The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-03-15

must come out OF Paradise ana be Just
common mortals again"
They came out with sigh, though
her kindly imperativeness took away
some of the sentimental regret. And
then she so managed the situation as
to place Katherine and Wintoun to-
gether, while she rather ostentatious-
ly walked at Mowbray's side. The
laird saw them approaching, and his
loose mouth puckered and his eyes
sought some explanation from his wife.
She was arranging the tea cups, and
as her hands moved to and fro she
said sweetly:
"Now. Alexander, you must not be
less than a gentleman. Mr.. Mowbray
has come to bid you 'good-by.' You
gave him welcome for his fathers sake;
do not spoil your kindness at the last
hour"
He had no time to rebel against the
charge. Mr.. Mowbray's perfect man
ner and courteous words asked for the
return, and with his wife's eyes upon
him the laird did not feel equal to a
dispute.
Wintoun also treated his rival with
courtesy which, however cold, was
at least irreproachable. Evidently he
was determined to give the laird no
opportunity of lifting his quarrel, ard
Brathous could hardly quarrel on his
own account without making Kathe-
rine the cause; and there were many
considerations against such step. So
the laird said "Good afternoon, sir, !"
and determined to speak nc more.
But no one was long proof against
Mowbray's charming geniality, and he
had almost lifted both his host and
his rival to his own pleasant temper,
when servant brought into the cheer
full group a telegram. It was for Now
bray, and had been sent to Galashiels,
an from there to the minister's, and
so on to Levens-hope.
He read it with polite impassive-
ness, handed it to Mrs. Brathous, and
said:
"The message hurries my departure
for the Mr.. Abraham Hewett, who
is dying, is my fathers oldest friend.
I cannot neglect his request, and
must say farewell at once"
He bowed to Wintoun, thanked the
laird for his hospitality, and then
turning to Mrs. Brathous gave one
hand to her and one to Katherine.
There was not q word uttered by
Katherine. Mrs. Brathous spoke
some hurried sentences that meant
nothing at all, and at the same time
answered his entreating eyes with q
look that meant all he asked. His
last glance was for Katherine, and he
was turning rapidly away, when Jessy
said:
"Will you not shake hands with
me, also, Mr.. Mowbray? I thought I
was one of your favoritss. Good-by!
Be sure and write to US. Father will
want to know if you forget Gala
Water"
She gave meaning to this injunc-
ton which he understood and an
swered; and then he was gone, and
the tea had lost all favor, and the
laird was gruff and injured and had
nothing to say; and the girls stole off
to .Katherine's room to talk about the
lover and the telegram.
"He did not look much troubled"
said Jessy. "People' do not, as
rule, worry about their fathers
friends. You will get letter to-mor-
row. A love-letter! Oh, Katherine,
love-letter!'
The girls looked at each other with
shining eyes, and then sighed for the
very Joy of anticipation. They took a
map and railway guide and followed
the line Mowbray would be likely to
take; and Katherine said over the
names of the stations softly and mu-
sically. They were little stations on
crowded map, but they were clear
and vivid to her eyes. She specu-
lated as to the moment at which her
lover would pass each of them.
"And he will reach Mowbray about
sunrise, I should think, Jessy," she
said.
He reached it in that still chill hour
before sunrise. The village was
asleep; the sheep on the mountain
slopes were asleep; the silence and
mystery OF sleep brooded over every
thing, animate and inanimate. Mr..
Hewett's house was on the outskirts
of the place, a pretty stone dwelling
in the midst of fower-garden. Now
bray opened the gate and, with swift
steps, passed the tagged walk to the
door. 1t stood wide open. Mowbray
knew Mr.. Hewett's room, and he
went there. He found his friend
sitting by the open window, and evil
dently suffering.
"I saw thee coming, Richard" he
said.
81 am sorry, Mr.. Hewett; lam very
sorry, indeed"
NAY, nay. Richard! I have had
my hour, and done my work. I am
ready to 90 as soon as I have bit of
talk with thee. Take thypencil and
write down what T say. Why, man
Never look so scared. There is moth
ing to hurt thee. I haven't murder or
theft or anything wicked to tell thee. "
''I am not fearing for myself"
"I know. have heard tell. lean
fancy bit more. A bonny lass-a
Janfarie beauty. There have been
many of them. The Janfaries are q
handsome lot of men and women.
Well, it is because of her I speak.
There must be no mistakes made-all
must be open and honest-eh, Rich