The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-15
CHAPTER TX.
A LOVE DYL.

In the midst of all these troubles the
severest experience Of youth came to
Dorothea, and in it she was happy,
During the past year stranger had come
to Sagnauck from old England.
Many of the colonists had emigrated
from the country in which Oswold Castle
stood, and knew, by reputation, at least
Of Lord Oswold. The coming of his
younger son, Egbert, was like the COM
ing Of an old friend to those even with
whom he was not personally acquaint-
ed. He came, too, bearing with him the
patent for large grant Of land near Sag
nauck, q patent which bore upon it the
great seal of the King himself. Even in
New England, where mon were supposed
to be taken for what they were worth in
character, rather than for what they were
worth in houses and barns, these facts 8
gave to the younger con Of Oswold q
warm welcome.
But the young man had personal
character which would have made him
welcome in time when it should become
known, and Sagnauck was not long in
finding it out.
In appearance Egbert Ingram was OF
medium height, and the picturesque
dress of that age set off his manly figure
to advantage. His hair was typical Sax
on. light and wavy, and his eyes were OF
that dead gray hue which denote strength
Of will and honesty of purpose.
His advent created no small stir in the
village, for he was the first to come
direct from old England since the settle
ment had been made. From him could
be learned many things with regard to
the old home, and the state OF affairs in
England. Fresh from more refined at
mosphere, he brought with him. too, an
influence which was speedily felt. Old
phrases fell from his lips, new ideas
came from him, hints of other ways Of
living were dropped, books and pictures
were spoken of, and the little settlement,
which had dropped down into its own
way Of life and unconsciously adopted
its own peculiar vernacular. had an agree
able diversion. The elders remembered
the more courtly words they had been
accustomed to in their youth, and almost
unconsciously began to use them again.
His stories Of England also gave new
subjects for thought and conversation,
and the little world, bound in by circle
of dense woods, found an opening out
into greater one. which it was learning
to forget.
The Younger members of the village,
many Of whom had thought Of but little
except the clearing Of forests and the
planting of corn, of work on week days
and of preaching on Sunday, were pleas
antly surprised to hear such familiarity
with books and paintings. towers and
castles, and lords and kings. 1t was like
q glimpse into fairyland.
And yet one should not imagine from
this that Egbers Ingram was an egotist
who had thrust his own personal likes
and dislikes upon the Others. He was
too much of q gentleman to allow the
least with whom he came in contact to
imagine that any other life could be
more congenial than that of an honest
pioneer in the woods of America.
It was rather by questions that he was
drawn out, and what he did in changing
the current of thought in Sagnauck was
brought about more by the pioneers
themselves than by him.
When Egbert Ingram left England he
was given letter of introduction to DIR.
Lennox, who urged him to make his home
under the physicians roof until he should
become settled, either upon his own land
or in the village. This necessarily
brought him much with the Doctors
adopted daughter, Dorothea, and between
the two sprang up friendship such as
the latter had never enjoyed before. In
der his tuition she began the study of
several books, which Egbert had brought
with him, and in particular did she de-
vote herself 10 the mastery of her mother
tongue. She loved also to listen to her
companions tales Of old courtly life, and
SO we'll did he recount, and SO we'll did
she listen, that before many months
passed she felt as if she were nearly as
familiar with the manners of Englands
nobility as if she had lived among them.
This friendship was very sweet to
Dorothea, and in it she for time almost
forgot the cloud that hung over her.
Then came one of her encounters with
the minister For the first time Dorothea
felt sense Of shame in connection with
Mr. Granville's persecution.
Would Mr.. Ingram hear of it? And
would he side against her? Would be,
too, believe the tales that were told abou.
her!
The long winter months had been so
pleasant, and now that spring was open
fng.she had felt as if new life had begun
to unfold in her. And was all this fancied
happiness to pass away, too, under the
dark cloud which covered her young life.
The meeting with the minister had oc-
CURED in the afternoo and, with some
Nhat of the superstition in her which
then pervaded all New England, she
asked herself: II do wonder if the spider
and the rabbit had anyth ng to do with
it2 saw spider in my room soon after
I arose, and as was walking through the
woods rabbit ran across the path in
front of me-.
Her reyerie was broken by the approach
of Egbert Ingram, who, seeing her stand
ing alone in the yard before the Doct or's
home, approached AMI greeted he:.
$50, Mistress Dorothea, I find that.
not content with bewitching men with
your fair face and brown eyes, yon must
needs call in the aid of his majesty OF
the lower regions"
and do you believe it?" Dorothea,
with sad face, asked, feeling as she Gid
90 that If he believed in her guilt thers
was nothing she cared to live for.
DO believe it?" Egbert replied. How
can I disbelieve such learned and holy
man as Mr.. Granville? Does not Ee
know all the signs for detecting witche".
and has he not ass sted in the burning Of
one in merry Salem?"
Dorothea made no reply, and her down
cast eyes and troubled face told him that
the subject was one too serious to her for
jesting.
q beg your pardon, Dorothea." Egbert
continued in q lower tone. Il did but
Jest, for the charge seemed to me too
ridiculous to be treated seriously. How
long have they so worried your"
Nearly all my life. At least, ever since
father disappeared, which was over five
years ago."
Poor child And is there no one to
help you bear these insultst"
Yes: father aud mother Lenno1 al