The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-04-26

On Mrs. Brathous fell the residue
of the laird's wrath and fears. He
went to her room vibrating with pas
sion and wounded self-esteem.
This is shameful to-do, Helen,
he cried. This is a most outrageous
INSULT There never was more ILL
used man. am demented with the
shame that has come to me. And
you, Helen! There you sit as calm as
a sucking baby, while that migrate
full girl of yours is bringing disgrace
on me and mine. I always told you
what Katherine Janfarie was. little
snake in the grass. Just think OF
your daughter running away from
home and friends and good name"
Take care, Alexander"
cit is too late to take care, ma'am.
wish he may marry herl only
wish he may! I am feared he will
have too much sense; little, deceit
full huzzy."
Then the mothers patience failed,
and she said, with sincere satisfac-
tion:
katherine was not deceitful-not
in the least! knew all about her mar
riage. Jamie knew all about it. Jessy
knew all about it. All of US have helped
Katherine and Mowbray. They were
married at Jamie's house. You must
have passed the door while the min
lister from Innerleithen was making
them man and wife. jamie is going
to marry Jessy Telfair. He has been
in love with Jessy for a long time, and
Jessy was in love with him. Katherine
and made that match-a sweet, hon
est love.match as ever was. Now,
Alexander, that is all about it. You
never thought of any one but yourself,
and you would have gladly made four
people miserable to carry out your own
selfish plan for uniting two bits of
land. Iwould not suffer such thing.
No, sir!''
II ought to have been told"
"To what purpose? I would have
told you if you had been reasonable
man. But to say NO to your YES
it would have been as wiselike as to
shake red rag in the face of raging
bull"
II do not care so much about Kath-
crime. She has aye been thorn IN
my flesh. But Jamie! jamie Wintoun
to marry Jessy Telfair! 1t is beyond
bearing. And it is you and that i'm
pertinent minister's lassie that have
been teaching Jamie lately to set him
self against ME in everything-yes,
even about such small matter as the
painting of his bedroom.
"What had you to do with the lads
bedroom? You were ever too meddle-
some. No one can stand you. I do
not blame Jamie for riddlng himself
of you. He has chosen clever wife,
and you may make up your mind to
let Jamie's affairs alone for the future.
"You have deceived. me, ma'am!
You have deceived me! The whole
countryside shall know Of it!''
"The whole countryside will take
you for their laughter. Now, Alexan-
der, you have said enough and too
much. If you do not behave yourself,
I will make you sorry that You ever
were born. I am tired, and want to
so to sleep. Katherine is away DER
the border by this time. What cannot
be cured must be endured Go to bed
and sleep. You are tit for nothing
else."
81 will go to the minister. I will
give him the plain truth"
And you will get it also. I advise
you to let Doctor Telfair alone. He
knew nothing about the matter"
"It is all his planning"
cit is not. I planned it. There
was no planning. Events just grew
to ripeness day by day"
II never heard of such treatment
Of husband. Never! Never! It is
shameful! Shameful"
"Go to bed, SIR"
81 will not. I want some comfort.
will speak my mind"
And thus the wretched night went
on, full of turmoil and reproaches,
but the mother comforted herself with
the thought of her child's happiness.
And she hoped that the morning
would bring jamie and good news,
nor was she disappointed. jamie
came about noon.> He was shining
with satisfaction. He had seen the
minister, and his own marriage was
arranged for. Fortunately for him he
had been delayed long enough to al
low the laird to speak to the minister
first. In fact, the outraged Brathous
had entered the manse parlor while
Jessy was smilingly pouring out her
fathers coffee.
"How did you get here, Miss Tel
fair:" asked the laird, angrily.
THE minister from Innerleithen
brought me home"
"Humff-ff! And when did you get
home, sir? Or were you hiding last
night from me?"
81 hide from no man, laird. I got
home half an hour ago. Is it any of
your business ?"
Eyes, it is"
Then the laird told his story, and
told it with very angry additions and
interjections, and in the very midst
of the passionate recital Jamie Win.
toun came in nd explained his sh are
in the matter, and this necessitated
the confession of his love for Jessy
and the asking of her hand from her
father. He was constantly and
wrathfully interrupted by Lis uncle,
but Wintoun at this hour was manly
enough. He said firmly:
II love your daughter, Doctor