The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-11-02

And this as we'll:
-Forturatus ct lille deos qui novit agrestes,
| Panaque, Silvanum que senemP
-Nymphasque sorores!" finished Leland,
smiling and moving his head slightly in
the direction Of the ladies, who preceded
them.
Quite to the point. That is pure
truth" cried Metcalf, gayly. -~
hear that. Clara?"
Yes. father.
And did you understand it?"
No, father"
I do not believe you. my dear! l DO
not believe you!" the old man laughed
heartily. DO not believe her, Mr.. Le-
land; women have the faculty Of under
standing compliments in every Ian
guage."
This conversation brought them to the
house, where they sat down on the ver-
anda to enjoy the view.
Leland praised judiciously the farm and
well-kept lawn, accepted an invitation to
dinner the next week, and then discreetly
retired, Aattering himself that his intro
duction had made favorable impression
upon Nathan Metcslf, but regretting his
apparent want of progress with tho fairy
footed daughter and her friend Mildred
Lester.
He was in error.
This young man." said Mr.. MetcaH,
when he was left alone with his daughter,
has some touch of the ancients, which
is something; but he still resembles his
father, whom I never liked. His eyes
and his smile recall some traits Of his
! admirable mother, but positively, my
dear Clara I am afraid Of him. His
principles, they say, are vicious.
| Who says so, fsther?"
| Current rumor, my child"
Current rumor, my dear father, is Of
ten mistaken, and always exaggerates.
For my yart, I like the gentleman, who
seems thoroughly refined and at his
ease"
Bah! I suppose because he compared
you tc nymph in the fable.
IF he compared me to nymph In the
fable, he was wrong; but he never ad-
, dressed me q word IN English that was
not in good taste. Before We condemn
him let us see for ourselves. 1t is a
habit you have always recommended to
You cannot deny, Clara" said the old
man with irritation, that he exhales the
! most decided and disagreeable odor of
| New York-of Fifth avenue itself! He
! is too polite-too studied! Not the
! shadow of enthusiasm-no fire OF youth!
He never laughs as I should wish to see
q man Of his age laugh; young man
should roar to split his waistband!"
There, father, you don't mean sll you
say, I'm sure: And for my part, repeat,
I like him; his manners please me-.
Mildred, Lester, and Edith had gone
away together, Mildred holding Edith's
hand. As they entered the door Mildred
whispered in her companions ear:
Isn't he handsome gentleman? I'm
sorry he's gone. / like him so much.
CHAPTER XXI.
LELAND SECURES AN ALLY-THE RAePIcKER
During the succeeding week Leland
met Nathan Metcalf and the several
members of his family more than once.
And after the dinner to which he had been
invited he determined, upon mature re-
Election. on bold move-a move that had
the effect of plung,ng Clara Denton in
the most profound astonishment.
He asked her in low voice, and with
peculiar emphasis, If she would be kind
enough, at her leisure, to grant him the
honor of moments private conversation.
Clara Denton opened still wider those
large eyes of hers, blushed slightly. and
replied that she would be at home the
next afternoon at three o'clock.
At the appointed hour he presented
himself before her.
he found her in the garden, seated
under group of young trees, forming
rustic bower.
She was fond of this place; the most
tender memories we're associated with it.
She was seated at small rustic table,
covered with pieces of wool and silk, on
low chair, her feet elevated on stool.
and working on piece OF embroidery
with great apparent tranquility.
Warren Leland, an expert in all the
niceties and exquisite devices of the fe-
male mind, smiled to himself at this au-
dience in the open air. He thought he
fathomed its meaning. Mrs. Denton de-
sired to deprive this interview OF the con-
, fdential character which closed doors
would have given it.
This Was the simple truth. This lady,
who was one of the noblest of her sex,
was not at all simple. She had not
passed ten years Of her youth, her beauty,
and her widowhood without receiving,
under forms more or less direct, some
dozens Of declarations, which had In
spired her with Impressions, which,
although just, were not alwa5s too flat
! tering to the delcacy and discretion Of
! the opposite sex.
Like all women of her age, she knew
her danger, and, unlike most of them.
she did not love it. She had invariably
turned Into the broad road Of friendship
all those she had surprised rambling
within the prohibited limits of love.
ubo raoiiest of W1rren Leland for
/ private interview had seriously pre-
] occupied her since the previous evening.
! What could be the object of this mystic.
rious interview? She puzzled her brain
| to imagine, but coald not divine.
| It was not probable that Mr.. Leland. at
the commencement of their acquaintance,
would feel himself entitled to declare his
passion. However much the renowned
gallantry of the young man rose to her
memory, she thought SO famous lady
killer as he might adopt unusual meth
DDS. and might think himself entitled to
dispense with much ceremony In dealing
J with humble country woman.
| Animated by these ideas, she resolved
to receive him in the garden, having re-
marked, during her short experience, that
open air and wide open space were not
| favorable to bold wooers.
Leland bowed to Mrs. Denton, then
seating himself, drew his chair nearer to
hers, mischievously, perhaps, and lower
| ing his voice into q confidential tone,
:, said
Mrs. Denton, will you permit me to
confide a secret to you, and ask your
counsel?" :,
She raised her graceful head, fixed