked up with a start,
for he was no longer under the shade,
but the bright rays Of the setting sun
shone full on his face. He looked to
the east, and there in the distance
stood the cd Churchill Castle.
"Ah! I did not think I had gone so
far, but as T am 30 near to that grand
old place I'll Just walk around here
and take peep at the West Park :
they say the lakes are full OF swans
and it ALWAYS does, for some reason or
other, rather soothe my nerves to see
them swimming over the smooth dark
water"
There were number of parks on the
estates, but this West Park was noted
for its many swans, and Ray soon
found himself again in the dep
shadow, and the grass under his feet
was like the richest moss. He walked
some little distance, past some very
rare flowers and large towering statu-
ary until he came to one of the lakes.
AS he passed along occasionally he
would catch glimpse of swan glid-
ing over the waters, through small
opening of the foliage of the bushes
along the edge of the water.
AS Ray SGOOu CuSre III Iue ua1 oAuo0
ow of the heavy foliage. his large,
handsome eyes feasting on beautiful
nature, there came over the lake to his
ear sweet music!
All! He listens, while his heart
stands still in his bosom; the MUSIC Is
sweet voice that he thinks he has
heard before, and the singer is playing
guitar.
Eark! 1t becomes louder; the voice
comes nearer.
cam I dreaming, oh, spirits, or do I
hear with my natural ears?"
He trembles in his excitement as he
stoops to separate the bushes and peep
through at the lake, for it seems that
the sweet voice is there.
All! What do his eyes rest upon
that so fills this mans soul with icy
that he drops his cane and lifts his hat
from his head; he kneels there upon
the grass and thanks God, with happy
smile upon his face.
It was this that he saw through the
bushes.
About half way across the lake came
two large, spotless swans, swimming
side by side, and each had on a har-
ness made of gold cord, and each was