The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-08-06
CHAPTER TX.


1xcALLID TO SUFFOLK.
A. soon IN breakfast was over un-
Gle Sam left his house to 60 to Capel
Court aunt Gertrude retired to her
room to attend to her correspondence.
and Miss Marsh and I were left alone.
Where shall We 80 this morning.
ErnestY' asked Miss Marsh; II am
tired Of the )ark. and We have driven
all over Kensington more than once
Miss Marsh had lately learned to
address me as Ernest, which had
greatly delighted me. and determined
me henceforth to call her Constance.
whichever way you please, but II
It is agreeable to You we win 60 to
Richmond. We have plenty Of time"
said. consulting my watch, 1T Is
barely 10 o'clock. and we do not lunch
tin 2 was never there. but have
often heard that Richmond is the most
beautiful suburb Of London"
by all means" replied Miss Marsh;
sI win order the carriage and set
ready at once" And she rose instant.
ly and tripped lightly from the room.
American ladies' prepare their toi-
lettes with . despatch quite unknown
b their English sisters. though Ger
sainly with no less care and elabora-
don, and / had only written q telegram
10 my father, acknowledging the re-
ceipt Of his letter and promising to re-
MY to It that evening. when Miss
Marsh again entered the room fully
equipped for q drive. no button Of her
glove being left for me TO fasten.
] looked up at her with some sur
prise. "You are soon returned" OBJ
served.
.aToo soon~ she asked. fixing upon
me her steadfast eyes.
mo, how could that be?" said. and
I drew her arm through mine and led
her downstairs.
Good morning. Mr.. Ernest" ex-
claimed q voice belonging to tall
form which stood In the shadow Of
the hall door; II am fortunate in not
having lust missed you" and turning
round I beheld the Rev. DR.. Evan
Price.
Pray, don't let my unexpected pres
euce startle you" continued the Vicar
Of Holdenhurst Minor; II bring NO III
news. Being summoned to London on
business which may end In my ap-
pointment TO the curacy Of All Souls.
North Brixton. your father has asked
me to call here to say that he would
like you to return home at once for
day or 90. He would like you to catch
the train which leaves st. Pancras at
Has. and travel via Cambridge"
This information annoyed me great.
~. could not find IL in my heart to
keep away from my father when he
desired my presence. though to forego
my visit to Richmond with Miss
Marsh was q bitter disappointment to
me. For q moment I stood In doubt
how to act.
"of course you viii 60" remarked
Miss Marsh.
II fear I must" replied, In voice
>but I win return tomorrow or next
day at latest. am sorry to leave yor
tn this abrupt manner. and am sure
my father would be the last to desire
such q thing without very good reason
for Il"
We adjourned to the drawing-room,
whittier Miss Marsh invited Mr. Price
to accompany Us, an invitation which
he accepted with great promptitude
and courtliness. He was q man Of
ene presence and considerable tact.
gifted with the power Of talking inter
minably but Interestingly about every
thing In general and nothing In partic-
ular. Indeed. nothing was more ad-
mired by the feminine world Of the
two Holdenhursts than the genial af-
liability Of the Rev. Evan Price. This
handsome and gallant cleric had not
been in the house ten minutes before !
learned that he was to have an inter.
view with the Bishop Of London at
Fulham at 3 o'clock. until which hour
he was at leisure (which being inter.
preted signified that he intended to
stay until them; that after the said
interview he would return to pay his
respects to Mr.. Samuel Truman-in
other words that he would come back
20 dinner. When ! Quilted the draw.
tng-room, leaving Mr.. Price and Miss
Marsh together. I was more depressed
than ] had eve: been before. and half
regretted that ! had not decid~d to re-
main. ! felt like runner who, hav.
Ing kept ahead Of his competitors In
q long race. faints when near the goal
and sees the prize he regarded as his
own seized by other hands. ] am al.
most ashamed to record how the tears
started to my eyes, but l forced them
back, summoned all the courage OF
my nature-not at that time very much
and after q severe mental struggle
fell into a strange mood compounded
Of pride and ferceness.
IT was with some difficulty that
contrived to speak to Miss Marsh alone
Before left. but succeeded in doing
20. and again assured her of my reSre
at the unexpected interruption OF oul
arrangements. and laid special EN-
phasis on the great pleasure II would
give me to return TO KensinSton at til,
earliest possible moment. at the same
tine desiring her to inform my uncle
and aunt of the hasty summons hat
received from my father.
Miss Marsh was as gracious to MI
az the most exacting lover could ex