The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-05-27
CHAPTER VII.
: - - = -
A MORNING RIDE

Ing to read, ne WenC lQCO Lne nall W
meet her. depressing her nervousness
at his unexpected appearance, she
paused as he came up to her with the
words:
+ .You have been so long, Margaret.
Did you enjoy your visit so much? Why
hidn't you let those people wait, and
piye me Just q little Of your company.
{ haven't much chance. I am going
away tomorrow"
!. Tomorrow" She grasped her raised
skirt more tightly, but no further COM
nent escaped her lips.
Taking this for, Indifference, Brian
continued, after afbrief pause: I dare
say shall never see you again. OF
course you will not regret that, but be-
fore I 90, should like to know that you
forgive me. If you only knew how I
have suffered! II you could realize how
still suffer, you would be kinder. 1t
Is so hard to lose all, Margar et."
T. Have been so unkind? am sorry.
Have I not told you that regret,
with bitterness I cannot express, the
Conditions which make me mistress
here? If there is any way
5e he Interrupted her with passionate
reproach. You do me injustice. Do
YOU suppose I was alluding to the
money? I hate the very mention OF it.
leave it out Of the question. l am
thinking of you"
She tapped her foot with her riding
whip, and despite the effort to control
her countenance, an increduious ex-
preston passed over it.
1You don't believe me-" he cried
aWal 6ocorva that at
your hands, but truth is truth. The
very sight of your kindness to others
maddens me. see how they are favored,
and I remember your hardness to me.
envy the very children who speak to
you as you pass. They can be happy
without your love. I cannot. You need
not look your dislike, I feel it, am
destined to offend you so much since I
saw you in that place, where only my
evil fate led me, that I feel no sacrifice
could be too great for your sake"
isn't the sensation novel one?" she
asked, steeled to hardness by some in
ward remembrance. Il believe we
agreed to leave me out OF the question. !"
Brian ground his heel with an ex-
clamation Of impatience. 1T is useless
to hope" he answered bitterly. "You
will never forget. Hate me if you will,
but do not show such contemptuous in
difference.
1T is not charitable to hate. and for
getfulness does not come so easily as we
might wish"
Il have something to remember, too. I"
She paled perceptibly.
you are generous, was her passion.
ate answer. Now perhaps you will
allow me to pass"
@Ah, no! Margaret, not yet. I can't
see you 40 from me so. Forgive me for
what just said. I meant nothing. I
spend half my time in regretting what
has gone before. I cannot stand your
anger. Why is all the gentleness in
your nature turned against me only?"
II do not know" she answered, half
absently, while her face softened visi-
bly,. Have you anything to ask me?"
"Nothingthat you will grant; unless,
perhaps, it is permission to ride with
you tomorrow. Will you allow me that
pleasure?"
"Iride early, she answered with hesi-
tation, but if you care to forego your
morning nap have no objection.
Thank you. You will see how glad
1y I'll forego that morning nap"
Il really didn't expect to see you, ="
Margaret confessed, when they were
both in the saddle next morning. Il
thought"
How could you doubt me?" he inter-
rupted, with some reproach. Il am only
too happy to take advantage Of this last
chance to spend little while with you.
I'll soon be out Of your life entirely. I
find it hard to tear myself away"
He sighed. His sigh was echoed
close beside him, but Margaret's face
was impenetrable.
What a glorious morning." she re-
marked rather irrelevantly. I'VE shall
have a delightful ride"
Are you 50 fond Of riding" he asked,
noting her high color and flashing eyes.
Passionately. feel so light-hearted
when I am in the saddle. An hour like
this is particularly inspiriting. love
the GOODNESS and the restful quiet, and I
love the fresh morning air"
You love the night air, too"
Her face flushed at the words.
Il suppose you heard me in the gar
den last night?" she said, bending her
head with the pretext Of untangling her
horses name. The night was perfect,
and I couldn't withstand the tempta-
ton. I hope you will not speak Of it
to Miss Hilton. She may begin to
Worry her dear head about me, when
really I was only nervous and wake
full.
"And you adopted that plan for WOO.
Ing sleep? Couldn't you have found q
more prundent and more efectual
one?"
II hate prudence" she broke in, with
suspicion of impatience; in fact,
revel in imprudence,
1--WE had ample proof of that, was
his tranquil reply. "Why didn't you lei
me play Esculapius, if only to vindicate
my diploma, you know"
The idea didn't suggest itself to me,
and 1 don't believe I'd care to be ex-
perimented on, anyway. A diploma
Isn't guarantee Of ability, you know.
mo one can accuse you of kissing the
blarney stone," he returned, rather
grimly. Sometimes 1 begin to feal
you are too truthful"
NO one can be that. There is The
Cedars. No one about. / suppose Col.
Barton is an old friend of yours?"
If knowing me since l was knee
high 10 q grasshopper implies friend.
ship. he and I must be first-rate chums
don't fancy I'm an especial favorite
in that direction, however. He's q
friend of yours, am sure
why are ytu sure"
Because no one can help being. You
have the faculty of making everybody
love you, and old men are no more proof
against it than young ones. 1t has
proved unfortunate in nv case but he