The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-23

were happy except the old favorite
Jeanette. She had reigned queen Of
all ever since she came to the mansion,
and now that she saw the possibility
of losing her place, and being COM
PEELED to give it to person that she
considered no better than beggEf,
she thought she was much-tried per-
son.
Every moment she was expecting
her hearts idol, Raynard Bristol, but
he did not come.
Noon had passed, and yet no Ray.
"Oh, T am so 'fraid that shall not
see him before it is 700 late, and then
-merciful heavens! what shall 1 do?
He is Just like his mother, and now she
loves that hateful creature almost as
much as she does him. Hark! Ah,
there, the great hall clock strikes
three, and he is not here yet. I shall
soon have 70 be dressed for dinner, and
if cannot see him before then, 1 fear
all is lost"
Jeanette was pacing to and fro in
her rooIl, wringing her small, white
hands in her misery, while Lenora sat
quietly in her beautiful parlor, reading
o book.
She still sat there reading, when car
riage stopped at the front gate, and a
tall, fne-looking, well-built young map
lightly sprang from the carriage and
ran quickly up the steps.
He seemed to be at home, and SO ne
was, for he was the master Of the man
sion. Lenora saw from her window all
that passed at the gate, and wondered
who the tall, handsome gentleman was.
A deep shade of crimson tinged her
cheeks as the gentleman glanced up at
the window where she sat. His eyes
rested few moments on the pretty face
at the window, while pleased light
shone in their dark brown depths.
II wonder who that young man was I
Oh, how wish I was away from here,
or had not promised Mrs. Bristol that
I would 60 down while the guests are
here. I am so afraid that some one
may be here from Chicago! Well, ]
have little headache, and will not go
down for dinner. never could live
through it, for I suppose that every
person who attends parties stares at
strangers like me. shall never forget
that party at the Noll cottage"
And she shuddered as she thought
of all she had endured while she was
prisoner.
While Lenora was worrying for fear
she might be discovered, and possibly
stolen away from her present happy
abode, Ray Bristol and his mother
were in the library talking of what
had occurred since they last saw each
other.
"Who are the guests, mother, that
are here this year?"
Here is the list, Ray; you know
them all"
He took the long slip of paper,
and hastily ran down the column.
"Yes; but, mother, who is that
young lady that occupies the blue
rooms? She has such pretty golden
curls."
In spite of his great effort, he could
not conceal the anxious look in his
eyes. His quick, watchful mother saw
it, and could not tell whether she was
pleased or not.
why, Ray, she is very dear little
friend of mine, that is staying with me
for the present. Linu Rice is her name.
but I call her my little Lima. She
came here in o very strange manner,
but I have not the time to tell you
about it now."
"Oh, mother! please do not excite
my curiosity SO, and then not satisfy
itn
II have not the time now, my dear
boy, to tell anything-for-hark -
there is the dinner bell now. You must
hurry and dress, for no doubt Jeanette
wants to see you"
Mrs. Bristol left the library immedi-
ately, but Ray sat there for some time
thinking about what his mother had
said, while o strange, unusual express
sion rested on his handsome face.
II wonder why mother would not
tell me all about her, and why she
blushed so when I asked her who she
WASP"
We'll, no matter now. I shall see
the young lady before sleep tonight.
11c seemed somewhat relieved after
coming to this conclusion and went to
his room to dress for dinner.
ITO DE CONTINUED