Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1898-01-19

-ls9@ j5E He's come back
K -ySS 1aeh Isss, and nda,s Tanss ss
to pay US visit. Of course he shall
the sooner the better. Why, it's
twenty years since set eyes on the
dear old fellow
Now, when Mr.. Clinton mentioned
MacPherson's name, Miss Nabb, his
guest, gave slight jump.
f'Is that Major Macpherson Of the
-" she inquired, in an unnaturally
natural voice, if the expression mayb be
used.
''That's the man. I was at school
with him--let me see-why more than
thirty years ago, and, though I have
seen nothing aud heard little of him
since he went to India, we are sworn
friends for life. Have you met him,
then?" And Mr.. Clinton cast quick,
scrutinizing glance atpoor Miss Nabb.
''I rather think" she gasped out,
''that he must be man used to see
good-at least, something of, once
upon time"
Then Miss Nabb took long sip of
tea. being apparently under the i'm
preston that the large breakfast cup
would conceal the color Of her cheeks.
If ever there was typical old maid
it was Miss Nabb. She had "nerves"
and some years before had consulteda q
doctor, who had given her medicine
which, as he cynically remarked. to a
friend, would act powerfully on her
imagination D
After the CO: .versation ut the break
fast table already described, Miss
Nabb's nerves were much in evidence.
Not that they were in pain, but they
were all in hutter.
ct think, perhaps, I had be- -
off in day or two," she rema
Mrs. Clinton.
''Why?" answered her host
feigned surprise. eve were
you would stay with us for at 's,
fortnight
"But won't you want my re
for another visitor? He's com.
suppose?"
''The day after tomorrow,
Eut there are plenty of spaI
rooms"
Now Miss Nabb knew there were
plenty OF spare bedrooms and Mrs.
Clinton knew that she knew it, but
Miss Nabb had got information she
burned to receive and she actually
thought her willingness was not dis
covered.
And then she thought that perhaps
IL was her duty to stay and recruit her
health, and her thoughts took new
direction.
Two days after carriage drew up
to the door. There was as great q re-
moving of rugs as it had been mid
winter and then the cheerful sounds
of old, long separated friends greeting
in the hall.
':Come into the library" cried Mr..
Clinton. "Its warmer there, but I'm
afraid there isn't fire, and the tenn
perature is under ninety degrees.
Why, you don't look scrap changed!"
Miss Nabb did not put in an appear
ance till tea time Then she entered
in a casual sort of way, and with such
remarkable composure that only her
heightened color betrayed her inward
agitation.
s;Nliss Nabb, Major Macpherson.
Miss Nabb tells me that she rather
thinks you arc On old acquaintance.
"Oh-ah-um! How do you. do?"
said the Major, shaking hands with
stiff courtesy and a most elaborate
bow.
Chow do you do?" said Miss Nabb.
cob! is that my tea, Maria? Thank
you so much!"
Then the Major pulledhis moustache
and sat on the edge of the chair,
while Miss Nabb nursed her teacup
on a sofa at the other side of the
room.
Next morning was wet, and Miss
Nabb discovered for the first time that
the drawing room was draughty-a fact
which Mrs. Clinton did not believe,
but under the circumstances would
not deny. The result was that the
spinster had to take her knitting into
the library.
"I hope the gentlemen won't make
an incursion,' she said, 'sbut if they
do I can clear ont.
She had not been seated there long
in solitary state before tie door opened
and she was alarmed by the appear
ance of both Mr.. Clinton and Major
MACPHERSON. Sheimmedlately entered
upon furried explanation and apol-
ogy.
'sQuite so, quite So, said her host,
''but we don't object to ladies' society,
do we? Eh, Major?"
"Not at all" ierked out the Major,
and then he gave dry little cough.
"Well, now, I must be off for half
on hour to interview that confounded
gardener of mine. You will excuse me,
won't you?"
For some time silence reigned in
the room, the Major to all appear
ances intent upon his paper, and Miss
Nabb, though most anxious for con-
versation, hoping that she might no!
have to begin.
But the clock moved on, and the
Major. when he had finished one page
of the Times, simply turned over and
started on q fresh one, aud the good
laly's patience began to give way.
'sDo you suffer from toothache?"'
she asked, casually, ''as You used to
when"
"Not often-not often now, though
this villainous climate may bring it