The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-04-12
CHAPTER VI.
CONTINUED.

and my suspicious about him have
burned out to be correct. He will get
some plain words from me the next
time he tries to pass himself off as 6
great landed proprietor"
els he not Lordof Mowbray Manor;
From all can hear that estate is one
of the finest in Westmoreland."
s'He is not; he said he was, but he
is not"
ct am sure he thought he was. Nc
man could carry an assumed position
with the perfect ease and dignity
Mowbray constantly exhibited"
"Why do you defend him? He il
your rival"
"The truth is truth, even about my
rival"
He rose from the piano at thess
words, with the air of nan reluctant
to carry on conversation.
"You see, Jamie, I sent Langton tc
Mowbray. He has found out some
very strange things. Mowbray him
self has fed to America"
"Fled! Icannot believe it."
"He is in New York, or very neal
It, by this time"
81 am sorry for Katherine"
t'Sorry, indeed! 1t is o grand thing
for o girl to be taken out of the tempta'
tion of such like scoundrel. hope
he will stay his lifetime in America.
There is now nothing between you and
Katherine, Jamie, and the sooner you
are married the better"
jamie did not answer q word.
"Do you not think so?"
"No."
81 am sure T might as we'll live be-
tween the devil and the deep sea as
between you and Katherine. Neither
of you knows your own mind two days
together"
"Katherine's mind is my mind. Can
I marry her against her desire? No,
sir. I will not upon my honor! lam
tired Of the whole subject"
"Tired- of Katherine?"
eyes, if you like to take it so. lam
tired of being lectured and advised
and planned for. You have. no right
to interfere between Katherine and
myself. It is piece of meddlesome
impertinence to fix any ones wedding
day for them. If Katherine and I
never marry, it is your fault entirely,
uncle"
"Katherine would have married you
if that scoundrel. Mowbray had not
come this way. Confound the man!
And confound the minister for bring
ing him to Levens-hope"
"Swear at your enemies to their
faces and not behind their backs-that
is the way of the border. wish the
subject of my marriage dropped. I
will not have it spoken of in my house
apain until it can be discussed in O
different spirit"
"Perhaps you would rather discuss
the subject of your overdue mortgage
on Wintoun House?"
eyes, I would. Let me know the
worst of the matter. I am tired of
that threat, also. How soon do you
intend to foreclose? I will roup my
whole estate and 60 to India with the
residue rather than be hectored and
threatened byyou any longer"
"Well, sir, will threaten no more;
I will act"
"That is threat also."
''You will find out. If I did right 1
would take my walking stick and give
you the beating I ought to have given
you pretty often when you were a
poor, silly, friendless boy"
Jamie smiled and looked at the
blackthorn shaking in his uncle's
hand. He had no fear of that threat,
and he did not heed its futile bravado.
He opened the parlor door and, bow
ing politely, answered:
"When you can visit me in more
reasonable temper, uncle, I will gladly
receive you. Silly T have often been;
but never poor or friendless; and that
I have not many more friends is ell
tirely your fault"
"Do you order me cut Of the house? I?
What do you mean, sir, by standing
with the open door in your hand?
Shameful! Shameful!'
"We will both of US so out of the
house, uncle. Your horse is wa.!-
ing, and gallop over tho hillo will be
better than quarreling over lost
cause"
81 never expected such treatment
from you, Jamie-never."
81 never expected you to provoke
me to it, uncle"
They had walked together as far rs
the laird's horse. The animal was
champing on its bit and kicking up
the gravel in q temper that very we'll
suited his masters, aud Wintoun held
him by the head until tho laird mount
ed. Then he turned away into the
thick shrubbery and cndeavored to
collect his thoughts and control the
angry passions raised by the inter
view.
A sudden clearness of apprehension
had come to him. He was amazed at
the relief which mere assertion Of his
right to refuse Katherine had given
him. A wonder aud q suspicion
never before entertained now insisted
upon being heard But if jamie was
warmth hearted and honest he was not n
very clear or decided reasoner. He
wanted someone to reason for him.
Choosing was always difficult men
tai exercise, and his hesitation was
real and painful. Indeed, jamie
Wintoun was ono of those men for
whom it is mot good to be alone" A
ouiet sit with his own heart gave him