The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-12
CHAPTER XXI,
ELMwOOD AGAIN

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sat over the table, her heart filed with
sweet content, and her eyes dim with
the happy tears that shut from her vision
the familiar objects about her.
For she was home. Home in dear old
Elmwood.
And now, after eating what she de-
clared to Brian to be her biggest break
fast in three months, she wanted to sit
still and feast her eyes upon the smooth
green lawns where the bright sun sifted
itself through a Iuxuriant network OF
green branches, and the lilac and the
hawthorn were bursting into a breath
of fragrant flowers, and say to hersei
it is good to be here.
She reneated the same words to Brian
when he came in at luncheon, and he,
looking at her face, almost marVeIed at
the change that had come over 1t.
II dare say, you are right, Margaret;
II is good for you to be here. l don't
believe I exasgerate when l declare
that there is already some color in your
cheeks. What have you been doing
with yourself this morning?"
Il don't believe I can begin to tell
you. First, there was SO much to talk
about with Mrs. Davis. We have been
laying our heads together and evolving
some delightful plans. You will see the
results after awhile; AMI then, this
afternoon must 60 to The Cedars. I
an pining for sight of the Colonel.
And he, no doubt. is pining for
sight Of you. I suppose that will COM
plete your happiness"
"As nearly as it can be completed.
Do you remember how we left Elmwood,
Brian, under the chill and cold Of win
ter, and we return to it in the Joy OF a.
glad resurrection: I accept it as an
omen, and am-very happy"
She left the table with these words
and walked to the open window. Brian
followed her.
LET me share your happiness. he
said, in q low voice. Darling, the pro-
baton has been very long"
He slipped his hand about her waist,
and drew her to the veranda outside.
You remember our compact? I shall
keep it-be sure of that-until the day
comes that you shall bid me break it.
And it will come, Margaret, as certainly
as we both stand here. You will find
me very patient until I have won my
victory, for I feel that even the price
which Jacob paid FOR Rachel is not too
dear to pay for you. Now, may l tell
you what have been doing to-day?"
Yes; I shall like very much to hear.
well, I have been taking with DR..
Philips. wish you would let me see
your face, Margaret. 1t will be more
encouraging than your back. There,
that is better; thank you. l saw DR..
Philips, as I said, and l told him of my
wish to build up practice here. Just
as expected, he feels his advancing
years, and will be very glad eff young
assistant. He is delighted to help the
son of his old partner, he tells me. So
you see l am particularly fortunate.
can step right into his shoes, and, though
l may find them very large
You will grow" put in Margaret,
glad OF this new turn to the conversa-
ton. And l am very much pleased,
she added, more gravely.
so am 1. 1t is the first step toward
winning my wife"
A half hour later Margaret was sit
ting in the chair Of honor in Alice's
rooms, half-lauShing, half-crying, and
trying to ask and answer questions in
: the same breath.
I'm going to keep you few minutes
all to myself" declared Alice, because
have SO much to tell you, Margaret
30 much l could only hint at it in my
letters. I could not express one-half
the happiness l longed for you to share.
4 am so glad, dear" Margaret an
swered. so very glad for you and for
BERTHE rell me ali about it now.
1t was fully fifteen minutes before
, Alice sent the message telling her uncle
that Margaret was there. 1t brought
the Colonel in very quick time.
"Oh, Colonel" she cried, and the next
second she was folded in his arms.
Back again, Margaret. l am so
, glad, child. This time we mean to keep
: YOU. Bless your dear heart; it does my
Eyes good to see you. Even though you
have grown so thin and your face is as
white as our own snow-Dalls.
Colonel, you hurt my vanity.
shall grow wonderfully fat and well in
few weeks. You won't know me.
Brian thinks have some color already"
Brian! Let Brian go to the devil!
beg your pardon, my dear. l see l
have Mortified you. / am not over
pleased with Brian, as you may guess.
dare say. you find excuses for the
scamp, however. l am glad he mas
some grace LETT. You women can
usually manage men. I WAS getting
ready to come and shoot him, but !
must acknowledge that your method
has been more effectual."
He is growing tired Of doing moth
ing" she answered, without meeting
the Colcnel's glance, land he has de.
cided to practice his profession here.
dare say he will become as highly re-
spected as dear uncle Stephen was"
Highly respected Fiddlesticks.
There it is again, Margaret. The out
come of prejudice, most probably. |
beg your pardon second time, and
predict that Brian will become all that
you want 10 make him. II he doesn't
H."
Shoot him, suppose, put in Mar
garet, with laughing eyes. That would
be fatal blow to my hopes. l beg you
you will spare me the humiliation o.
failure. And please give Brian credit
on his own account.
Certainly, my dear, all he deserves;
though must add that don't consider
The demand excessive. Alice, isn't that
that your rascally husband bawlins
downstairs? hope you have 10 in
tention OF going to him. Let him use
his long legs and come up to you"
He Is using them" observed Mar
garet. smiling at the long. heavy strides
ascending the steps. Alice, don't be
Jealous, please, if say that BERTHE is
one Of the incest men in this world"
Thanks for the compliment, which
wasn't intended for my ears. ! just