The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-06

from SllSnG yaW0, aG WHICH ne neSl-
tated with a new and timid sense oil
politeness.
You're getting tired, ma ann"
AOh, dear, mol" she said in the same
voice, but clearing her throat with a
little cough. And why didn't you see
this Mr.. Horseley after all? Oh, I forgot
you said you changed your mind from
something you'd heard"
He had turned his eyes to the fir.
again, but without noticing as he did 50
that she slowly moved her face, still
half hidden by her hand, toward him
and was watching him intently.
NO" he said slowly, "nothin' heard.
somethin' felt. 1t mout hev ben that
that set me off the track. 1t KEN to me
all Of a sudden that he might be sittin'
thar calm and peaceful as might ba
here, hevin' forgot all about her and his
trouble, and here was me goin' to drop
down upon him and start it all afresh
agin. It looked little like persecution
yes, like persecution. got rid OF it.
sayin' TO myself it wasn't business. But
I'd got off the road meantime, and
had to find 1t again, and whenever l got
back to the track and was pointed fot
his house, it all seemed to come back
on me and set me off again. When that
happened three times, turned round
and started for home"
And do you mean to say" said the
lady, with discordant laugh. that you
believe, because you didn't go there and
break the news, that nobody else will!
That he won't hear of it from the first
man he meets?"
He don't meet any one up where he
lives, and only Briggs and myself know
it, and I'll see that Briggs don't tell.
But it was mighty queer, this whole
thing oomin' upon me suddenly
wasn't it?"
very queer" replied the lady, for, =
with the same metallic laugh, you
don't seem to be given to this kind OF
weakness with your own family"
II there was any doubt as to the sarcas-
tic suggestion Of her voice, there cer-
tainly could be none in the wicked gilt
ter Of her eyes fixed upon his face under
her shading hand, but haply he seemed
unconscious Of 10th, and even accepted
her statement without an ulterior sig
niicance.
Yes" he said communingly to the
glaring embers of the hearth, 1T must
have been a special revelation.
There was something 80 fatuous and
one-sided in his attitude and expression,
so monstrously inconsistent and made
ouate to what wac going on around him,
and so hopelessly stupid-if mere Sim
ulation-that the angry suspicion that
he was acting a part slowly faded from
her eyes, and hysterical smile began
10 twitch her set lips. She still gazed
at him. The wind howled drearily in
the chimney; all that was economic.
grim and cheerless in the room seemed
to gather as fitting shadows around
that central figure. Suddenly she arose
with such q quick. rustling Of her skirts
that he lifted his eyes with start; for
she was standing Immediately before
him, her hunds behind her, her hand.
some, audacious face bent smilingly for.
ward, and her bold, brilliant eyes with
in foot Of his own.
Now, Mr.. Hays, do you want to know
what this warning or special revelation
Of yours really meant! Well, it had
nothing whatever to do with that mar
on the Summit. No. The whole inter.
est, gist and meaning Of it was simply
this, that yousshouid turn round and
come straight back here and"-she
drew back and made him an exaggerated
theatrical courtesy-"have the supreme
pleasure OF making my acquaintance.
That was oil. And now, as you've had
it, in five minutes I must be of. You've
offered me already your horse and sleigh
20 &C to the Summit. I accept it and 20.
Good-by!"
He knew nothing of woman's capri
cious humor; he knew still less OF that
mimic stage from which her voice, ges-
ture, and expression was borrowed; he
had no knowledge of the burleslue emo
hons which that voice, gesture, and ex.
oression were supposed to portray, and
i.nally and fatally he was unable to de-
tect the feminine hysteric jar and dis.
.ord that underlay it all. He thought
it was strong, characteristic and reaii
and accepted it literally. He rose.
Eff you allow YOU can't stay, why III
60 and get the horse. 1reckon ne amt
bin PIT up yet.
do, please.
He crimly resumed his coat and hat
and disappeared through the passage
into the kitchen, whence, moment
latter. Zu!eika came flying.
Well, what has happened!" she said,
eagerly.
IT'S all right" said the woman,
quickly, though he knows nothing yet.
But I've got things fixed generally, so
hat he'll he quite ready 10 have 1t
,roken to him by this time tomorrow.
But don't yoa say anything TIL I've
seen Jack and yoa hear from him. Re-
member"
She spoke rapidly; her cheeks were
auite glowing from some sudden
energy; so were Zuleika's with the ex-
.itement of curiosity. Presently the
sound of sleigh bells again filled the
room. 1t was Hays leading the horse
and sleigh 10 the door, beneath star
lit SKY, crisp from a northeast wind.
The fair stranger cast a significant
glance at Zu.eika, and whispered hur-
reily: You know he must not come
with me. You must keep him here
But YOU cannot go alone" said
Hays, with awkward courtesy. i was
Salkilatin -"
You're too tired to get out again,
dad" broke in Zuleika, quickly. You
amt fit; you're all gray and krinkly
now, like as when you had one Of your
last spells. She'll send the sleigh back
tomorrow.
Il can find my way" said the lady,
triskly; there's only one turn off, l
believe, and that"
Leads to the stage-station three
miles west. You needn't be afraid OF
gettin' off on that, for you'll likely see
the down-stage crossin' your road as
soon as you get clear off the ranch"
Good night" said the lady. An arc