The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-20
CHAPTER vi.


humor one sunny morning in May.
The daily mail had been handed him,
as usual, just as he had commenced his
breakfast, and one letter that he had
then received had discomposed and
made him surIy and cross, which fear
full oath made evident to all.
"Jimmy, you young rascal, don't stand
gazing there, but attend to your duties.
Lady Constance, just stop gazing In that
reproachful way at me, and eat your
breakfast! l know what / am saying,
though your looks seem to doubt it."
This was by no means an unusual
mood for her husband to be in, and
Lady Constance Glendenning, whenever
she saw the peculiar expression foat
over his face that it now wore (for 1t
was an ugly look that for years she had
been accustomed to meet), knew we'll
that it was best to make no remark, but
quietly leave him to himself by vacating
the room as quickly as possible.
Therefore she, as we'll as her only
brothers orphan son and daughter, who
had been left in their charge, finished
their breakfast in silence, and, with as
much dispatch as decency would permit,
then strolled to their own amusements,
leaving the lord and master OF the estab-
lishment to glover at the unwe!come
sheet he still held in his hand, undis-
turbed by their presence.
"Perdition!" he muttered. "What
deuced luck is this? After my not going
to the funeral of my sister and thus, by
my absence, showing that I had not
overlooked her plebeian marriage, to
think that these people have forwarded
such letter as this to me is absurd!
do not core if it was written by her be-
fore her death. They might have known
did not wish it. Take charge OF her
husbands niece, forsooth! The girl be
hanged She may go to the aims house
for all me! will not have thing to do
with her. ..
aSuppose my brother-in-law did die,
and his wife also, and suppose the girl Is
left alcne, that is no sign that should
be trammeled with her presence and
guardianship. No! Twill never notice
the stuff written there by word or deed!"
So saying, Sir Reginald turned to his
library, tossed the offensive letter into q
drawer of his bookcase, locked it, and,
putting the key in his pocket, rang the
bell furiously for waiter, ordering him
to have the groom bring to the door o
young horse named Tempest at once, as
he intended to ride.
The baronet stalked to the piazza,
where he stood impatiently slashing a
lovely trained clsmatis with his whip,
until Michael appeared, leading a merry
young horse by the bride.
"Adn't your lordship better take Jerry
this morning? This beast is very wild
and skittiSh like, and I fear ye may ave
trouble to 'old 'im."
sBring him hither. II he feels wild SO
do /, and our moods will suit" was the
sullen reply.
Springing upon the back Of the hand
some creature, Sir Reginald Glendenning
dashed away, just as his nephew, Robert,
o young man about twenty years Of age,
appeared upon the deserted piazza.
He was in personal appearance very
tall, with magnificent figure, dark
complexion, handsome features, and
large, speaking black eyes, while his
whole air portrayed the pride that he
had SO richly inherited from his own i'm
mediate family.
sBelle!" he exclaimed, as his sister, a
beautiful brunette, followed him. 1See
our worthy relative dashing down Tae
way at that break-neck speed.
Zounds! if I were to ride in that savage
way, he would rate me soundly for it for
the next three days. I wonder what
news that letter could have contained to
infuriate him as it did. Do you know,
he is always terribly provoked when he
rides like that"
l. I'm
I should like to read it though, would
not you?"
ayes; wonder whero he put it?"
@In the drawer of his bookcase, where
he keeps letters not answered. 1 wish ]
could unlock it, but the key has gone
down the carriage way in the old gents
pocket" replied the unfiial girl.
"Well, since you express wish to see
It, perhaps I can aid you. See! this key
looks as though it might fit any lock-"
the young man, readily enough
falling into the suggestive mood OF his
sister.
Laughing at the impulsive mood ol
her brother, the young girl turned
quickly with him, and both glided with
steps toward the library and
their uncle's desk.
The key fitted; fact Robert we'll |
knew, as it was not the first time it had
been tried by the unprincipled nephew,
and the following letter, written in a
hand evidently feeble from sickness, was
eagerly read, then as quickly returned
to it's hiding place, and the drawer re-
locked, as they had found it.
On the envelope was written, ITO be
sent to Sir Reginald Glqndenning, Bart,
after my death"
Sir Reginald Glendenning:
MY DEAR BRoTHER-You will doubtless be
to receive this letter from one who
has been 80 many years separated from her |
family, In consequence OF having married,
secretly, the man OF her choice. Allow me
merely to say that when you read this, the
sister that you once loved will have passed
away, and, therefore. she trusts that all
hard feelings that her marriage may have
occasioned 10 marriage that was happy
one until the bond was severed by the death
of the devoted busbund) will be buried for
ever. Brother, write to you now In order
70 cravo o favor at your hands. Ny only
child died in infancy, and just twenty and q
half years ago, I, with tho consent OF my
husband, took charge OF little girl OF gen.
tie blood and some pleasant future pros.
pecB, aud gaTc hcr tnc love OF true
Ino:hur On her twenty-irst birthday she
wild be at liberty to open certain documents
laid aside foS her, and thoa will come into
possession OF her own property. for soma
dttle awaits her majority. Until then
liter my death, she will be friendless and
alone. Now, I ask If you will care for her
until that date October 81 is reacheds Can
she not in some way be 81 service to you,
and thus compensate for her board and
trouble2 Do this for me, my dear brother;
be kind to and care for my dear Ethel, ano
my dying gratitude will be yours. Your af-
sister, GERTRUDE.