The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-02-14

Ederiagly from telling her
This time they reached Mrs.
iesworth's lawn and with short,
Oh can't say; intuition, suppose. "
he hastily crossed over to where the
fair, slender Eva Cbarlesworth was
standing, racquet in hand, talking to
the favorite and scapegrace of the
place, Hal Armitage. Neither of these
two particularly wanted him, and
after little while Eva gracefully sent
him back to Estelle, who did not play
tennis and who had been left stranded
on a garden chair, while the rest of
the guests were occupied with the
game. She felt so neglected and un.
comfortable that it was quite relief
to her when Rivers came and sat down
beside her.
awe ought to fraternize," he said,
drawing his chair rather forward, so
a. to get q good view Of her face,
'since we neither of US play this all
engrossing game. Are you over in
England for lOng?"
Estelle allowed herself to be gradual.
| ly drawn into conversion, and was
getting quite interested in comparing
notes with him about the Riviera,
when an amused approving little NOD
and smile from Mary brought the
color to her face. She was complete
child in many respects, and her vexa'
ton at finding herself blushing was SO
great that the tears started to her eyes:
Rivers wondered what on earth had
happened, but if his manners were
abrupt, his good feeling was rarely at
fault, and he showed tact now.
II brought home no end of memen.
toes" he continued quietly, "and
among them some flow ers from Men.
tone-roots, + mean-which 1 planted
in the garden here for Mrs. Charles
worth. Would you like to see
them?"
Estelle sprang up, ready to 60 any
where rather than continue to sit with
her face in full view of all the players
She was sure every one must be look.
ing at her. But in few minutes,
thanks to Rivers tactics, she was
herself again, and inwardly determin'
ed to pay Mary of:
This little episode had cured her o1
her dislike to the young engineer, ano
before the evening was over her feel
ings had undergone further revul'
sion. She and Mary were asked, with
some of the other guests, to stay to the
eight o'clock supper at Mrs. Charles
worth's, and later on there was 8
general vote for music. Estelle was
known to have beautiful voice, but
she was exceedingly nervous, and
could not be prevailed upon to sing TIL
Eva suggested that she should be sup
ported by a violin obligato. .
"That would give me courage,
,Estelle admitted, land I know thit
9song for voice and violin; but who il
this virtuosow
"Oh, my fiddle and I are at home II
this drawing-room," said Rivers, com
ing up quickly, and drawing out thu
case from under low settee.
Estelle regarded him doubtfuhy
making up her mind that she shoulc
stop singing at once If his playing die
not please her. She need not have
been alarmed. He was q thorough
musician, and soon she confessed tt
herself that she had never been accom-
panied with such instructive sympathy
Her mellow voice gathered strength
and evenness as she felt she could rely
on the response of his violin to 1T
faintest infections, and at the end o.
the song their eyes met in a glance
of mutual understanding and admira
ton.
Hal Armitage looked over towards
Eva Charlesworth with a significan
chuckle.
"Our good Arthur is smitter," h
said-"settle and done for"
Eva followed the direction Of hi
eyes, and appraised Estelle critically
~ hope it may be so," she answered
gently.