The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-28
CHAPTER 1.


because 80 many people hired it and
fitted away again; being at first at
tracted by it's quaint prettiness, and
then reduced to despair by Its rambling,
impractical structure. The place,
therefore, had now been hired Tor
song; and q happy young voice was
singing it, not caring a sou for the
shadows and queer cupboard-ways OF
the house, except to think them pleas
ant stimulants to courage. A quick
step came along an echoing hall, and q
sweet, JOYOUS mans voice exclaimed:
You dear little thing, that is the
loveliest picture in the world that you"
here a young fellow reached the
room in which the singer sat, sewing
you have hung in my study. How
could you have painted it without my
knowing it?" The words we're finished
close to the shoulder Of very pretty
creature, who received many caresses.
"A dozen times you nearly discovered
the canvas upon my easel" laughed the
Young woman; and added: Il paid SIS
for that bunch Of white grapes, and you
can eat the reality any time you wish.
for they are as perfect as ever.
Just the thing for my birthday des-
sert," he cried, boyishly. you never
painted anything SO well; you are un-
mistakably little artist.
The young woman knew that she was
more Than little artist but, as she
was the wife Of the youth who spoke,
she smiled as if wholly satisfied by this
unawed commentator of her remark
able skill. Nothing was OF any conse-
quence 70 her but the love Of their COM
panionship.
AS they spoke, wailing sound ar
rested their attention; faint, but so out
OF accord with everything else-the
songs Of birds and the futtering Of
merry leaves in the breeZe-that they
looked questioningly into each others
"That's a new sound, isn't it?" OBJ
served the young husband, with an air
of saucy indifference; upon which his
wife shrugged her shoulders and an
swered that she fancied she had heard
1t before.
TT is spasmodic and harsh; unlike
the OWLS note" said he, still listen
ing.
However, these young folks had
happy spirits enough to make cheerful
the ins and outs OF their gray old home,
which lay along by the roadside in the
style of an ancient hostelry, low and
irregular and many-windowed. The
husband pirouetted, with his hands in
his pockets. .,
"Hullo, there, Thomas Prescott and
wife!' called somebody from the road.
They glanced out and saw couple Of
persons sitting in yellow pony cart.
These were neighbors from villa three
miles off, and were wearisomely pro-
sale and buxom and long married.
"Oh, are you there?" Tom Prescott
asked, resting his hands upon the win
dowsill, while his wife leaned grace
fully on her elbow. Come in, won't
your"
/ "Yes, do come in," his wife repeated,
with polished cordiality, and left her
chair to hasten downstairs to the door,
which was standing open and had ad-
mitted a gathering OF yellow elm leaves
that stretched along from it on either
side Of the wide hall, as If the floor
werela wood path.
z The visitors came in, bustling and in
tefested, amused to observe these
young pigeons.
We're off in few days from these
hills" announced Mr.. Minsing Bentley,
Tapping his driving glove on his left
hand. I'VE couldn't stand another rain
like the last one, in company with our
non communicative trees. If trees
could only do something besides nod
and sigh"
Now, do confess that you two are
beginning to waver about making o
much longer stay" laughed Mrs. Min
sing Bentley. gazing eagerly at Mrs:
Tom. Wont you come away with us?
You don't know how nice New York is
going 10 be this winter, or you never
would resist our advice.
"Lor', yes," cried Bentley. You'll
die in the first snow. Why, it's suicidal
to stay in such a ramshackle dear old
hole as the Lodge for more than sum-
mer!"
@We don't happen to think So" re-
sponded Tom Prescott. And isn't the
autumn enough to, satisfy ones soul in
tn g beautiful scene?"
And as for the first snow," cried the
young wife, Il am longing for it. do
hope there will be those magical snow
birds, that come SO uGheralded. just
when you would expect birds to dis
appear"
Tom helped his guests to some fine
old wine, although the table on which
he set the bottle was unpainted deal.
How crazy young things always are!"
Bentley vocferated. putting the glass
OF LIQUID gold to his lips. BY jove,
you're wise enNgh about your wine,
though, Tom, he added, draining the
last drop. Cora insists upon poor wine
for our cellar up here. But it is crazy
- ro,, 20 darn RI In nDaccicta6
Massachusetts,. I mean suburban
Massachusetts.
"Oh, on the contrary, we enjoy feel
ing isolated, and even moroSe now and
then" Mrs. Tom laughed, bravely.
Hear them!" exclaimed Mrs. Minis
ing Bentley, with q glance of worldly
Intelligence toward her husband, who
theatrically held up both hands.
In moment they all adjourned to
the study to look at the picture of
grapes; and Bentley bought a sketch
of azalias, which he declared was
perfect work or art
What else would you suppose"
cried his wife, "of a girl who had plenty
of encouragement from Bashkirseff's
Tony Don't you ever mean to 60
back to Paris. Nina?"
What a question to ask!" shifted
Bentley, looking haIi at Nina, as If the
truth was, the question was entertain
ing. Its all as good as over, of course.
Artistic propensities and married life
do not 60 together, for wives,very long!"
yet somehow the life one leads is
delicious" Nina gayly answered. She
stepped past a window, and looked out
for hesitating moment at the beauti-