The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-15

| 4 rayorI1e or 1oSe1ne-standing by, was
rot to be more eager and searching than
ordinarily.
Miss Alwcuth, on her part, saw an e1-
suisitely dressed, nobly proportioned,
and remarkably well-preserved woman OF
about thirty-two, whom the masculine
| Judgment would have stubbornly set down
hs seven or eight years younger; blonde,
too, though with darker brown hair and
more passionate gray eyes tnan were
/ Gwendolire's own, and a clear, soft
complexion, suggesting no trace of arti-
6ciality, with pretty naughty features.
whose full, somewhat petulant, lips we're
apparently as temptingly fresh in their
ripeness as petted chlld's.
As for Madame Ronceville, she was,
nevertheless, O widow Of the world, and,
before speaking again, her keen survey,
more penetrating and comprehensive than
Gwenlolines, had forced her to acknowl
Idge in the young girl n youth and beauty
hyperion to her wn, and one whom, under
Tertain lights Of comparison, she might
Lave reason to fear rs rival.
Il am delighted to know you. Miss AL.
| worth, said Madame bonneville, smiling
pleasantly, and making room on the seat
at her side, though Miss Alworth re-
NAMED standing. You have been
brought up with Noel, have you not?
Yes. How splendid such a companion
ship must be. OF couSe, l am doubly
| interested in you on his account, and we
must not fail to be warm friends in the
future. Of course, yon must have heard
something of me before; Is it not so?"
1T is So" said Gwendoline, while
Noel tried to appear at ease by making
rude bouquet of jasmines and honey
suckles from the trellis-wor on the op-
posite side. And l confess to have had
some curiosity concerning you, madame,
since learning of your engagement to my
old playmate"
She said this with a pretty blush,
which might have meant either disap-
pointment on her own part or mere maid
enly coyness. Madame Ronceville prob
ably gave it the latter Interpretation, for
she not only smiled again but also
laughed pleasantly.
Confess, also, Miss Alworth, said she,
that You do not find me as your curiosity
or fancy had depicted me-"
Unjust 90 so to be truthful, replied
Gwendoline, simply. i find You much
younger and prettier than 1 anticipated,
and less Of foreigner. You speak our
language with even more purity than
most English women Of cultivation"
Madame bonneville blushed with mo-
mentary pleasure.
Thank sou, Miss Alworth,' she said.
laughing. 1As for my speech, it is easily
explained. Together with my brother
Alphonse, I have passed most of my life
Il mean my earliest girlhood-in the
United States, where, I think, the purest
English in the world is spoken, In
deed, but for my married name should
never be taken for French woman"
She went on chatting agreeably, but
presently interrupted herself with start
to say: But, pdrbleui you came here to
say something important to Noel. Those
were your words before you knew him to
be not alone"
There was now q suggestion of jealous
inquiry in her tone. Gwendoline hesi-
tated. The gracious politeness and
beauty of Madame Ronceville had, in
great measure, disarmed her of her pre-
conceived dislike Of the betrothed of the
man who she herself had long secretly
loved.
What I came to see Noel about lis, in
deed, important, at least to me- she
frankly admitted, after reflective pause.
1t relates to nv father-in fact, to our
future livelihood" And her lip slightly
quivered.
Noel looked up sympathetically.
Can it be possible! he exclaimed.
Adele, my dear, if you would not t-ke it
He paused, looking pleadingly at his
betrothed.
why, you foolish fellow! go right
along with Miss Alworth," cried Adele;
only leave me that bouquet you have ar
ranged so prettily. I shall merely expect
YOU back before Boncourt comes to take
me into ;Ho t.;5 august presence OF your
father and the lawyer.
She spoke apparently with genuine
impulsiveness, bat as Gwendoltne ard
Noel stro.led away toe ether, after MUIR
murine their thanks, she followed them
as long as she could with jealous and
suspicious eyes.
No one, to have seen her just then,
could have doubted the passionate genu-
ineness of her love for the young man.
1t was we'll, therefore, that she could
not follow the youthful pair after the
turnings of the shrubbery- bordered walk
had shut them out from her jealous gaze.
For still less could any one have then
seen Noel walking at Gwendoline AL
worth's side without perceising that he
inhaled the atmosphere of her fresh pres
snce with different sort of enjoyable
ness from that which he derived from the
companionship of his betrothed.
Indeed, he would hasten to conclude
that. if Adele Ronceville would hold her
Youthful lover to his homage, it would
be we'll that she should not accord him
a liberal allowance of Gwendoline's soei-
ETY.,
ITo pR C0NT1SuED.1