The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-12-09
CHAPTER XIX.
Continued.

This determined him. Pocketlng his
pride, for it still rebelled, he hired a
horse, and providing himself with full
.sketching materials rode at once to the
place designated. 1t was wild spot
full of ravines and tangled under
growth, but beautiful from the stretch
of smiling valley and encircling hills
which lay in broad expanse before it..
Settling himself upon the highest point
he unpacked his easel, took out his
sketching frame and began to work.
Presently he heard the noise of ap-
preaching wheels, then the sound OF
voices mingled with laughter, and be-
fore he could subdue the restless throb-
bings Of his heart perceived emerging
from the trees below him a carriage,
on the front seat of which, side by side
with the man lie detested sat the ex-
quisite form of the signorina, clad in a
costume so simple and yet so coquet-
tish that his heart sank even before he
saw her face.
But when they came nearer and he
could discern the pure joy which illu-
mined her feature he felt that there
was no more hope for him, and rising
up he stepped forward and stood, a
tall and forbidding figure, on the edge
of the road. up which the carriage was
slowly toiling.
Instantly silence settled on the mer-
rymakers beneath. In stiffness that
was almost oppressive they advanced
and stopped almost within reach of his
arm, whereupon, without any word of
greeting or any other further show Of
courtesy than a profound bow he
turned, gathered up his easel and va
rious traps and descending the side
. hill took up his position near a great
boulder, where he Immediately recon-
menced his work.
It was q direct cut, made with the
fudeness which exists in all great pas
sions. But there was something be-
sides the mere expression Of anger in
his action. He had feared to risk an
encounter in which his own emotions
might master him. Better lose his title
of gentleman than break forth in those
execrations which were trembling on
his tongue. Silence and solitude might
restore his equanimity. He would at
least give them the opportunity of
doing so, and if by this self-restraint
he drove the signorina to regret the in
creasing provocation Of her manner he
would have earned a reward equal to
his sacrifice.
A second carriage stopping behind
the first soon added its freight of
laughing girls to the party already
scattered over the hill top. Then came
o third conveyance, and finally q
fourth, which latter held the servants
and such means for the general COM
fort and good cheer as spoke highly Of
the provident care Of their generous
hostess.
The artist saw all, but did not cease
making marks upon his paper. He
was schooling himself and learning a
lesson in patience which might some
day stand him in good stead.
It would be tedious for me to relate
all the occurrences Of the day. Mr..
Degraw was not left long alone on the
hillside, but the one person for whose
coming he eagerly waited did not show
herself at his side. When the meal
was ready he was summoned by Miss
- 'Aspinwall to take seat at the i'm
provised table, but he refused in as
courteous tones as possible, and went
on with the picture he was now me-
chemically finishing. When it was
done he rose, and seeing his friends
still at luncheon strolled down the hill.
The consequence was that he soon
found himself at the the mouth Of one
. of the ravines with which the place
abounded. Not in the mood for seem
cry, but caring much for solitude he
was on the point Of entering the place
when suddenly he perceived before
him the figures of two persons, one Of
which was so we'll known to his eye
and so dear to his heart that it was
with difficulty he suppressed an ejacu-
latiop Of astonishment.
It was the signorina, and with her
was man whose face and form were
vaguely familiar to him, and vet not
sufficiently so for him to recall his
name or to remember where he had
seen him.
A little child fiuttered gleefully be-
tween them, lending an air of inno-
cence to the scene, and yet the artist
felt strangely put out by what he saw,
and could not refrain from giving an
other sharp look at the person whom
the signorina thus honored by her
companionship. and was further star
tied by discovering that he was not a
gentleman.
What did It mean? The two were
conversing intently, too intently for
him to doubt that the meeting was in
territorial. and yet what stranger could
she know in this place, and what busi-
ness could so dainty lady have with q
man Of this stamp? AS he was ask
ing himself these more than puzzling
questions the two said some hurried
words Of farewell and quickly parted,
the man slipping from sight amid the
bushes. and the signorina passing on
ward down the ravine with the little
child at her side.
. He longed to follow, but felt that it
would he imprudent to do so. Yet it
was impossible to remain quiesccnt
while the question as to this mans
identity remained unsettled. But how
settle it? He saw no better way than