The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-18

last time you paid her very marked az
tentions,' as those newspaper fellows
would say. And when she returned,
, the first thing you had to do was to run
and renew the acquaintanceship. Serves
you right, old man, to be teased that
way"
Ralph could hardly preserve his COM
posure as he listened to these words.
Still more than by the words themselves
was he exasperated by the frivolous tone
in which they were uttered Bnt he
controlled his emotions until his brother
had finished.
| Then he said, with artificial coldness,
which was given the lie by the nervous
twitching of his features and his labored
breath:
sAnd who told you that it was .
| joke?"
Walter affected not to understand
| him. With a look Of simulated surprise,
he asked:
"What do Jou mean?"
"How do you know that the fellows at
the club did not tell you the truth?"
Walter Warringham laughed, as ii his
brother had cracked the best joke Of the
year.
Every good! Ha! ha! ha! Very good.
had not discovered the humorous vein
in you before, Ralph. Very good! I
suppose you will accept my congratula-
tions, then, at the approaching union OF
Ralph Hutchinson Warringham, M. D.,
and Miss Lucy Lyon, actress. Excellent!
Ia! ha! hal"
While Walter INDUCED in this outburst
Of merriment dark frown gathered on
the brow of the lover, whose inmoSt
feelings were so rudely attacked. His
teeth gnawed at his lips, as men will do
when they strive to control an outbreak
Of temper.
When Walter o. last seemed disposed
to listen, Ralph said:
sAfter this display of good manners
you will perhaps be disposed to listen
when I say that you have heard the
truth, though I do not know how any
body could obtain any knowledge Of it."
Walter rose again from the sofa-
This time he rose fully to his feet with
jerky motion. He made step toward
bis brother and stood before him looking
straight into his face. There was NJ
| trace of the former malicious sneer in
his features now. Walter Warringham
had the muscles of bis countenance
under good control, and for the present
II seemed best to him to affect look OF
extreme and incredulous amazement.
.SYou do not mean it?" he said.
u do, most assuredly."
ado you understand that referred to
Miss Lucy Lyon, the actress?"
"The very lady that referred to-"
sAnd do you speak seriously?"
u told you so."
aWell, l declare!" Walter made q
gesture expressive of disgust. For a
moment both were silent. Waiter rolled
another cigarette and lighted it. Then
he turned again toward his. brother,
who still retained his seat in the rock
ing-chair by the window, but whose
countenance no longer showed that ex-
preston OF complete happiness. On the
contrary, it looked dark and troubled
uow.
Walter again stood before Ralph, after
or three times.
aDo you suppose, Ralph" he recon-
menced the conversation. shat you will
| O6 DeTmlUUeU W COMulII SuCu luCi GU
lble piece Of folly?"
:, The frown on the Doctors brow dark
ned.
"Who has authority to prevent 1t, II
you please?" he asked, testify.
"Well, do you think that your family
will consent to marriage with woman
| like that?"
Ralph had all the sensitiveness of
lover who will not suffer the slightest
breath of insult to taint the name Of his
love. Excitedly he rose from his chair
and stood opposite his brother. But
ne checked his quick impulse, and when
he spoke the tone of his voice was quiet,
but firm, and little threatening.
II wish you to understand" he said,
athat shall not brook disrespectful
remark in reference to my future bride =
Walter did not seem to notice the un-
dercurent Of menace which was hidden
beneath the outward self-control OF his
brother, else he would have taxed heed
not to exasperate him further, for he
did not wish violent quarrel. He said,
however, contemptuously:
"Well, she IS an actress
@Walter!"
Ralph's frame shook with anger. HIS
face, that had been deadly pale before,
now suddenly turned a fiery red. His
eyes glared fiercely. and for an instant
it seemed as if he would raise his hand
for blow. But second time he re-
gained his temper. For short while he
stood before the younger man, threat
ening. like lion before the hunter.
| Tr<,