The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-02
TAKING A BRIDE.

"Well, Helenette," said to my
pretty housekeeper, "yOu came to INT
lust five years ago to-day"
"Yes," she assented, scarcely look
ing up from her breakfast dishes she
was modest and unassuming woman
"During these busy years / have
paid every dollar of the 5000 agreed
10, and the farm Is now mine"
She smiled demurely upon me. bu,
made no comment, 30 I continued
"You have been q participant In al
the details of my domestic life."
"Certainly, Mr.. Bolingbroke." And
she turned curious gaze on me for the
first time.
l may as we'll he plain and say al
once that, in the vernacular Of tht
shire where lived, l was an odd stics
However, l had good habits, . good
farm, and friends sufficient.
III would like to take walk over the
farm, aud be accompanied by you,
other matters not interfering" l said
"Other matters will not interfere u
she responded In her unObtrusive way
We were soon on the way, and
commented ON all we saw.
Five hundred acres; 5000. A
thousand dollars for every 100 acres
aud, Helenette, The place Ia mine !"
"You have done remarkably well
in 50 short a season. You deserve
much praise"
There on my left the everlasting
hills arise, their SUBMITS densely COW
cred with OAK, spruce. pine, and trees
Of lesser quality" -,
"Yes. the timber alone is worth
81 OOO."
"No doubt. Then there il the luxu.
riaut meadow, the fertile fields, the
rowen. patch, n pasture sufficient for q
large herd of cattle, q goodly flock OF
sheep, dozen horses, and two beau
tiful brooks cross and recross my fields.
Surely there seems to be nothing lack
ing"
/ tried to take note of her expression
as ended the last sentence but her
countenance did not change. She
seemed to he gazing off over the far
away hills. She said very pertinent
ly. however: =.
"And there Is the sugar orchard.
That ought to net you $500 per year" '"
III WILL.
could not help noticing how very
practical she was in her observations.
Your buildings are in good repair
your farm is well stocked, you enjoy
he best of health" went on Helenette.
"Your earthly lot Is enviable. May
your prosperity ever continue"
l looked Mt her intently. But that
sweet face betrayed no emotion.
"You think the picture Is complete?'
| said.
"Yes, financially"
but money Is not everything. There
IL one lack. The earthly picture can
not be complete to me without 1t. Can
you guess what 1t is?"
mo"
II want wife,"
We both paused then, but her coun.
tenance did not change.
"A wife ?" she said In matter-of
fact manner.
Eyes"
"You seem to be very happily situa'
ted now yet the right kind Of wife
would be useful addition to the farm
Yes, you should marry"
II thank you, Helenette. Your ad
vice has always been good. l shal
consider 1t carefully"
BY this time we had returned to the
house, and us she walked in, leaving
me outside, | thought: "When
take my new wife, Helenette will bt
the best help for indoors | can secure. '
From that moment | beIan paying
more attention to dress than l had
done, and with such success that
Congratulated myself on my genera
Improvement. I never was rated
modest maA.
One day | dressed myself carefully
barnessed up my finest team, and pre-
pared for Journey. Helenette stoot
ut the door TO see me of.
"Helenette," said, "l'm going 4
town. may he gone week. | may
be gone month. During my absenc'
YOU and John will keep the farm II
running order, aud on my return
hope to introduce you to your futur
mistress" | clucked to the horses
without waiting for any reply to Hel
enette. To my dying day shall neve
forget the strange look that came int
her face. gave it scarcely a second
notice, however, but dashed down TIL
two-mile road leading to the village.
Going to town, Neighbor Boiling
broke?" =,
Looking over my shoulder, | behel
Mr.. DaysOn, u well-to-do farmer VIII
lived a mile below my own farm, com
ing with his fine span OF grays, tn
beams of health irradiating his coun
tenance. >,
! MYes-I,m Wife.hunting," ] sale