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

Margaret dropped her fork and STOPPED
to pick 1t up before she answered:
Don't bring up things I've said," sht
returne with some impatienoe. "Ont
can't be accountable for every word.
am determined not to be talked about
and I want to see something OF thi:
wonderful New York, where life is 81
flexible that it can bend to every caprice.
Your expression, sir. You will have t
find me resting place. Not q house
that would be bother. A small apart
ment will be best; please look for one
II you can find time from your importan
social duties
YES" said Brian, gradually recover.
! ing from his surprise. I'll do what
can, Notwithstanding your sarcastic ref
erence to my duties. Those sweat lip:
weren't made for sarcasm. Don't
frown. I know I'm daring fellow.
wish ! could understand this suddeI
whim OF yours. It is sensible; can
deny that. I've thought several times
that it would be delightful to spend ou'
winters in New York and our summers
here. ! shall be happy to enjoy, you,
society and the city at the same time.
Margaret did not reply to this, and
when she spoke again it was on another
topic.
Brian found time to secure an apart
ment which seemed to Margaret suit
| able In all particulars, and as the time
she had fixed upon for departure drew
nearer she began to realize the cost OF
leaving Elmwood.
Her life was 30 thoroughly identified
with this home she had learned to love 80
dearly, her mind and heart so fully
wrapped pin all connected with it, that
1t was hard and real sacrifice to break
up old associations, and look forward to
an indefinite stay among comparative
strangers and uncongenial surround
lngs. But the sacrifice had to be made,
and 1t was better to make 1t soon, she
argued. Dwelling upon it only made it
harder, and after the actual leaving was
pver, the bitterest part, she could force
herself to be contented in that great,
busy city, which held no allurements for
her.
She would have stolen away quietly,
to have avoided the pain Of saying good
by to her friends. but this was not pos
sible; so the unpleasant experience had
to bo encountered.
The fearful grief Of the rectory chill.
dren, who had grown to look upon her
as a second mother, tried her strength
and resolution severely, and left her
rather dreading her visit to The Cedars,
In which she was sure to find the Colonel
SO kind and sympatAeti9 that It would
Be IMPOSSIBLE to bear up. ss-nSS
IF he only understood how 1t hurts,
she thought, making her way to Alice's
room, "he would be only hard and cold.
People call the world cold and unsympa-
thetic, but it seems to me that"
Il am only advising you, Alice; such
tempers are hereditary, you know"
These light words brok ke rather rudely
upon Margaret's melancholy reflections,
and Notwithstanding her state OF mind,
she was compelled to smile.
Nell, 1 declare" she soliloquized, /,
pulling aside the portiere and entering
the room, to find the irrepressible young
lady seated on table, her feet dangling
in the air and her laughing face suggest.
ing the mischief her words had ex.
pressed.
"Merciful fates! If here isn't Miss
Margaret" she cried, jumping from her
perch and rushing to greet Margaret.
'You didn't expect to see me? Well, !
guess not, but here I am, as big as life
and twice as natural. Thank heaven
you've come. Take off your hat and
coat. That's right. Now you feel more
at home. You'll stay to lunch, OF
course? Oh, yes, you will You must;
I'm goner otherwise. Why my
anxiety, you ask? Ye gods! what a
want Of comprehension! And you know
the old bear, too; have seen his little
ebullitions Of wrath, and noted the deli
cate pink that overspreads his express
i've features when somebody like me has
an opinion-that dear, mild, beloved
uncle of mine who tried to box my ears
this morning and may be looking for
me even at this moment. See, how I
remble, and shiver, and shake. So
stay, pray you; stay to calm the fire OF
his passion and throw oil on the troubled
waters, as it were. Did you see him in
your wenderings through the hall? Did
you catch q glimpse Of his seraphic,
eherubic-?"
For mercy's sake, be quiet, put in
Alice, interrupting Nell's flow OF elo-
guence. you would set anyone crazy.
slC QOWQ, MdISdTeL. LlS W hcep
;ou from being talked to death. You
ook tired already"
Generous creature" retorted Nell.
Take this chair by me, Miss Margaret.
You'll be safe, really. Yes, uncle and
/ had glorious quarrel this morning.
/ cant remember what about. ven
tured to express an opinion on some SUBJ
Iect, I dare say. He differed with me.
30 we had regular battle. He 'ft,' as
ooor old Tom says, and defended my
self against the venom OF his tongue.
Alice merely grinned. When you came
q I was trying to tell her that such
tempers are hereditary, and therefore
she'd better look out.
Did she thank you for your advice?"
Thank me? Not she. Her natures
too ungrateful. There now! had a
question to ask you, and I've forgotten
1t already. Oh, yes! Is it really true
that you are going away? heard 30
this morning."
"Yes," answered Margaret, with q
sigh, Il am going tomorrow.
$50 soon?" asked Alice, coming be-
hind Margaret's chair and putting her
arms around her neck. How shall I
ever get on without seeing you every
day or so. I can't let you CO."
Margaret clasped Alice's hands in
hers.
IF it is hard for you, how mucn hard
er it is for me-" she answered,
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