The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-09-30
|MAB'8 Eyes.
BY FREDERIC HOWE MARION.
.@us& a |.
ABS eyes did il all.

III lue NOliu, AVA SNSlS pouy uaS u lOSS
garden. Moreover, wild roses bloom all
along the roadside, and some species
of rose-creeper climbs the rough bark
of the outstanding trees, and hangs
clusters of odorous blossoms from the
swaying boughs. The houses are all
respectable country seats, the people
all comfortable. ! don't believe there
is beggar or a cripple in the town.
And into this modern Eden, a mile
from the railroad station, walked one
day.
1t was June, end all the air was
fragrant The bluebirds were fitting
about, and the robins were singing on
the stone walls. Some late apple trees
were in blossom, and everybody's doors
and windows were open to let in the
scents, and sounds, and sights Of early
summer.
Suddenly carriage, driven by boy,
came around the corner Of road. At
the same moment little Blenheim
poodle. white as wool. rushed from q
dooryard, and dashed under it's wheels.
/ heard a sharp scream. saw distract
ed blue cambria wrapper rushing after.
and threw myself, all on the impulse
Of the instant, into the melee. To seize
the bits and raise the shivering and
whining animal from the dust was but
the work of a moment. AS l bore it
toward the house, Nab, in Mab's blue
cambria wrapper, with Mab's eyes, met
me.
"Oh, thank you! thank you thou
sand times. Oh, sir, do you think he is
killed"
AS the dog, at that moment, gave q
sharp yelp. ventured to proclaim
that be probably was not killed.
My darling! My dear, dear little
Snoww she murmured, taking the
dusky and dismal little wretch into
the lovely shelter of her bosom. AS
she was turning away l experienced
q sudden and brilliant thought.
Does not Miss Flint live here?"
"Yes. sir" replied Nab. pausing with
her closely -clasped burden.
Il was about to call on Miss Flint"
I said. most falsely.
Then Nab looked at me again, and
! am free to confess that never before
or since saw l such lovely eyes.
Walk in. if you please" she said,
"and 1 will speak to aunty."
congratulated myself on having dis
! covered so much-that she was Miss
Flints niece. But I was quite desper-
ate for an errand. Miss Flint ap-
peared. ass+'
Miss Flint" said I, rising and bow
ing. Il have lately heard that your
Erother-in-law, Judge living. of Maple
ton, is very i'll. AS l was in your vicin-
ity. thought would call and tell
you. thinking, perhaps, that you had
not heard of it,"
"A relapse:" she inquired. anxiousiy.
"No-no-not that l am aware Of"
"My brother was very i'll some six
weeks ago, but I heard yesterday that
, he was convaleScent.'
"Ah, well, hearing the report so late
j ly, ] supposed his illness of recent
date" replied. Miss Flint will give
me credit for good Intentions"
Certainly. You look warm, sir.
; Will you not take some refreshment?"
| Miss Flint offered me some lemonade
{ / partook freely. / fingered half an
! hour, talking Of everything under the
sun. but was at length forced to depart
without seeing Nab again.
My home was at Irving, the town ad
joining Roseville. l returned there
that night, but could not forget those
eyes. Henceforth haunted every
public gathering. every party and pic
mic of tire neighborhood. but failed ut
terry to see or hear Of Nab. For
learned her name. Nab Merle, from
Miss Flint, who had casually mentioned
her.
AS time passed my hopes were sub
iected to repeated disappointment.
dreamed of Mab's eyes, and cared fol
nobody else's eyes. My sisters said
sulkel, and the younger female portion
Of our community pronounced me &
bear.
The summer passed and fall came
! had plenty to 90, for had farm OF
my own, and autumn is busy season
with farmers.
A livery stable keeper in the city haC
purchased some hay Of me. My maj
Sam was sick. and not being too prout
to take load of hay 10 town myself
! started.
1t was days trip. The sun began
to set as was on my way home. Tlt
birds hushed their twitterings in th'
trees, and the air blew cool and ladeI
with dew. Gradually the beams of tEt
moon gave 4 soft light to the scene
and the horses settled into quic
walk.
AS we were thus lc:sarely proceed
ing. a horse and light buggy wbirlet
out Of q crossroad. and suddenly tn
two teams col!iGcd. ! felt Jerk anI
crash. l heard { scream. My horse
stopped. jumped to the ground am
enabled the driver of the buggy to stol
her startled horse, for the driver wa
a young lady.
"Oh. Sir" she cried teacfully, "wha
have | doncT'
helped her to the ground, unlocke'
her wheel from mine. and saw that til
tire and three Of the fellOes OF ne
wheel were broken.
How did it happen" asked /.
Il didn't see you," said she.
Didn't see a haycack and tw
horses?" exclaimed I.