The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-10

|p'oyment. He appeared cneerler man tnen
If at the same time he seemed less digni.
fed. He went on chatting ramblingly,
but chiefly concerning the entertain ment,
which naturallyled him into enthusiastic
e1patiations upon the perfections OF Jas
mine Lodge, and on what glorious thing
it would be if he could once more call il
his own.
Surely, Gwenny, said he, rubbing hit
hands, there is not such another place oi
its pretensions OH the entire coast-line
from Dover Head TO the Isle of Wight
Not such another-not such another!" he
repeated, dreamily.
1T is pretty enough-that is, without
entertainments of a certain kind, fol
which have no fancy" aesented Gwen.
doline, while spreading the tsble-cloth.
1Ah, but you are right, Gwenny! There
was no decent music whatever, ana there
was altogether too much drinking and
card-playing, and that innovation of the
minstrel. show, with the ridiculous imp
in attendance-that was in O taste which
cannot countenance. But, bless you,
childl We we're highly honored in being
invited there.
Doubtless.
what! Why, few days ago I could
not have dreamed of such an honor! And
then what sort of entertainment, how
soeyer questionable, could mar the beauty
Of those divine grounds2 Never. in even
my recollection, did the parterres look
so rayishing as to-day. Oh, the flowers,
the flowers! I felt like rolling among
them-like smethering beneath them
like drinking il their odorous breathings
till died!"
Her sidelong glance was full Of pro-
found pity as she saw him clasp his with
cred hands in species Of ecstasy.
And to think, he went on again, after
Ito think that but little consenting word
from my Gwenny's lips would make thia
cliff-wonder, this patch of paradise. all
ours again! ALI ours again, with money
to support it in becoming style! It seems
like dream-like dream!"
He stole timid glance at her rs he
finished spe king, but she made no m.
swer. Hints Of this kind from her father
had been gIowing more and more fre.
quent and explicit day by day Of late,
and, though they had not ceased to give
her pain, she seldom answered them any
more.
But her silence i'll the present instance
seemed to cause him more than usual un.
easiness.
did Noel return to the house with the
rest of rs this evening?" he presently
asked, as though feeling forced to change
the subject.
"Only part CT the way" replied Gwen.
doline. He went of with Sir Harry
Wilding. I hear that he will not be back
| for several dsys-that flom The Beechei
| he will accompany several gentlemen on
! @ trip to London before returning home
THAT is odd. I should have thought
he'd have come home first. to make some
preparations. By the way, Gwenny, did
did you not sadden him in some wsy?'
Il suppose did, ;" replied Gwen, lit
tie abruptly, as she finished setting the
table and began sleeping the tea. Noel
was put out because l preferred Lord
| SauandeIalls escort to his. He's per-
fectly absurd. Tea is ready, father.
The old gentleman drew up to the table.
Might might I ask, Gwenny," he
asked, with becoming meekness, while
she fastened his napkin under his chin,
how he's absurd?"
What question:" cried Gwen, trying
to laugh, as she poured out the tea is
it not notorious that MIR. Noel Marlope
is engaged to be married to Madame
Ronceville? Why, then, should he make
a pretense Of caring for me, by fits and
starts, as he does? She remarked it as
We were leaving the Lodge to-day, and
must have felt mortified over it. And
who could blame her for feeling so?"
True, true; I didn't think of that,
Gwenny I'm so forgetful, and you are
always right. How delicious this tea is
and even the toast seems better thar
usual. Yes, yes. By the way, Gwenny.
how oddly one thing will bring on an
other! Do you know, there was some
pne else, as We were all struggling home
together, who also seemed greatly put out
at the attentions that you we're receiving
from Lord Squanderall, which, Of course,
we're without significance, he being areal
lord. and the grandson Of duke on his
mothers side"
Gwen made no answer, but looked
little impatient.
Il say, Gwenny, did-did you not hear
what said2" he again ventured, after 9
pause.
-Yes.yes."
But the person I referred to was Law.
yer Croak himself, Gwenny. 1t is odd
to see man at his age SO hopelessly IN
love, I know. But then I suppose he
feels himself, by this time, somewhat
privileged with regard to you, and when
he saw himself suddenly altogether ig-
nored, as it were, for the sake of that
beardless lord,ing, who, OF course. could
not dream of a marriage outside OF his
own sphere, why, it seems but natural
that the poor, love-lorn old man should
feel somewhat desolate, somewhat-"
H. fakl ,.tn h,rc frny
Gwendoline, stamping her foot undc'
the table, and flashing her eyes upon
him; will you ha, e done? Or what is it
that you are raving about?"
He looked up, somewhat startled, but
still retaining a modicum of his queru-
lousness.
What can you mean by speaking Of
that horrid old man in connection with
privilege regarding me, father" con-
tinued the girl, striving to temper her
tone, but still determinedly. Pray do
not encourage any more OF his visits,
and that will be the end Of it. I'm weary
and sick of enduring him as long as /
; have"
But Gwendo!ine, my daughter, yonn
! really cauuur n,o"n
Il mean just what 7 say, father, and il
you don t." LIN TO keep away. l shall.
Dear me! what will become OF us7 J
, have been cherishing the thought that
you might really come to like him-that
through you, we might become prosper.
Gus and care free once more
Il presume you have" she exclaimed,
with as nearly tone Of contempt as his
weak senility and selfshness ever "rune
out of her voice, but it is not my fnul,
if you have been self-deluded. tolo