The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-05-20
4 WOMAN'S
a - 49, INFLUENCE,

CHAPTER vi.


SOME VIEWS OF P0 VERIFY.
When Brian descended to the break
fast room next morning, he found Mar
garet alone.
She was standing near the open win
dow, and so intent upon arranging some
lilies in bowl that she did not notice
his presence until he was close beside
her.
His voice recalled her absent thoughts
and. looking up with a start, the warm
blood mounted to her brow, not"ltn-
standing her effort to control the mo-
mentary weakness.
aba said In answer to his Good morn
Ing"
and I did not expect to see you
alone, We are both disappointed-1
most agreeably. Will you allow me TO
assist your No? Perhaps you doubt
INV ability. I shall improve it by watch
Ing you. Or, better still, shall take
advantage Of this opportunity to tell
YOU that am sorry ever came here.
That is q poor compliment to Miss
Hilton and me, replied Margaret, with
an attempt at lightness, and an absorb
ing interest in her task.
l
with some warmth. you know why
the very sight Of you is painful for me.
You seem happy enough, but am ut-
terly miserable"
did YOU sleep well last night?" she
broke in, with questionable irrelevancy,
placing the flowers, which she could
make no further pretext OF fixing, In the
middle of the table.
aOo Jidp,t ot all waS the
rather short reply; Il was haunted"
Haunted! How unpleasant wonder
why they don't bring in breakfast.
Will you ring that bell by you, please?"
mo, no! Wait one moment, Mar
garet. I dare say the coffee isn't ready,
or the steak isn't cooked, or something.
I don't like my breakfast half done; be-
sides, I'm not hungry"
But l am; I've had long ride this
morning"
you didn't use to ride at S'conset
lConfound that hole! How l wish it had
been swallowed up before I ever saw it!
Why did you deceive me, Margaret?
You told me your name was Smith"
And so it was while I was there.
Others knew me as Miss Smith, why
shouldn't you?"
She colored in spite Of herself.
~You might have told me afterward,
he continued, reproachfully. What
difference it would have made!"
Il understand, she replied, with not
little scorn, and Brian, feeling that he
had committed himself again, was about
to say something in his own Yindication,
when the door opened and Miss Hilton
entered, thus putting an end to the tete-
a-tete.
He saw Margaret's expression Of re-
lief, and his heart sank accordingly.
But during breakfast she talked to him
30 pleasantly and naturally that lie be-
gan to feel less depressed. He was even
blaming quiet hour with her during
the morning, when she arose from the
table, with the words:
Il think shall ride over to The Cedars,
Miss Hilton. I haven't seen Alice since
my return, you know. I am sure you
and cousin Brian will have lots to talk
over, so I'll leave him in your hands"
Miss Hilton noticed the change that
passed over Brian's countenance, but
She answered quite cheerfully:
very we'll, my dear. You mustn't
neglect your friends. Brian and will
have nice, quiet morning together.
Don't let the Colonel keep you too
long"
After your remark about the quiet
morning, 1 think I'll spend the day"
was Margarets quiet rejoinder, as she
passed through the door which Brian
held open for her.
Twenty minutes later she had mount
ed her horse, and was following the
well-kept road through the busy little
town. But though she was nodding
every few. minutes to the people she
passed, her thoughts were far II sm her
present surroundings.
Certain ideas had obtained lodEmenu
In her mind and refused to be displaced
For the first time, the possibility thas
her uncle had looked forward to a union
between her cousin and herself came to
her with certainty that was absolute
pain. She recalled many incidents and
allusions, many half-forgotten CONVERSE
tions, which received O deeper meaning
from this new possibility.
She remembered that often, in speak
ing Of Brian, her uncle had said a good
wife would be his salvation, that home
ties would bind him to more useful
life, and that his most earnest desire
was to see his wayward son well and
happily married.
But she remembered, above oil, that
when her uncle lay dying he had awak-
ened after many hours Of unconscious
ness, to say, in accents which only hel
ear could catch: God will bless and
guard YOU, Margaret. Don't forget
Brian, and be good to him for my sake. !"
The request had sounded oddly then,
but now it had a new meaning. Was
her uncle looking into the future even
then, or did he in his dying moments
enjoy the happy delusion that his hopes
were realized:
Margaret was trying to answer this
painful question when she reached her
destinatior---z handsome. modern-look-
ing house, surrounded by stately cedars.
Running up the broad staircase, with
the air of one familiar with the sur
roundings, she paused before half
opened door, with the words:
May come in, Alice?"
For answer, there was glad cry; the
sound Of chair falling, followed by
rapid footsteps, and a pretty girl of a
brunette type rushed into Margarets S
arms and kissed her with affectionate
impetuosity. =,
.Oh, 1 am so glad to see you, she cried
between her spasmodic caresses. You
dear child, you've been away al age.
You look pale, too, or. perhaps it's this
black dress. Come right in. Every
things mussed as usual. There. take
my big chair, and consider yourself
quite privileged. So that wretched
place didn't quite kill you:"
No." laughed Margaret, allowing