The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-29
A WOMAN'S
"a = vi INFLUENCE,
CHAPTER III-Continued.

sand" she said. IF you entertain any
fears for your delicate constitution ad-
wise YOU to return to the village
Y, which Is a polite way Of expressing
your wish to be rid Of me; but have no
desire to spend the day in those hen
GOODS. There's the sun now. Blessed
sight I'm going to move this shawl up
there where it is dryer. May 1? 1t is
positively suicidal to sit here. II you
should be Ill, I'll have to act as Escu.
lapius, for there isn't man OF pills ana
souills in the whole village, I'm tolo.
So be warned in time.
1T will be more prudent, no doubt,
admitted Margaret. allowing him to
move the shawl in question, but we
can't see the waves so well.
-That's no great loss. We know they
are there, which is just as good. Do
YOU know, I've been thinking Of you all
night. Really, had a strange dream
in which you seemed to be leading me,
and some influence compelled me to fol-
low. Don't look, skeptical, please, and
say nonsense. It was all very real,
assure you, One Of those old men
called you Miss Margaret. Please tell
me il that is your name? I have quite
curiosity to know"
Your curiosity is easily satisfied. My
name is Margaret"
Thanks. I've always had an odd
fancy for the name. 1t seems to mean
30 much. 1t is her name, too. Curious,
Isn't it,"
Not at ALL" responded Margaret
promptly. The name is common
enough, dare say"
Perhaps. I like it, nevertheless.
only wish she were like you.
Margaret moved impatiently, and re-
piled with SUSPICION Of petulance:
.Tm like myself and no one else.
Variety is the spice Of life;' so please
don't compare me with any unknown
She's"
"Oh, this ones tolerable enough" he
reioined, "and smart, too, l dare say.
She's managed to feather her nest ut
my expense. Perhaps she's gloating
over me at this very moment.
How can you say that?" asked Mar
garet, with some warmth. You have no
right to Judge people that way. She
NAV hate the very sight Of the money.
Money!" repeated Brian, In some
surprise Il said nothing about money"
No" she returned, thoroughly angry
with herself; but am sure money has
something to do with the injury you
speak Of. I know she isn't 30 hateful
as you think her. 1t is neither just nor
right to condemn her unheard."
He laughed at her earnestness. i
suppose she isn't bad sort" he ad.
nitted, pulling at some seaweed beside
him. Il don't see why you take such
an interest in her, though"
She flushed at these direct words.
II speak in general terms" she re-
piled, unable to meet his searching
glance. Il simply say you have no right
to assume certain things, and 1 wish
you would not run people down in my
presence, especially when I don't know
them, and cannot take their part. hate
it;it is against my principles, and it's
contemplate besides"
She rose to her feet and walked away
In some excitement, already regretting
her childish warmth.
Tell me about it," she added, i'm
periously, returning to her old place.
sWhat did your cousin do?"
Another mistake. She bit her lips as
the word cousin escaped her, but for
tunately Brian had not noticed it.
"Do?" he echoed, still regarding her
with an amazed expression. She didn't t
do anything. Only my father happened
to think 30 much Of her and so little OF
me that he left her fortune and me
beggarly income to starve on. No use
living without money either. But I'll
forgive her II she marries me, and I
dare say she will.
The confidence Of this assertion was
too much for Margaret.
ani1p't understand Won tn CAV Won
had never met her?" she asked, in q
voice unnaturally quiet and full of scorn,
that made no impression upon him. He
replied in the most impertur urbable man
ner.
NO, I haven't seen her, that's true;
but I dare say she'll make good wife,
and"
These words further enraged Mar
garet.
How dare you," she cried, without
giving him chance to complete his
sentence. Il never heard Of such un-
paralleled impudence in my life. dare
say you consider your charms SO over
whelming that every woman must be
iovercome by the bare sight Of them. If
! were your cousin you would very soon
discover your mistake. A conceited man
Is the very al omination Of desolation.
@You show Jour contempt very freely"
returned Brian, not overpleased with
her remarks. If suggest the idea Of
my Cousins marrying me it is because
of the circumstances. Father would
have liked it. know. Perhaps he had
the idea in his head when he made his
will"
Margaret grew paler at these words,
but she did not answer.
And don't you know" Brian con-
tinued, with a spice Of malice, as he
turned lazily In his effort to see her
face, "a man can marry any woman he
chooses, provided he goes about it the
right way. No woman can Withstand
constant. enduring affection.
Constant, enduring flddlesticks!" was
the contemptuous reply. No doubt
your knowledge Of woman, her nature
and capacities, is deep and profound,
but pray spare me your wisdom on the
subject, or may be tempted, like Aunt
Sukey, to jaw back. dare say your
constant, enduring affection is another
variety Of constant hanging on. would
Idespise o man eternaily around me.
Please don't laugh 30 loud. I'm not
trying to be amusing"
@No, I'll wager not. TlM me what
sort Of man you do like. A. Admirable
Crichton, with every virtuI under the
sum-
heaven forbid! how tlresome such
q perfect creature would be, and what a
curiosity. No; I like men. Real, ac-
tual men. Not ornamental show pieces"
A.