The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-25

fore her, in a dark-blue serge dress,
and sailor hat of black straw, while
across her shapely shoulders was
slung O fiat black satchel, traveller
wise.
"Mrs. Sweetclover, I suppose9"
said she.
The widow courtesied an affirmative.
IT am Matte Milfoil, " said the lady.
IT rented your room, last week, of
Dewey & Salter."
"Dear mel" thought the widow.
cam I dreaming?"
''I like the situation very much"
continued Miss Milfoil, looking at the
curling edges of foam that crept up the
beach at the left, and then at a MUIR
muring grove of maple trees at the
north. ST shall probably remain here
until Christmas, if am suitedl"
ttBut the room is let alreadyw fall
tered Mrs. Sweetclover, at last recover
ing her voice.
"Taken alreadyw repeated Miss Mil
foil '-But that is impossible. have
taken il
''Thero's some mistake at the Board
ing Agency" said Mrs. Sweetclover,
almost ready to cry. ''It's been let
twice; and I never knew of it until
this moment. Oh, dear! oh, dearl It
never rains but it pours"
"But what am I to do?" said Miss
Milfoil.
Mrs. Sweetclover's faded eyes light
ed up with faint CLEAN of hope.
"I've only the eligible apartment on
the second floor" said she; "but if
you don't mind the garret, there's
nice, airy room finished off there, with
two dormer windows overlooking the
ocean"
"I'll look at if, said Miss Milfoil.
She looked at it, and she liked it,
and she straightway sent to the village
for her trunks, unpacked her books,
her work-basket, her writing-desk and
her portable easel, arranged some sea-
weed over the mantle and made her
self at home.
Mr.. McCorkindale, going upstairs
from the dinner table that very day,
heard sweet, clear voice, singing the
refrain of some popular ballad, from
the upper story.
"Eh!" said Mr.. MoCorkindale. "Is
that your daughter?"
"It's my lady boarder, sir" said
Mrs. 'Sweetclover.
"Look here" said Mr.. McCorkin-
dale, stopping short-''this won't go
down."
"What won't go down, sr?" said
the bewildered landlady.
"No other boarders taken, you
know" said Mr.. Corkindale. "That
was my express stipulation"
"I'm very sorry, sir" said Mrs.
Sweetclover, ''but-"
"And I'm not going to be trifed
with" said Mr.. Corkindale. "Either
she or I must go"
couldn't it be managed, sir?" said
the landlady, half terrified out of her
senses.
"No, it.couldn't" said Mr.. McCork-
indale.
At this moment, however, Miss Mil
foil herself made her appearance on
the scene, tripping down the stairs In
a quiet, determined sort of way, and
facing the indignant elderly gentleman
as he stood there.
"What's the matter?" said Miss Mil
foil.
"The matter" said Mr.. MoCorkin-
dale, sis simply this. I have engaged
my board here, on the express under
standing that I am to be the only
boarder."
II see," said Miss Milfoil. "And I
am in the way"
Mr.. McCorkindale was ominously
silent.
"But," said Matte, with an engag-
ing smile, eff I promise to be very
quiet, and to refrain from annoying
you in any manner Whatsoever"
"It would make no difference" said
Mr.. McCorkindale. 'I object to
young women"
But" cried indignant Matte,
Suppose were to object to middle
aged gentlemen on no better pretext?"
"You are perfectly welcome to do
so," said Mr.. Corkindale, stifiy.
"You see, am an old bachelor"
"And I am On old maid" pleaded
Matte.
"It makes no diference-no differ
ence at ALI" said Mr.. McCorkindale.
81 am sorry to disappoint you, Mrs.
Sweetclover, but"
"Stop" said Matte, resolutely.
"Mrs. Sweetclover, if either of your
boarders leaves you, it is I. I came
last, and 1 occupy the least remunera-
tive room. will take my departure
on the noon train tomorrow"
And Matte went back to her room
and cried little; for she had become
very fond of her pretty little room
already.
cat all events" said Matte to her
self, "I will get up before daylight to-
morrow morning, and have one good
swim in the surf"
She supposed, when she came out
the next day, in her dark-blue bathing
suit and the coarse straw hat tied
down over her eyes, that she would
have the coast clear. But she was
mistaken. Mr.. McCorkindale was
padding, like a giant purpose, in a
suit of scarlet and gray, among the
waves. He had always wanted to learn
to swim, and here was a most eligible
opportunity.
HHa don't see me-n said Matte. to