The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-04-02
facetiously, refining 10 one side that he

facetiousiy, reining 10 one SIDE that ne
might pass.
"No, keep on; I'm not bound fol
the village to-day; I turn toward Mr.
Darts at the next corner. But, my
dear Bolingbroke. you have left the
woman you want behind"
"What do you mean ?"
"Helenette's the wife for you. She's
economical, capable, and you're more
than half In love with each other"
"Gammon! She thinks OF nothing
but her work."
"Go hack and find out II I'm not
right. Why, you ought to marry her!
She's helped to buy the farm"
My neighbor drove on, leaving me
to ponder over his words. I remem-
bered the look on Helenette's face as
drove away. What II it should be-"
"Hello Can you tell me how far 1t
Is to Gordon Bolinghroke's?"
l looked up to see q gentlemanly
looking person standing In the road.
why do you wish to know"
II want to see his housekeeper, Hell
enette Rathburne. Having decided to
take q wife, intend to make her q
proposal"
I was dumbfounded for o minute ;
then I said curtly:
"Gordon Bolingbroke's farm Is just
one mile from here. Take the first
road that leads to the right. GoOd.day,
SIR"
. l touched my horse testify with the
whip, the result being that found
myself in the ditch, my tie out Of gear,
my watch chain broken. For while
1 knew nothing. Then somebody
sweetly asked:
Are you feeling better. Gordon ?'
1t was the voice OF Helenette.
Better 2" What's the trouble 2"
Don't you remember being thrown
from your buggy week ago?"
"Oh, ye., I remember: but that was
only q few minutes SINCE"
"You have lain here nearly seven
days"
"Aud where am I, praym
"In your own house, In bed"
"In bed? What for? I'm going to
get up."
"Gordon, listen. You are not your
self. You received bad tontusion OF
the brain and have at times been viO-
lent. / had to have some one to take
care Of you"
I raised myself In bed beside me
sat the man had met ON the road.
"What! You here?" I exclaimed.
"Yes, begging your pardon, Mr..
Bolingbroke. III were not you might
now be dead man."
1t all began gradually to come back
to me. -.
II see you found my housekeeper,"
said significantly.
"Oh, yes"
"And have you proposed marriage to
herr"
mol couldn't do that"
"Why" ,
"She IL my sister, told you I had
a proposal to make. SO bad. But 1t
wasn't what you thought"
I stared first at Que and then nc the
other. Helenette was smiling, but
looked at ME earnestly.
What mystery is this" said.
"No mystery Mt all. My sister and i
left our poor home some five years
since to seek our fortunes, she going IN
one direction and I In another, the
agreement being that neither 0f us
should wed until success crowned our
efi1rts. Well, / am established In bus
iness, and came to ask her to help me
get NY house ready for my future
wife"
II am glad Miss Rathburne is your
sister"
"So am I. When you marry she
will come to live with me. That also
was in the agreement"
"Never! I've been fool. Helen
cite, will you have me? It's you I've
wanted all along, only didn't kno"
it,"
| Helenette made some demur, bul
finally promised to remain OH the farm
us its mistress. And If anyone wants
to see the happiest pair in the world
let him call at Gordon Bolingbroke's