The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-03-01
could only do so by mortgaging Lew

could only do so by mortgaging Lev"
ens-hope.
It seemed to him, therefore, that It
would be an outrageous wrong to per-
NIT the fancy of mere girl to make
void all his plans to save two fine es-
tates-estates which in the end were
to belong to her and her children. In
fact, he told himself that he would not
and could not have any interference
with aproject so wise and so beneficial
for all concerned.
Nobody had interfered yet, but he
had suspicion of Mowbray, for he
noticed that the Katherine who talked
and danced with Wintoun was but q
colorless shadow of the Katherine who
talked and danced with Mowbray. She
was sweet and polite and cold to Win
toun. She was light and life and flame
with Mowbray. If Wintoun said low.
ing words to her they fell like snow.
flakes on steel; if Mowbray but looked
at her, his looks lightened her eyes
and burned in her cheeks and, flashed
in smiles her answer. The lovers had
told themselves they would be very
careful. They had promised Mrs.
Brathous to do or to say nothing which
would rouse the laird's suspicious;
but who ever succeeded in hiding
love? And whenever were two lovers
even ordinarily careful?
The next morning a circumstance
occurred which confirmed the anger Of
Brathous and brought about crisis
before any one was prepared for it.
The laird got into conversation with
his upper gardener and incidentally
heard from him that Mr.. Mowbray had
been o constant visitor during the
week he wes from home. Immediate
ly he sent a peremptory message to
Mrs. Brathous. When it referred hel
to the seldom used large drawing-room
she knew her husband had something
particular to say, and that he contem
plated saying it with all the emphasis
he desired. And she OWNED at once
the subject to be discussed.
The temper in which she intended
to discuss it was shown by the cir.
cumstance that she did not hurry her.
self in the least to answer the impera
tive order. Indeed she delayed SC
long that she found the laird stand
ing impatiently at the open door oi
the room, waiting for her approach.
"Why did you not come quicker,
HeIen?" he asked fretfully. IT sent
you word that you were to come in
haste"
'I was talking to Katherine. Why
did you send for me to come to this
room? Are you, really, at last, going
to get new carpet for it?'
"No, madam. I am not likely te
have money for new carpets. I chose
this room because I want to talk seri'
ously to you, and did not wish the
servants to hear u.s."
She smiled scornfully and asked:
"Pray what is the matter now?"
"Matter enough! Why did you
deceive me? Were you not afraid to
ask a stranger to my house while ]
was away? One would think you were
trying to make match between him
and Katherine-trying to ruin both
Katherine and ourselves. I am al
most beside myself with the news"
"Will you remember that it was
you who asked him when he was here
last? You who said, with your usual
ridiculous effusiveness: On your re-
turn, Mr.. Mowbray, come and stay
few days-a few weeks if you wish?'
If had not made him welcome, you
would have asked: How I dared to
turn one of your invited guests away?'
AS for match-making-that, it seems,
is your business. You have been
planning to marry my poor little girl
ever since you had the charge of her.
It has been your one care for Rather.
ine."
''I was planning for her happiness
and welfare"
"You we're planning for youi
nephew. jamie Wintoun may not ap.
pear to Katherine all that ne appears
to you. Katherine may not think il
a supreme JOY and privilege to use he,
money to release Wintoun-Lands-to
spare your mortgaging Levens-hope
Oh, I have reached the bottom of your
plans, Brathous! Understand this, ]
will not have my daughter sacrificed
to carry out your plans"
81 understand that you are going
to ruin your daughter. Who is this
Mowbrsy?"
"You said you knew him."
T"I will tell Doctor Telfair what ]
think of him. I will that! What
right has he to bring the fellow to my
home?"
"Speak to Doctor Telfair, by all
means! He will tell you some truths
you ought to hear. Quarreling with
you is no pleasure. shall not con-
tinue it."
"I am going to send Katherine back
to school,"
TO BE CONTINUED.