The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-10
; The Hsiress Of NurthWoOd
Observation-Disclosures

IT r EMMA ANNE HAYWARD!
Great Caesar. What u
q name" . r.,,, , u,,, +,
none of your confounded nonsense. l
suppose you want your wife to be
Daisy. or a Primrose or Lily-a
pretty wax doll, with fiaXen curls and
blue eyes, like the heroine Of a penny
novelette," And Colonel Beresford
smiled sarcastically as his eyes rested
on the handsome face of his son.
"You are very much mistaken, faith
er," replied the young man, as he
turned from the window from which
he had been gazing with admir.tion
on the fair scene which even winter
could not succeed in robbing of its
charm. II assure you 1 have no such
ideal as you describe. But don't you
admit that it is most unreasonable to
have my future wife chosen for me
without either consulting my wishes
or those of the lady herself? You know
we have never seen each other
.'Fiddlesticks" growled the colonel,
Hthat's all sentimental rubbish. Re-
member that Oakfeld Park is heavily
mortgaged, and we shall be beggars
If you throw away the chance OF this
brilliant marriage for the sake Of your
ridiculous sentiment. Why, there are
hundreds Of fellows in your position
who would envy you the prospect of
marrying the heiress Of NorthWood
Manor.
Besides" he added, in a more con-
ciliating tone, you will have plenty
of opportunity of seeing her. Lady
Westborough, her chaperon, has in
yited you to spend some time at North
wood for the purpose of making the
young lady's acquaintance. Her COM
ing of age will be celebrated in about
a month, and your engagement will
have to be announced at the ball which
will be given on that occasion. Before
Sir Philips death he made all these
arrangements. although his daughter
WAS then only six or seven years old.
The Door fellow had once been under
a great obligation to me. and he
Thought this was the best method OF
repaying it."
81 wish he had chosen some other
way of showing his gratitude. How
ever, I have no objection to becoming
acouairted with the heiress. but no
power on earth will compel me to
marry herr and a loud bang Of the
library door prevented all further re-
monstrance from the colonel.
q
Three weeks later.
The soft strairSof the intermezzo to
"Cavalleria Rusticana" were resound-
ing through the richly furnished draw
inc-room Of Northwood Manor, and as
the last chord of Mascagni's beautiful
composition subsidized the musician
rose from her seat and was about to
leave the room.
"Play that again, Miss Granville.
please do" pleaded young man, lay
ing aside the book in which he had
tried in vain to feel interested, anu
advancing toward the piano
That seems to be particular fav-
orite of yours. Mr.. Beresford. but I'm
afraid I cannot wait to play it over
hpain-Lady Westborough will be won
derine what has become Of me. You
must remember" She said, rs she
turned to collect some scattered pieces
of music, "you must remember that
am q dependent in this house. an!
nnly Miss Haywards companion. Con
.seouently, I cannot afford to spend
all nv spare moments at the piano.
however much l should like it."
81 can't bear to hear you talk In
that way" he exclaimed passionate
., ly.
"Oh, I am not making any com
plaint," she replied quickly. pretend
ing not to notice the unmistakable
tenderness in his tone. II am treated
very well-almost like one of the fami
". and I am quite content. But. in
. deed. I must go now and look after
Miss Hayward. She is laid up Will
a bad headache. and
"Oh, bother Miss Hayward" he
muttered impatiently. "Why are Eo'
always reminding me of her exist
ence?"
"You ought not to speak so disre
spectfully of your future wife. an'
there was the faintest suspicion o
raillery in her voice.
my future wife," he echoed sh'
IS not my future wife. I will never
marry the heiress of Northwood.'
The corners Of the girls mouth
twitched slightly, and there was a mis-
chievous sparkle in her dark eyes.
"You are very foolish" she said ST
allow a silly prejudice to spoil you
prospects in life-great heircsses ar
not to be met with every day. o.
course 'Jemima Anne is not exactly ;
pretty name, but that is no fault O
hers. After all"
"But it's not her name-its herself,
he interrupted, irritably. Il neve
met any one I disliked so much"
ooh" she exclaimed. II thought
was only her name you objected to-,
and she carelessly plucked off ths pei
hls of a flower which was fastened a
her belt.