The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-05-26

Tended the eye it would DE hard to eS.
plain, but he seemed to radiate an
underlined protest against the costumes
and customs of fashionable society.
MIR. Upton smiled at mo benignly, whis-
pered o few words to his wife, glanced
at his daughter proudly, placed his erm
in mine, and moved slowly toward the
exit.
II hate this kind of thing" he whis-
pered confdentially. 1T always re-
minds me of a cross between Turkish
bath and pawnbroker's shop"
! was rather shocked at this compari-
son, but smiled sympathetically. When
we rea he'd the smoking-room, seated
myself beside him and made remark
about the beauty of his daughter.
Pretty fine girl, he assented reflect
lively. Sorry she isn't boy, though.
Always wanted boy"
But" commented, holding lighted
match to his cigar, she will bring you
q SON."
He looked at me rather angrily.
There's a vast difference, my dear Sir,
between a son and q son-in-law. As
much difference as there is between
between-between mother and step
mother"
knowing what I did, his remark
startled me.
aYes, you are right. But some men
are hard to satisfy. You have pre-
possessing wife, beautiful girl, fame,
fortune and good health. And yet you
prumble because you do not possess
son. You are unerateful to fate. sir"
I had weighed MY man, and realized
that his rather coarse nature would
stand heroic treatment.
Perhaps you are right, he answered
meekly "A boy is apt to go to the bad.
It may be that am better off as it is. :"
How many fathers find their later
years unhappy because their sons are
not what they should be, l remarked.
But now and then son is great bless
ing. There is young Fernshaw, Cor ex-
ample. He must be a great comfort TO
his father. He is bright, industrious,
presentable. He stood high at college,
and is doing we'll as lawyer. Such a
son must be q source Of pride to his
parents"
l felt as though I had been talking
from Sunday school novel. Mr.. Upton
colored violently.
"A dude, sir. If I had son like that
1 would make him 60 West. New York
has spoiled Fernshaw.
He said this with 80 much emphasis
that did not dare to pursue the sub
iect. As soon as we had finished our
cigars we returned to the BALLROOM. ]
posed for awhile as wall flower. Mr..
UPTON had returned to his wife, and !
stood watching the dancers.
Presently Agnes Upton passed by on
the arm of Barnes. Her face wore
look Of animation, and she gazed up
ut him smilingly.
DO you see that? Just look there,
exclaimed an excited voice at my elbow.
turned and saw Fernshaw.
Whats the matter?" / asked, gently.
Matter" he returned, passionately.
Cant you see? Barnes thinks because
he is on the committee and assigned to
Agnes that he must monopolize her at
tention. 1t isn't fair. I'll resign from
the cub. I'll call him out. He has no
right to take such an advantage Of me. I"
Gently, my dear boy" l said sooth-
ing.y, leading him toward the smok-
DR.. Chapman has spent the evening
with Mrs. Upton. I have devoted my
self to the old man. You forget that
the rules Of the club make the duties of
q committeeman in su;h an affair as
this very arduous.
He puffed cigarette spitefully.
DO you think Barnes finds his task
upcleasant? He is to dance the cotillon
with her. He hasn't left her side. I
haven't a ghost of show. This comes
of being soft. Confound the club"
Il am shocked, Ferhshaw. You have
no right to talk in this strain. Barnes
is devoting himself to your interests.
He is a much older man than you, and
his impression OF Miss Upton will be OF
great value.
And how about Miss Upton's i'm
preston Of Barnes? Will that be OF
great value?"
! was silenced for the moment. Fern
shaw's jealousy was so acute that l
could not fnl words 10 reply to his last
remark. At length said:
BE q man. old fellow. You don't
want to marry girl who does not love
you. If she cares for you the aIIen-
tions Of Barnes will have no effect.
He seemed soothed for a moment,
and at that instant Barnes entered the
room.
uood-evening, he said, approaching
US and lighting cigarette. The COM
mittee seems very faithful tonight.
TOO id faithful, muttered Fern
shaw under his breath.
Pardon me, remarked Barnes, look
ing at him suspiciously.
Nothing. was expressing my graf
;{,,I