The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-12-21

thorns, and with open weather, and
four good horses in the stable, l
grudged missing even oneday's hunt
ing. Still a bachelors hunting
boz, seven miles from anywhere,
was not exactly my idea of the place to
Christmas in; so I turned over in my
mind the merits and dement's OF my
various friends establishments, but
could not come to any conclusion as to
which I intended to honor with my
presence.
The evening post settled tie matter
for me. ..
1.-THE very place." I cried, when just
as I had finished dinner the maid
brought in a letter from my old chum,
Langham Carter, who was home on q
six months furlough flom India. He
and had been close friends at school,
but we had not met again until one win
ter when went out to India for some
tiger and big game shooting. We were
both staying with Sanderson, at Mysore,
and good sport we had. He showed US
how to catch elephants, as only be knows
how, and put me in the way Of baggipg
my first tiger.
"What fun it wasl and what good
sort old George sanderson is-very few
like him., worse luck" 1 unused, as
Langham's letter recalled that jolly time
which wehad spent together.
'Dear Frank" his note ran, 81 am
going down to The Moat for Christmas
and hope you'll come, too. You can
have good mount on any of the dads
horses-they are all your sort, we'll bred
and good performers. If you bring a rod
you can catch pixies galore and of sizes
large in the moat. Father and mother
and the girls (you remember Nellie and
Nora when they were little) will be de.
lighted to see you once more. Come by
the early train on Christmas Eve and
I'll me you at the station. Don't bother
to write, just send wire to say you're
coming"
So next morning I sent my messasS,
"Thanks, delighted to come" and spent
the rest of the day in pleasant anticipa-
ton of the fun was going to have. If
there is cne thing like, or love, next
to hunting, it is a bit of good fishing,
and big pike is my especial in the fish
line; SO I packed up mJ rod and looked
out suitable tackle for the mighty mon
archs of whom Lang spoke.
1t was only midday when I reached
the Carriers station, for I had got up be-
times. Two very pretty girls were wait
ing for me on the platform; and in
stantly recognized cne as an improved
edition of the little Nellie I used to chase
and kiss under the mistletoe long ago
She had been my first love, and we
made all sorts of VOWS and promises dur
ing the winter holidays that I spent al
The Moat as a boy. Her companion wal
not Moral felt sure of that-but
thought she was the most beautiful
woman I had ever beheld. Medium
height, and fair, with curly golden hail
under an Astrakan cap, she looked quite
the regular Christmas-story- book picture
girl. with the advantage Of merry pai
of sparkling gray eyes and laughing
face. In her arms she carried mite o
4 toy bull terrier, in smart red coat.
AS l pulled my traps out OF the trail
Miss Carter came up and shook hands
"Langham was so sorry he couldn'
meet you. He won't be back till thl
evening, so we-let me introduce Mis-
Mildred Palgrave, who is staying wit
us-thought we'd drive to fetch you in
stead. l am afraid We are poor sub
stitute for brother Lang, but you mus
make the best of it and take us on ou
merits"
Looking at tkcm I though myse]
! lucky, and thanked heaven that Ian
could not come, migrate I was.
Miss Palgra-e held out a well-glove
band, saying, II am so glad 70 meetyor
for Langham has told me so many storit
about you as q boy that quite feel