The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-03
CHAPTER XII.


membered Friday was reckoned an un-
lucky day to marry on!
CHAPTER XII
GEORGE PUZZLES ME-
The blinds were closely drawn at Lang
dale Grange, shutting out the whitened
wintry landscape. The inmates moved
about with solemn faces and hushed
voices, for in one Of the upstairs rooms
that had been set apart for her to live in
lay Mrs. Hargreave-dead.
Amid such surroundings my bride and
I began what under ordinary circumstan-
ces would have been called our honey
moon.
The funeral arrangements were made at
the request of Mr.. bod, Of Wexham, the
lawyer whom Mrs. Hargreave had EN-.
ployed to draw up her will, and when We
returned from the cemetery on Monday
morning he referred to the fact for the
first time. With o smile which was
afterward better able to interpret, he
placed the document in my hand.
Although my life Of late had seemed
made up of surprises, must own that
the contents of that will staggered me.
With the exception of two or three lega.
cies in furtherance Of certain religious
movements in which Mrs. Hsrgreave ap-
peared to have been interested, the whole
Of the real and personal estate was be-
queathed tome.
How like poor mother!" exclaimed
George, when, on the lawyers departure
gave her the will to read. "She said
must never marry poor man, 80 you see
she has made you rich"
And that was how she took it-she who,
for the second time, as it seemed to me,
had been defrauded Of her rights-my
beautiful, unselfsh. noble-minded wife.
Never had loved her more truly than at
that moment, and when the lawyer was
gone, and we were alone, I told her so.
But somehow she did not seem to COM
prehenG. Of what use to her, she asked,
were money and land? Mother gave me
to you, Jack-me for whom alone she
cared to live. Why, then. are you SO
much surprised that she should also trust
you with what she called mere dross?
Then, before I could answer, changing
the subject with suddenness not unusual
with her, but to which had scarcely yet
become accustomed, Jack, she said, Il
have not consulted you about Edna, but
Of course you could have no objections to
any arrangements might maker"
-She has left. You want new maid?"
I asked innocently enough; for, not hav-
ing seen Edna since our marriage morn
ing. I naturally enough concluded she
had eone-thst We should probably never
meet again-while feeling had pre-
ferred not to analyze told me this would
be the best for both of US.
Edna left?" echoed Georgia, smilingly.
On the contrary, she has promised never
to 90 away unless wish it. Mother took
a great fancy for Edna, and spoke to her
very seriously on the night Of her death;
the result was that Edna agreed to remain
with me as a companions friend. OF
course she must be paid more than if she
were my maid, but that is easily ar
ranged"
This announcement petriHed me. Edna
in the house still-consenting to remain?
It seemed incredible!
Engage a new maid, George, by all
means" I said, but I decidedly object to
this plan of-a companion"
"Why2"
What can you want with one? You
have me, your husband"
You may as we'll say at once that you
hate Edna Lynton. for it is my belief you
do" she answered, hotly. And, if you
DO, you must Tell me why.
I felt myself color beneath her pene-
trative gaze, but her words offered loop.
hole for escape. I seized it eagerly and
asked:
"Is it not natural I should hate any
thing or anybody that comes between my
self and you?"
You absurd boy!" she cried, laughing.
IF you are jealous of girl what will you
"Stayl" exclaimed. This is no jest
ing matter, and taking her hand in mine
I continued: You know that I adore
you, George; that I am your slave: Still,
q slave may beg favor Of his mistress;
aye, and she may grant it, too. Will you
give up this scheme of keeping Edna
fynton? Paw her an annuity-as hand
some one as you ike-but will you let
her go?"
You are prejudiced against herr"
THAT is not to the point. George, dar-
ling, ask you as favor-to please me
just to please me-say that you will let
her go?"
For an instant only she appeared to
waver; tks next she drew away her hands
and With flushed face and flashing eyes,
stepped back. -, .,
NO! Sne asserted prouQly. WILL not
consent to part with Edna Lynton for any
whim or reason that you can urge-and
know I am acting right! 1 am simply
obeying my dear mothers wishes, and it
strikes me that you are the last who
should object to the carrying out Of any
request of hers. You need never see Edna.
She will occupy the apartments that were
mothers. She will continue to take her
meals with Mrs. Armstrong. Remain she
shall"
Then there's an end of it," inter-
rupted, 1and for Gods sake don't let US
wrangle. What say you we be off to
Paris, Rome, or where you will con-
tinued desperately-"to spend our honey
oooppn