The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-03

Yes; it was none other than Master
Dipper who was furnishing the chief
novelty of the entertainment.
Not vet more tn N twenty four hours in
his new service, he had already sue
ceeded in thoroughly interesting Adele,
and rendering himself indispensable to
Boncourt, by the manifestation of ver-
satility of attainments, rs welcome as
they were unexpected. No accomplish
ment of bizarre nature had seemed to
be outside of his experience and his i'm
itative ability.
Both master and mistress had been
charmed, more or less, the latter by his
handiness about the house, and the
former by his precocity in everything
relating 10 sporting matters. And even
the natural prejudices OF the servants
had been overcome in manner that
could hardly have been expected.
He had prompted Madame Roncev lie.
i'll the interior floral decorations Incl
dental to the present entertainment, with
suggestions that had surprised and
charmed her. He had given out, there
tofore, occult points in gardening and
horse wisdom that had astonished the
gardener and groom. He had inducted
the cook into the mysteries OF Mexican
tortillas. and of new condiment, chile
COLORADO, wnlcn was at once voted as the
superior of curry. He had bewitched the
housemaids with odd, wild songs and
aboriginal dances.
When Boncourt had returned from The
Beeches on the preceding evening, hot
and wearied from the long ride, and
ve1ed with the proftlessness Of the mis-
spent day, it was Dip who had presented
nln UnnhartnIIv
improved in his becoming new clothes,
and obtained permission for the personal
concoction Of the half forgotten, magical
mint-julep which had so restored his
dropping spirits, and revived so many far
away, pleasant recollections.
1t was likewise Dip, who had, that very
morning, furnished boisterous amuse-
ment for some of the earlier guests.
mostly fresh young squireens Of
shallow pates and 1horsey" proclivities,
by an alteration with the groom in the
stabIe-yard, which he had characterized
with such gushing, effortless, and original
profanity as was q revelation to their
rural intelligence.
And lastly, though not leastly, 1t was
to Dips suggestion to his new master that
the entertainment owed this innovation
of the transatlantic minstrel extravagance
whivh was proving such an attractlrS
feature, at least so lar as the gentlemen
guests were concerned. And there was
the youthful prodigy now, calm, alert and
smiling, brushed and oiled, irreproach-
ably necktied, and with great flashing
breastpin borrowed for the occasion from
his indulgent masters effects) decorating
his spotless shirt-front, and fairly gush.
ing with outlandish merriment and song.
Though the affair had been designed as
o gentlemen's party, in the main, there
were number Of ladies present, rich
tradesmen's wives, for the most part,
whose presence was owing to wise fore.
thought of Madame Ronceville's, who had
of course been consulted in the matter Of
invitations. Strange as it may seem,
Miss Alworth was included among the
rest.
CShe was about the only we'll bred
young girl whose acquaintance Adele had
thought it worth while to form in the
neighborhood ms yet; and the lattec, moro.
over, wished to judge for herself as to
what extent. if at all. the rivalry limited
at by her brother might be taken into ac-
count.
AS for Gvendoline herself, she would
gladly have remained away; bnt her
father, who accompanied her, had pre-
vailed upon her to accept the invitation.
Mr.. Marlowe and Mr.. Croak were like
wise among the guests, the lawyer at
Gwendoline's side, and these were
grouped at one end of the table, while,
clustered about the host and his sister, at
the other end, were Noel and his init
mates, chief among whom were Sir 81 r.
ry Wilding and Lord Squanderall, the
latter a profligate young sprig of large
estate. and the former somewhat older
and of stronger character, though equally
reckless and extravagant.
tTo BE Continued