The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-08

owner called IT, We hadn't been in 1t
three days before all that handsome
furniture tumbled to pieces. A case Of
familiarity breeds contempt, very likely.
Now, I've grown suspicious. If see a
tidy on sofa ! want to know what is
under 1T; and mo matter now innocent
the chairs and tables may look sitting
around In their Sunday clothes, as it
were, I knoW'it's ten to one that the
tables wifshed leg and the chairs
give up back or seat just when one ts
seeking such support. You see, expert
enee Is good teacher"
Thanks for your oration," remarked
Alice, as Nell paused for breath. Your
tongue, my dear, Is one Of those infant
industries not in need Of protection
"Nell's experience rather frightens
me-, remarked Margaret, with glance
at the late speaker. Think OF my fur
nished apartment, and what is probably
In store"
"A furnished apartment" broke In
Nell quickly, rs as different from fur
| nished fat as crow from partridge.
Don't laugh at my comparison, please.
Iconsider it particularly happy, and to re-
turn to the apartment, you probably pay
from two hundred to three hundred dol
lars q month Now we never aspired to
anything 30 respectable. A fiat, moth
ing more nor less than fat, was the
object of our ambition, and therein lies
the difference. 1t is to enable me to
one day live In an apartment like
yours that am now diligently search:
inp for q husband. Beauty and blue
blood desired. Money Indispensable. II
he's young, we'll and good. II he's old.
SO much the better. He'll"
"No more, please" begged Margaret.
II came here expecting TO be doleful,
and you've made me laugh So"
Comfort the sorrowful,' quoted
Nell. "a corporal work of mercy, my
dear. I've performed good action un.
consciously. I'm an excellent young
person, and, as you say, cant imagine
how they manage to spare me at home.
But to tell the truth, May is the impor'
tant one just now. She is soon to be
married, you see; and by some curious
sort Of reckoning, her value is increased
fifty per cent. 1t is really hard case.
The two beauties Of the family going Of
In this style, and leaving Bess and me
to single blessedness. rebel against
such unjust DEGREES; ! wish was beau
tifuL Oh, don't l wish l was beautiful
I'd like people to tumble into fits just
from looking at me. What's the mat.
ter, Alice?"
"I'd be glad to make few remarks,
was the answer, with affected meek
ness. .ss.sssss ..;ssass--f>.'-- = -
poor child! Have you been waiting
for my permission all this time? Cerii
tainly you can talk. Don't pull dow1
your chin in that fashion. 1t reminds
me of old Spenser when he INDUCES IN
Scripture. Scripture being something
I'm totally unacquainted with, I don't
want it mentioned in my presence
Spenser ornaments his conversation
with Biblical quotations; therefore !
hate Spenser. Besides, he says Hadn't
oughter;' and any man, woman, OF
child who says hadn't oughter' had
oughter' be shot: My private opin--
What, Ben! Luncheon!, Gracious, I'm
glad. I'm as hungry as bear. Miss
Margaret, pray take me under the
shadow Of your wing. Alice, lead the
way. I smell fritters. Oh, my!'
Expressing a mild hope that the COM
bined influences of the fritters and hel
uncle's presence might silence NelPs
busy tongue, Alice did lead the way.
ITO DE CONTINUED