The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-22
Copyright by Robert Bonner's Sons.
CHAPTER ".
CONTINUED.

Cl1aI 1bls L -
CONTINUED.
ct want oknow if you think so!'
exclaimed Mamie, with defiant toss
of her head. She had felt what was
coming, and dreaded it, for she knew
that she had been to blame. 'Iwasnt
aware that I had met with change,
as Deacon Snyder says"
"You know what I mean, well
enough" said Dick, hitching his chail
nearer the table where Mamie was
standing. "Since- since that Wayne
came you seem to have forgotten tina,
there is such fellow as Dick Brayton.
Why, Mamie, you hardly speak to me,
nowadays"
"Just hear that' cried Mamie, to
some invisible person. Hardly speak
to you, indeed! I'm sure I've spoken
to you as often as you have spoken to
me-"
''Well, yes, that may be, admitted
Dick. "But, you see, Mamie, I didn't
feel like talking, when I didn't know
rs you wanted me to talk to you. II
seemed rs if you'd rather listen to MIR.
Wayne" ),
'It seems that you're kind of jeal'
Gus of Mr.. Wayne" said Mamie, fold
ing the towel she was ironing with slow
and elaborate precision, as if all hel
energies were concentrated on doing
that one thing.
"Well, that may be-" said Dick
"Granting that it is so, Nannle,
haven't I right to be?"
''Not that I know Of" answered
Mamie.
'Before he came I supposed it was
understood between us that we were
to be married, some time" said Dick.
"Persons haven't any right to take
It for granted that anything is under
stood" responded Mamie, tartly.
"You never asked me to marry you,
that T remember Of"
ssPerhaps I was wrong in not saying
In so many words what it seemed to
me you understood we'll enough, "
answered Dick. cit seemed hardly
necessary. However, it isn't too late
10 ask the question now, is it Nannie?
'I don't know what you're limiting
It," said Mamie, beginning to hum a
tune, and concentrating her attention
On the ruffles of pillow-case.
"Just this" said Dick. "That ]
love you and want you to marry me.
Will you?" -,
"Why, Dick, how abrupt you are!'
exclaimed Mamie. "I don't want to
marry you-or any one else-yet
awhile"
"Don't keep afellow waiting to know
The worst or the BEST" said Dick, i'm
patiently. SIS it yes or no, Nannie?"
"II like you pretty well, answered
Mamie, "but I don't want to settle
down to washing dishes and sweeping
floors and cooking things to eat three
times a day, and nothing else from
morning till night, for long time yet.
want to see little of the world. ]
am going to coax father to let me so to
school this winter. I don't much think
I'd like housekeeping, anyway; and il
it's housekeeper you're wanting, 1
think you can find one that will an
swer the purpose good deal better
than I would. There's Lucindy
Smith"
"Hang Lucindy Smith" exclaimed
Dick, beginning to lose his temper.
"Yes OF no, Nannie?"
''No, then," answered Mamie, hel
temper rising in opposition to Dicks.
"That's the way to talk" cried
Dick. "Say what you mean, square
out. and don't waste words beating
about the bush, even if it does hurt 6
fellow little to hear it."
He got up, took his hat down from
its peg by the door and went out.
'I-I hope you don't blame me,
Dick" said Mamie, following him to
the door, feeling as if she would like
to cry, and, at the same time, partly
eyes, I do" answered Dick. 81
have reason to, too, and you know il
as we'll as I do. But we won't tall
about it. It's over and done with"
Then he turned and walked dowr
the path, and it was late at night be-
fore he came back and went to bed.
"What queer things men are!" Nan
ME said to herself as she cried herself
to sleep. II know didn't do JUS
right; but he needn't have been SC
Jealous, and he needn't have been Sc
foolish as to think a girl means every
thing she says"