The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-07-23

minutes to spare. and during that time
he will despatch at least that number
Of kilograms. have never known him
to content himself so long without
business as during his stay at your
house"
The luggage had been labeled and
put into the brake, my aunt and
were comfortably ensconced In oppo-
site corners Of the frst-class compart'
ment which had been specially re-
served for US, and the train began 10
move out Of the station before uncle
Sam emerged from the telegraph
office. But he was equal to the occa-
sion. Jumping lightly into the car.
riage he shut the door with q slam.
and seated himself rs far from US as
possible. Begging his wife to enter.
tain me as well as she could. he pro-
duced q large pocketbook and pencil.
and ut once BECAME engrossed In some
study. noI did he again open lis lips
until we reached London.
The changeful weather-exhilarating
sunshine alternating with gloomy
clouds from which descended heavy
showers Of rain greatly interested
my aunt. who for my edification com.
pared the climates Of England and
North America as our train sped
through the low.lying Essex meadows.
Like most Americans who visit Eng.
land she was uncomfortably affected
by the chilly dampness Of our climate.
and visibly shivered. though she was
enveloped In thick wool rug. Though
our acquaintance had been so brief. I
had developed very real regard for
my youthful American aunt. whose
kindly consideration and uniform gen.
tleness excited my admiration. As I
scrutinized her delicate features /
noted their wistful expression. and
experienced a feeling akin to pity for
her-for I ins.inctively felt there could
exist no bond Of sympathy between
this gentle lady and her husband.
No other part Of England Is so de-
pressing as the horrid region between
Romford and Liverpool street through
which the Great Eastern Railway
Company conveys Its London-bound
victims. Between those places the
senses Of sight, hearing and smell are
grossly outraged. and when the un-
fortunate traveller finds himself once
more on terra Hrma he staggers like
one awakened from q nightmare. his
limbs stiffened By the close packing to
which they have been subjected. and
his mind and stomach disgusted by
the denominations he has seen and
shifted.
1t was With great relief we alighted
from the train. a splendid carriage
awaited us, into which We at once en-
tered. our luggage being piled upon
cab which was to follow. Dark clouds
had gathered In all around. and the
rain descended in torrents as we drove
westward ou: Of the city. At few
minutes past 5 p. m-nearly four hours
after we left Holdenhurst Hall-our
carriage turned out Of the main road
into De We're Gardens, Kensington.
and drew up In front Of my uncle's
house there.
1t was q large house. furnished as
luxuriously as possible. illuminated
throughout by electricity, though here
and there was an oil lamp which shed
a subdued light on the objects around.
Everything in the place seemed abso-
lutcly new-as have no doubt II was
and the best Of its kind obtainable.
the evidences Of wealth ON every hand
contrasting strongly with my COM
Portable but unpreteutious home In
Suffolk.
The footmnn had just closed the
door after admitting rs. and l was de-
voutly hoping that I might neither see
nor be seen by my aunts sister before
l had had IN opportunity Of making
myself tolerably presentahle-which
could certainly not be the case with
any one Immediately after q seventy
Eve mile journey on the Great East
ern Railway-when, the young l1dy OF
whom / was thinking tripped lightly
down the stairs, and throwing her
arms around my aunt. embraced her
in q manner which drove me wild
with envy. The next minute. how.
ever. Miss Marsh was herself seized
by uncle Sam. who held her gently but
with an iron grip while he gave her
more kisses than ! had presence OF
mind to count. When at length be de.
sisted. he pointed at me. saying.
There. Connie. my pet; have
brought you home the husband I prom.
ised you. What do you think Of him?
Looks innocent. don't he, Cons" Then.
turning to his wife. Suffolk boys
make Che best husbands In the world.
eh. Gertrpde:"
TO be continued.
How the Razor Should DO "Strolsed."
A Berlin cutler has Just put four.