The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-10

CHAPTER X.

gain no entrance into the inner recessesl
Of your mind?" 80,
Brian was sitting in the library, With
his feet gracefully elevated, and hlsI
mind deep in thought, and the enjoy
ment Of a cigar, when BERTHE burst In
upon him with this greeting. |
He jumped to his feet at the sound OF
the well-remembered voice, and making
q crab for Bertie's hand, wrung it for,
some seconds in silence.
so it is really you. he said, when he
found his voice. Declare! wouldn't
have known you. Take a chair and,
make yourself at home. Had an idea
you'd turn up"
!. Like a bad penny" put in Bertie.
~By the way, that simile is about worn
out. 1t should be relegated to oblivion
in company with the threadbare Jokes OF
mothers i'm law and servant girls. How's
the. divine Margaret? You're lucky
devil, old fellow. l know but one girl
as good as Margaret.
And who is she?"
BERTHE smiled knowingly and watched
the smoke curling above his head, in
meditative silence.
"a secret Just now," he said after
pause. But to return to Margaret.
She's a Jewel worth the wearing. Things
have turned out fortunately for you,
tell you. I felt mighty sorry for you at
one time, and Margaret seemed all cut
up about it. The loss of the money
would have been rather hard on you,
eh?" .
= Rather" agreed Brian, anxious to
change the subject. You haven't told
me yet when you arrived.
Yesterday afternoon, my boy. de-
scended upon the parental fold at mo-
ment big with fate, as the poets say.
NY respected father had offered his
fortune, not his hand, to my beloved
cousin, and that impulsive young LADY,
had refused it in few choice but con-
vincing words. Apitched battle seemed!
imminent, when my presence restored
peace. Whereupon my mild parent fell!
upon my neck, metaphorically speaking,
and called for the fatted calf.
That is the history Of my return,
Very touching, is it not? Now, I'm.
here in hopes that Margaret will invite'
me to dinner. Think she will?" !!
4 Perhaps" returned a laughing voice.
: Bertie turned quickly, to see Mar
garet standing in the door.
Come in, he cried, I've walked two
miles to see you.", s15=::-'.
s-IsAnd get your dinner, she added, ad-
yagcing into the room and taking the
chair Brian offered her. That admis-
sion of yours is against you. !.
And your tongues as sharp as ever.
Iwonder if you treat poor Brian to the
unmerciful lectures that used to fall to-
my lot. pity him from my heart. Even
now he hasn't word to say for himselfi
Poor fellow" {
He does look meek, responded Mar
garet, turning to Brian and endeavoring
to draw him into the conversation. !
am afraid your sympathy doesn't appeal
to him. Unfortunately, pity is cheap"
That is why I usually have such
supply on hand. I've always had two
reasons for wishing to be your husband.
Don't turn up your pretty nose, my
dear; it spoils your beauty. AS Was
remarking about my two reasons, one
is because I'd always be sure Of good
dinner, and the other because I'd greatly
enjoy the pleasure Of tanning such
shrew."
Thanks for your interest, sir. For
your enlightenment I'll inform you that
it is not wise to attempt impossible
tasks. have no wish to play Catherine
70 your Betruchio. Oh, Miss Hilton. 1
am so glad to see you. Won't you take
my part? I'm quite defenseless. Even
Brian has sat here quietly and allowed
me to fight my own battles"
That was too bad of Brian. I sup
pose he considered you equal to the oe-
casion."
Just exactly, Miss Hilton, put in
~ al rn
walked two miles to congratulate her on
q certain coming event, and instead OF
accepting kindly intentions, She"
she thinks I'm the one to be con-
graduated, put in Brian, awakingI
from dream, as it were, and turning
an inquiring glance on Margaret's Grim!
son face.
Il certainly didn't intend to provoke
discussion, she rejoined. slightly an !
moved. Miss Hilton brings us tidings,
of dinner and Bertie, if you are not on
your best behavior, you shan't have
any" -;
Il am a saint from this moment"
said. BERTHE, as Margaret lowered her
head to answer some comment Of Bri-
ans. :,
We'll, BERTHE, how long do you intend
TO stay?" asked Miss Hilton, as they
placed themselves about the table.
He laughed heartily.
That depends" he answered. The
uncertainty of the paters temper pre-
vents any settled calculation. / hope
It may be several weeks, as don't care
to return to the city during this weather;
for if there's more forlorn place than
New York in summer I'm not anxious
m come across il.
1t would never suit me, put in Mar
garet. Il believe l should find the very
cobblestones dispiriting.
at is revelation to so through ita
tenement districts. l had occasion to
do so the other day, and it seemed to
me humanity literally swarmed around
me. How can people, raised under such
conditions, have the instincts Of human
beings"
Yet we are a rich and prosperous
people. Our treasury overfows with its
surplus, and thousands of human be-
ings are starving. BY what law OF JUS.
tice do you reconcile that?"
My dear Margaret, your question
suggests subject for a tariff debate.
Ask the Colonel to discuss it with you. "
You speak too lightly, Brian. | know
nothing Of the tariff, but do know that
my sense Of justice is being continually
outraged. I do not believe that some
should dine off Of silver and gold and
;others want for bread. The poorest
;creature was certainly born with some
rights. Don't laugh, please; l don't
consider the subject amusing"
Nor I, my dear, remarked Miss Hill
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