The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-10
THE FONTENOY FLATS.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
"Weu," said DIrs. Dedfold, "we've
got to move. That's very plain"
Yes" said Miriam, ''we've got to
move. Nobody could stand that silk
factory that's being built opposite, with
It's whizzing machinery aud the livery
stable in the rear"
"The next question:" said Rosamond,
Sis where VIC are te 60"
A dead silence followed this proclama-
ton. The Dedfold family eyed each
other, and nobody spoke until Mr.. Ded
fold, bald-headed man, with weak eyes
and fringe Of sandy whiskers on each
side of his face, broke the portentous
silence.
"For my part said he, ~ should
like little place in the country, where
we could grow strawberries and toma.
toes and see the green grass.
s'Pa" demonstrated Rosamond, who
was q fine, tall young woman, with a
good deal of color and sparkling black
eyes.
"Quite out of the question:" said Mrs.
Dcdfold, tossing her aquiline nose.
81 don't see that" reasoned Mr.. Ded-
fold. "Doctor Fortnum has offered me
the refusal of that pretty Gothic cottage
of his--not more than half an hour out
on the New Jersey road-with four
acres of ground
':Doctor Fortnum, indeed" said Mrs.
Dedfold. II wish he'd mind his own
business. Because he chooses to burrow
in the country himself, is that any rca-
son he should compel other people to do
so?"
"There's quite pleasant little socie-
ty there" suggested Phebe, the young
est of all the Dedfolds, who had an ap-
ple-blossom face, with inquiring blue
eyes and the palest shade of yellow hair.
:'Society!" echoed Mrs. bedford
s'out on the New Jersey road! Frogs
and mud-turtlcs and owls-that's the
sort OF society, I imagine"
81 haven't seen anything that liked
better than that fiat on Fontenoy
street." said Miriam.
: "Too high," said Mr.. bedford.
"Only eighteen hundred dollars a
year." pleaded his wife. And such To-
cality!'
"It's over confectioner's shop"
That's no objection" insisted Mrs.
bedford ''The finest flats in the city
and all the frst-class hotels, you know
Are over stores. And D'Artagnan's is
an exceedingly select place. The Stat
fords and Ballingers live in the Fonte-
noy Flats. too!'
0Ir. bedford eroaned.
81 never did fancy living in a fiat, u
said he. "Packed in with everybody
else, like sardines in box!"
81 think it would be perfectly de-
.lightful," said Miriam, ecstatically.
''It would certainly minimize the
trouble Of housekeeping" observed her
mother.
"And it would be so stylish" added
Rosamond, clapping her plump, white
hands.
"And you know, Paul." added Mrs.
bedford, ''you always leave these do
mestic affairs to me-"
The head of the house rose, with a
shrug of his shoulders.
"Well, have it your own way" said
he. "Where are my gloves? Phebc,
did leave my cane down stairs2 Why
child, what arc you crying for?"
IL don't know" faltered the yellow
haired lassie, her head dropping for ar
instant on her fathers shoulder, as they
stood together in the ly-lighted hall
81 think it's because we've got to move
And do so hate the idea of fiat"
$50 do l." chucklcd Mr.. Dedfold
''But cheer UP, Phebe-bird! We can
always have our own way, and mothe
and the girls are determined, it seems
While Phebe and her father were ex
changing condolences down stairs, Mrs
Dedfold and her two elder daughters, il
the room above, had resolved themselve
into committee of the whole ON th'
question Of ways and means.
awe must have new carpets through
out" said the sage na.ron. sand
don't see how We can get along withou
an Eastlake par!or suit and L piano
lamp"
"What will papa say?" breathed Mir
lam.
"Wcll, I don't care" flashed cut Ro5
amond. '.Now that we've really go
into good society"
cor, in Short saucily interrupted
Miriam, "now chat you arc going to b
the Countess Scasliosa--"
"Don't, AIirry.': cried Rosamond
blushing and laughing. "What nos=ens
you are talking:'
"Well, I don't care he is very hand
some,r declared Miriam. "And tha