The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-01-13

OF music on the uOOr.
II am ~passionately fond of music"
$50 is my daughter. That just 81:
presses it-she is passionately fond OF
music"
Miss Hargreave is we'll, I hope?"
"She is better, thank you-wonderfully
better since We came here. But she is
very e~xcltable; n Of those highly strung,
impulsive natures that are q constant
source of anxiety. Her fathers death was
q terrible shock to her. She has not re.
covered it. I sometimes fear she never
will"
But the d~octors-you have consulted
some, I suppose2" I asked, feeling it in
cumbent on me to say something.
-Iney are unanimous in telling me
there is nothing but time for it. Time
woodworking her mind. She has q
splendid constitution; they all say that
-She has o magnificent physique
Yes. You express admirably my
meaning. She has q magnificent physique
so had her mother. But oh, MI. bud.
lev, q ~step-daughter is q terrible charge
an almost overwhelming responsibility"
I could not, for the life of me, find q
suitable answer, so sought refuge in 81.
lence, and sat staring at the fire, wonder
ing what Miss Hargreave thought Of the
message" I had sent her, and whether OF
not she would deign to show me the light
Of her beautiful presence.
Mrs. Hargreave continued to talk, OF
rather to ply me with innumerable ques-
tions, every reply of mine eliciting from
her q prosy dissertation, wherein d en-.
deayored to expound her own views and
theories. Occasionally, I feigned agree.
ing with her, because this was easier than
arguing on matters concerning which, at
that moment, I was feeling the most So.
preme Indifference.
An hour passed, and 7 wondered how
much longer this 1durance vile" would
last. So unutterably bored did I become
that I was even contemplating flight.
when a slight sound at The far end of the
apartment attracted my attention. a
portiere was drawn aside. Miss Hal.
greave stepped into the room.
Heavens! how beautiful she looked
What q picture she presented standing
there against the dark tapestried back.
ground. Her dress, of g~old-colored bro.
cade clinging closely to her, displayed
the exquisite outline of her form. I felt
that in her dark eyes, which were fixed on
me, Law an irresistible fascination-a
power that impelled me to 60 forward to
where she stood.
I am SO glad to see you, Mr.. Dudley
Do you believe me?" she asked. while ]
retained her hand certainly longer than
etiquette required.
Believe your Yes!" I whispered pres.
emily. watching the rich color mantle in
her cheeks; her looks, her manner, filling
me with o strange, wonderful, pleased
surprise. Then, with o gentle pressure,
she withdrew her hand.
In the meantime Mrs. Hsrgreave had
risen from her seat. She seemed scared
and nervous.
MY DEAR" she began, Il thought
*Ah, you thought I had q headache and
could not appear tonight, mother minel
But am I not the most contrary creature
in creation2 Wasn't I almost sure tc
change my mind? Myheadache has flown,
30 has my somber mood. At this mo.
ment T feel the gayest of the gay. Poor
mother! Won't even that assurance make
you smile! All, MI. Dudley, you must
have spent a weary, weary hour! Mother
has been trying to Undue you with some
of her dreary ideas Of life. Now yoI
shall hear mine! Oh, what a merry world
it is when all goes we'll! IN dance and
plsy-dance and play size warbled, with
the freshness and freedom Of a bird.
Then, finging aside the fan Of pea.
cocks feathers with which she had been
toying, she sat down at the piano, and
without prelude of any kind burst out in
glorious voice with the fine old song.
sShould he upbraid!" Never shall I heal
it to nv dying day without associating il
with George HargreaVe and remembering
that night.
felt irresistibly impelled to approach
the singer, but Mrs. Hargreave motioned
me back, laying q finger on her lips. Did
she mean to enjoin silence? No fear,
however, that I should break the spell BY
speech. I stood simply entranced with
the bewitching strains. the complies
abandon of the singer-my gaze riretee
on the beautiful, glowing face thai
seemed all the while trimming over witt
fun and mischief.
As the last notes died away, however
the harmony was broken by q sharp. sud.
den CRY from Mrs. Hargreave, who hat
sunk back on her..chair, and was pressing
one hand to her side.
You are Ill again, mother, said Mist
Hargreave, going and bending over her
Never mind, dear. 1t will pass off,
gasped the lady, rising with apparent
difficulty. Excuse me, Mr.. Dudley
she continued, with white face and trem'
bling lips. II am subject to these at
tacks. They are nothing; George vii
tell you so. I will return presently"
She then left the room throughthe doo
BY which her daughter had entered it, .
raising the portiere for her as she did &C
My looks must ave expressed concern
for when I turned round Miss Hargreav'
said lightly, as, she threw herself on ,
couch:
Don't be alarmed, Mr.. Dudley. I IN
quite used to mothers little attacks; the,
are nothing serious, really, Only q catch
ing of the breath. Do pray sit down ant
allow me to thank you for getting M tina
copy of the will. I was almost mad o.
first reading it, as you may suppose"
Il hardly knew whether to let you hA-l
it or not, Miss Hargreave, fearing yol
would be so terribly disappointed"
1T uas o disappointment-a cruel blow
at first. But o it does not seem t,
concern me in the least that mother ha'
all the property that should by rights b,
mine; for I feel I have gained something
that outweighs it far in value" Her
she leaned forward very near to me, will
hands clasped on her knees.
What have you gained?' I asked.
'"You!" she answered; then sat quit,
still and silent with dropped eyes.
"A very poor substitute for a fortune, :
fear" I said, with all the calmness :.
could command.
No, no. indeed. It is more to me tina.
you can think-than you ever dream Of
Do you forget tho dreadful life I Lead
SO lonely, d%esolate-a prisoner, dragget
about from place to place? But oh! tn
--- -o. thok poofhar o111-