The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-05-13
CHAPTER V.
HONE AGAIN

nonnoeS his coming, and, on alighting
hon the train, he found the carriage
swaiting him, and the old coachman ne
,anembered so we'll beaming smlllne
Five wears had wrought very pereep1-
Ibje changes in the aspect OF the couh-
nv The small town lying WITHIN tne
sbelter OF the valley, true to IT'S olo
nrooressiye spirit, revealed wonderful
aevelopment. New and imposing resi-
aences were to ba seen on all sloes.
Rnsy activity was everywhere visible,
and Brian began to imagine himself
MODERN Rip Van Winkle, returning to
h;s home after long absence.
His homo? Alas! this was his home
no longer. For the first time perhaps
the full force Of this idea struck him.
From the carriage window he caught
distant glimpses Of Elmwood, the state
iy old house crowning the brow of the
Hill like sentinel guarding the village
below, its terraced gardens sloping to
the narrow river winding like silver
thread between it's green banks, and
the splendid old forest trees clothed ID
the tender foliage Of May.
He sighed as he turned from the pic
ture. He had never been particularly
fond of Elmwood in the old days, the
country under no circumstance ofterln9
Inducements that he found alluring, but
now all was changed. The home he hao
looked upon as his had passed into the
hands Of another, and the knowledge
raised new longings and new desires ID
his heart.
He tried to picture the cousin who
had taken his inheritance from him, but
his Imagination could grasp nothing
definite. he wondered if she were tall
or short, dark or light, cold or affable,
and then he fell to framing face IN his
mind; and as the intangible SHADOW
assumed a clearer shape it unconscious.
ly took on the form and features OF the
Margaret he had left in the fishing town
on Nantucket.
Bother it," he cried, gnawinS his
mustache with a tierceness that argued
inward disturbance. The want OF
money is the greatest bore under the
sun. Margaret was such dear girl.
This thought came as a natural Sc
ouence to the other, and he smiled at
the possibilities it suggested.
. Poor Brian had his faults; among
them an overweening love for his own
comfort, and on intense dislike for what
ever could cause him the least incon-
venience. His love for money was rela-
tive. not abstract. Money could buy
pleasure and luxury, therefore he de-
sired it's possession.
He had no ambition for the fame to
be won by his own endeavor. NO de-
sire to take his place in the working
world and win his way in the struggle
for prominence. Privation and hard
ship. those prolific mothers OF greatness,
were wanting in his life, and the actlE-
ity and industry which Margaret ad-
mired were to him laborious effort
that no after greatness could compeI-
safe. His education was in part re-
eponsible for these ideas. Selfish and
indolent by nature, he had early been
deprived of his mother, and in her per-
son. Of the careful training and judicious
dicipline which might have weakened, If
not wholly eradicated, these tralts.
His father was lily fitted for the guard,
ianship Of quick, impulsive boy, and
the injudicious indulgence OF an old
nurse strengthened the already strong
characteristics. When, as frequently
happened, Brian grew unmanageable,
his father was appealed to, and his Sc
verify Oh SuCll OCCdSlOuo hoo 1"A - o~'
the desired effect.
Such a course Of training had prac-
tical effect on Brian's after life. When
he left college, he studied medicine, IN
accordance with his fathers wishes, and
during the progress OF his studies, pro-
ceeded to SOW his wild oats with such
unusual vim that frequent quarrels be-
tween himself and father became the
rule.
These terminated in cne more bitter
than oil the rest, which resulted in
Brian's departing for Europe, and his
father threatening to discontinue his al
lowance. A very direful threat, that
ended, as Brian expected, in nothing
more than words.
Brian had been travelling several
months when Margaret's father died and
she took up her residence at Elmwood.
Once there, she soon won her way to
her uncle's heart, and the old gentleman
formed the project of marriage be.
tween her and his son. He died without
realizing his hope, and for reasons
which he did not disclose, he left oil his
property to Margaret, and cut Brian Of
with an income Of $4,000. Now, after
five years absence, the disinherited son
was experiencing the novel sensation Of
entering his old home visitor.
The friendly, familiar air Of every.
thing about him, made his sense Of loss
more keen; and when old St phens, who
had known him as boy, met him at the
door with eyes suspiciously moist, and
face full Of emotion, he found himself
30 overcome that he could do nothing
more than grasp the toil-worn hand Of
the faithful old servant, and shake il
with impulsive affection. :.
r Poor Stephens" he said to himself.
when left alone to his reflections. :!
firmly believe the faithful fellow had
tears in his eyes. Never thought I'd
be so low in the scales that the feel
ing Of an old servant would touch me
30. I wonder if my beloved cousin
realizes what she has taken from me.
More than mere money. Yes, thou
sand times more. She has taken my
happiness. And Margaret-with all
this 1 could have married her. She
liked me, feel sure. Her every action
told me as much. Dear girl! how happy
I should be to make her mistress here.
Well, there is certainly no use signing
bver the inevitable"
This was a philos optical conclusion:
but Brian found it difficult to shake of
the incubus Of dependency and TURN
his attention TO some needful changes
In his attire, preparatory to going down
to dinner. He was not particularly
vain man; yet, wishing to appear to the
best advantage in his cousins eyes, he
took special pains with his toilet. He
wondered if Margaret had visitors.
Stephens had spoken Of tho ladies'