The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-17
Father, what are you saying, when
ION know narfactly well that ] had al.

Father, what are you saying, when
you know perfectly well that had al
ready provided for US an agreeable home
elsewhere?" exclaimed Gwendoline, more
sharply than her wont, for his pusillan-
unity was especially provoking in tho
presence of the servant. Pray, 60 right
away to tho upholster'ers, and ask Mrs.
Grub to send her furniture-van hero Mt
once. It is yet only seven o'clock, which
will give US ample time to get everything
to Aunt Joan's before nine. will try to
have all our packing done by the time
you corae back But you might tell Mrs.
Grub's boy to come and help me with the
heavier articles. Here, dear, here are
your hat and cane"
IF you please, miss" sai the servant,
stepping forward as Mr.. Alworth disap'
peared under the stimulus of these sner-
getic instructions, do let me help you
And John will be glad to lend you hand,
too; though it's bitter grieved We all are
miss, to think of your leaving the Oh
rooms in this way"
Gwendolne thankfully accepted th'
profered kindness.
In less than tw o hours the modest house
hold effects of the old bookkeeper and hil
daughter were on the way to their new
quarters.
Mr.. Gilbert Marlowe stood upon his
porch, with hard look in his eyes, as the
two passed out of the gate to follow after
the van. He spoke no word OF kindness
or farewell, though he was somewhat trou.
bled in his mind. Itwas not, however, by
reason of the mean and brutal action ht
was taking.
What will Noel say when he learns OF
this, wonder?" he muttered, as the iron
gate changed behind the e7ic.ed tenants.
However, fancy I'm the master OF my.
own house; and Of course have to stand
by Croak in everything. But suppose
there might have been really some truth
in the old fellows vaporings to him.
Cad! shall have bite off my nose t.
spite my face if that little beauty should
really turn mp some day as Lady Squan'
derall."
Aunt Joan was by no means relative
of the Alworths, the familiar prefix to he,
name being the one generally accorded II
her by all who knew her. She was
well-to-do fsherman's widow, whose com.
Portable cottage occupied little patch
Of arabic land at the foot of the cliffs:
on the road that wound thence uF
through the rocks, and directly by JAS
mine Lodge, whose handsome facade and
noble grounds were in plain view from the
vine-trellised little porch Of the lowliel
dwelling.
There Aunt Joan had lived for many
years, with her two stalwart sons. who
had remained unm ,rEed though already
in middle life, and we're prosperous fish.
ermen, being the joint owners of 8
stanch lugger, the Gadfy, which enjoyed
an enviable notoriety even as far as the
Channel Islands for fast sailing and fort.
unate hauls.
But eighteen years or so before, during
Mr.. Alworhs prosperity, the family hnd
been much more poorly circumstanced,
and it was during that Nme-especially
bat the death of Aunt Joan's good man,
who was drowned at sea-that it had
known sundry acts of kindness and
timely assistance at the hands Of the
then proprietor of Jasmine Lodge, which
had never been forgotten, and now were
being gladly reciprocated by the hospita.
BILE offer of new home to the distressed
father and daughter.
There was still some of the soft sum-
mer twilight remaining when the uphol.
sterer's van reached Aunt Joan's garden
gate, and Gwendoline, who had been
following with her father at some dis.
tance behind, now quickened her pace, in
order to he the first to meet the widow,
leaving Mr. Alworth to come after hel
with his slower walk.
She naturally felt little embarr ,ssed
in not having had time to forewarn Aunt
80 IN of their acc ptance of her shelter,
ho1 tyq
before. But her eacs of mind was
speedily restored by perceiving the good
old woman smiling welcome at the gate
as she approached it, while Peter and
Paul, of the Gadhy, were already assist-
versifed load from the van to the interior
of the cottage.
MY dear child" cried Aunt Joan. run
ming out of the gate, to take Gwendo.ine
in her arms and kiss her. Il was certain
you would come 10 me sooner or later
indeed, so certain that everything has
been prepare for your coming these two
days. But where is your father?"
Gwendoline looked ok, and saw that
her father had stopped at the roadside to
talk with some one whose figure she
could not recognize in the gathering dusk.
he Will De mere III Noueut' ueuI
Aunt JOAN" replied she. cor .lially return.
ing the old DANES hospitable caress.
And let mo add, dear, that if he should
neglect to thank you as much as do for
your goodness you must ascribe it solely
to his feeblsness and distress"
"Fiddlest:cks, my child! Don't yo1
suppose knowi" said Aunt Joan. But
bless me! you will he run over" And
she hastily drew her companion out OF
the way of a fine open landau, which wa,
of that moment being driven by.