The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-13
CIoth} th}iine.
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| flood, am sure there IS not one OF them
I could love as I do Ralph, or would
care to marry"
| You are talking nonsense, said the
| Doctor, getting angry as men usually
| do when they persist in debate IN
| which they are being worsted. Did you
not tell me that you would not marry
Ralph Denham without my con sent:"
Il did, father?"
Then why do you keep on loving
him?"
Because, as 1 told you before. I could
not help it if I would. and would not II
| could"
This is rank disobedlence! cried the
| Doctor, rising.
Il certainly do not intend it as such, '
replied Lea. still calm and firm. adding.
Il never have, and promise now never
to introduce the subject so disagreeable
to you"
Hear me, Lea" DR.. Hedges sat
down and pulled his high-back chair
closer to his daughter.
Il am listening, father.
Next to the duty I owe my Creator.
you are the one object in life for which
I live"
lou lOiSeO uOIhCi.
@Oh. replied the Doctor, with much
adroitness, she and I are one-one and
the same person. as Squire Condlt
would say. If I could see you well
m married and settled before l passed
away, death would be robbed OF all his
terrors.
Il believe what you say"
Now, I have husband in my mind;
he is rich, ne must be Of noble family,
and I am sure he loves you.
DR.. Hedges stopped and looked at his
daughter, confident that she, with the
curiosity which is said to distinguish
her sex, would ask him who the man
was. But she went on with her sewing,
and seemed as indifferent as If she had
heard an allusion to the man In the
moon.
The Doctor was perplexed, aud he
made up his mind to have her manifest
more interest in the man Of his choice.
DO you not know who the gentleman
is?" be asked.
a. do not.
Don't you want to know2" more an
grily.
why should n"
Because all the chances are that he
will be your husband" with great We
hemence.
My own consent is essential to my
marriage. But, dear father, why
plague yourself with troubles that ex-
ist only in your Imagination. Let us
wait I will be dutiful, loving and
obedient to you. There is no danger Of
my leaving you 80 long as you and
mother need me. There, and there,
and there. And she came up behind
him, and, throwing her white arms
about his neck, kissed his knotted brow
with every closing word, till the
wrinkles melted and he went out, not
quite sure th at he had not been making
something of fool Of himself.
Five days since Ralph Denham sailed
away in the Wanderer, and a reply
should have come from him in three
days.
There has been fair wind all the
time. either for coming or going" said,
Lieut.. Hedges, addressing his nephew,
Valentine Dayton. There can be no
doubt but the captain got up to New
York the night Of the day he left h ere,
vet there is no word from him."
1T isn't like Ralph to write at once,
said Valentine, thoughtfully, adding:
But depend upon it, he has good ex-
cuse."
NO, there can be no excuse for neg
lected duty, unless it be in case Of
strong sickness" said the bluff lieu
tenant.
But the captain may be sick.
No danger OF that.
What makes you think 80, Uncle
George" .
Because IL he was to get sick he'd
send a,post through with all speed to
tell the officer left in command OF the
ship"
But sup posing he was unconscious?
Then some dne else would do it for
him. Capt. Ralph Denham is too big
man to be hid away in New York City,
to which the Gor'nor ordered him, and
bo sick, and us not told Of it at once. |"
why, Uncle George. you talk as if
you blamed the Captain"
DO I, now?"
You certainly do"
"Then I belle my intentions. The
man as blamed Cap'n Ralph in my COM
p'ny would find himself keel-hauled in
no time" said Lieutenant Hedges,
bringing his big brown palm down heav-
lily on his knce. But. I'll tell you, Val,
amt been easy since the lad left; he's
in my thoughts py cay, ana at night !
dream and dream, and keep on dream
ing bout him"
you are nervous suggested Valen-
tine.
"Nervous!" exclaimed Mr.. Hedges,
who had an idea that nervousness was
variety OF sickness brought on by
fear. Il don't brag, Val. but there's
them as has known me, man and boy,
for five and forty years, and even them
| that didn't like me never dared to say l
was nervous"
You misunderstood me, Uncle
George" said Valentine, and he pro-
ceeded to explain the more modern
| meaning OF the word, after which the
| Lieutenant was much Modified.
4Yes, lad. I'm unstrung. that is the
downright truth, and I'd give all my
| share OF the prize money made on the
last cruise If I saw the Captain coming
up that path.
Mr.. Hedges pointed to the path lead
| ing from the veranda on which they were
sitting before Squire Condit's door. to
the road that went down to the town,
| and out to the LAID Of the Montauks.
At that instant the gate swung open,
and the messenger or post-rider
Thrasaer by name. who had brought
the order. on which Ralph Denham lett
appeared with his garments travel
stained, and his saddle bags over hI
shoulder.
CHAPTER XVI.