The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-01-20
VII.
CdAtAErS VII
ZEE DocToR's CONGRATULATIONS B NOT

rHE DocToR's CONGRATULATIONS ABE NOT
CORDIAL
It was arranged that for the present !
should live at Glendale House, going fol
. few hours daily to Coaltown to attend
to my duties at the bank. 1t was also
decided that the engagement between
Miss Hargreave and myself should be
Kept secret. -.
Il won't even tell Edna, said George,
that first afternoon of bliss, as my be-
trothed and I sat over the fire, Mrs. Har-
Rreave having left us two alone. No; !
won't even give her a hint of it, she con-
tinued, playing idly with the hand
screen she held to shade her face. Ser
wants talk so, you know, even the best OF
them"
What was there in the remark that sent
. sudden chill through me2 I answered
you told me you did not regard her a.
. servant, that you knew her to be 8
lsdy-
II make her q companions friend
She sleeps now in the little dressing.
room next mine; nevertheless she is o
servant. She came to US as one. She is
paid the wages mother has been used tc
pay my maid. Please touch that bell, dis.
tinctly, twice."
I obeyed. The signal seemed under.
stood, for almost Immediately the dool
vas opened and Edna entered, carrying S
tea-tray. She started slightly on seeing
me. Instinctively, I rose as she came to.
ward us, and moved q small table close tt
Georges side, wherein sho placed the
tray.
Mr.. Dudley will pour out my tea
You need not remain to-day" cried
George.
And without q word, but looking yer,
sweet and grave, and not q little sad, tht
girl turned to leave the room. I opened
the door for her, but received neither
word nor look Of thanks.
Are these North Country manners,
Do they rise and open doors for servants
in Coaltown?" asked George, as I 70.
turned to my seat.
Il don't know" I answered, a little con.
aBut Why did you do il? Was it be.
caus I told you I believe she is by birth
and education a lady?" she persisted.
Perhaps" I answered evasively.
Then don't do it again, please. You
watched her in q way that would cause
any girl to feel uncomfortable. Oh, Jack
Jack, what are you about now? Putting
all that sugar in my tear You may have
that yourself, sir-I prefer mine without.
Mother has many crazes, as no doubt you
have discovered" she continued, taking
the cup I poured out for her, without
cream or sugar, accorging to her direc.
tions. "One is. she thinks it a good sign
when o man is fond of his tea. 1t is, &C.
cording to her, q certain guarantee that
he is sober, steady and respectable in all
his ways. In your case. the fact that
YOU dislike smoking and abhor stimulants
has proved the surest road to her aztec.
tons"
But what reason has she for M mo-
ment to suppose
why, didn't you tell her this yourself
during that long t~ete-a-tete you and she
had together here? Didn't you agree with
ner IN everytning? 1 know why you did
it, Jack. It was for my sake-because
You love me-"
mo! Upon my soul, I had no inten-
ton Of so deceiving her. There has been
some mistake, which I must explain"
TOO late now sir! l do 30 pity you,
you poor, poor boy: No more nice to.
bacco and cigars. No more -.
what the-I mean I wish you would
not joke uuOuI ~, 00oASAo. SoA0Ayb "ho
Hargreave won't exact
She laughed in n way that somehow
grated just a little or my senses.
Shell hold you to it to the last letter
You don't half know my stepmother,
After giving her to understand you
agreed with all her crazes, you'll have tt
agree now. You've pledged yourself. Do
you-regret it?" she asked, rising, and
drawing herself up to her full height.
Twas BY her side in a moment.
'By heaven, mol" I cried, Selling both
her hands. while I gazed into her eies,
those unbelievable eyes, in whose
iusky depths I longed to fnd-I know
not what. But I discovered nothing.
The intense look vanished as quickly as
it came, to be succeeded by one OF fun
and merriment.
you're undoubtedly very handsome,
Jack!" she exclaimed.
Am II" I asked absently.
why, Of course you arel II you had
not been, would -"
She said no more. Her hands were