The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-07-08
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onu yet MS tranquility was after all
only an appearance. And appearances,
as We know, are often deceitful.
Castleton was in love with Miss Pink
erly, and by some strange fatality he
had set this particular day and hour to
declare his passion. AS he walked
along swiftly the light of suppressed
emotion beginning to show in his eyes,
ne endeavored to turn over in his mind
the exact language that would be most
fitting for the occasion.
1t seemed so easy now. Eut would
1t be. face to face with the object of
his alteration? That was the burning
question.
Miss Pinkerly, on her part. was not
nearly so tranquil as her lover. She
knew he was coming, and possibly she
suspected what his errand might be.
Young women have way of intuitive-
ly divining the precise psychological
moment when the fate of another lies
In their answer.
Miss Pinkerly's perturbation, how
ever, was not due to this fact alone.
This interesting and beautiful young
woman lived with her married sister,
who short time after Castleton had
telephoned Of his approach had been
called down town suddenly to her hus-
bands Office on some family business
that required her signature. 1t hap
pened on this particular afternoon that
Aho hoh hx-', foly i'll
There was nothing to do, therefore,
but to place Miss Plnkerly in charge Of
thesinfant In the emergency. And as
she had, while that phenomenon was
held by the cook, only succeeded in dis
covering that Castleton had left his
Office for parts unknown, there was
nothing for her to do but to wait his
coming with the resignation of despair
As Castleton came up the front steps
and rang the bell he heard an ominous
wall.
"Ah." he said to himself, "there's
that baby. I hope they won't bring
him down again to look at. Some peo-
pie don't know enough to keep their
children out of the way"
The maid showed him into the draw
ing-room.
The wall came nearer and nearer.
Castleton's heart sank.
The curtains parted, and Miss Pink
erly, holding in her arms twenty
pounds Of chubby humanity. entered
an apologetic smile upon her face.
you'd better not stay" she said. 81
tried to reach you over the phone. but
you had gone. My sister is away, and
the nurse is i'll, and I've just got to
watch this youngster. Now you men
hate that sort Of thing, and you'd bet
ter run along. He's a dear little fel-
low. isn't he?"
The baby shrank back as Castletor
approached, and this time gave gen.
uine. old-fashioned yell. When he
could be heard, Castleton remarked
cavalierly:
"Not at ALL don't mind if you don't.
Besides, I have something important
to say to you
Miss Pinkerly hesitated. After all,
what did it matter? They knew each
other pretty well by this time.
every WELL" she said, 'but we would
better 60 up into the nursery, If you
don't mind. His toys are up there"
So up stairs they went.
Castleton sat down on the side Of a
rocking horse.
After all, he thought to himself, why
wasn't this the best time and place?
Dorothy" he began, 81 have some
thing to tell you. You know /"
It was evident that the baby resented
this intrusion. He ned seen Castleton
attempt to take his aunt's hand, and
his chtvalry asserting itself even in one
80 young he let out at the top of his
voice. Miss Pinkerly took him in her
arms and soothed him.
Naughty, bad man, go away" she
exclaimed. "There, there, don't cry. /
won't let him some near me again"
The baby quieted down, and Castle
ton, who had begun to walk the floor.
turned to his task once again.
Darling" he began.
Miss Pinkerly glanced at the clock.
ats almost time for his milk" she
observed. "You know I will have to
heat his bottle. Would you, could you
hold him just few moments?'
Surely" said Castleton. Here, old
man.
After some coaxing, the baby. al
smiles, permitted himself to be placed
on the knee Of the stranger. Castletor
gave him his watch to play with, ther
his keys. Then he realized the baby
was slipping off slowly but surely. Tt
prevent this disaster he grasped thu
youngster with a regular golf grip. I'm
mediately there was a succession o
shrieks. Miss Pinkerly sprang into th'
room from the gas stove with a cry O
alarm.
"What have you been doing to him?'
she said almost savagely.
Nothing" said Castleton. u mere
II held him together. Here, you TAX
him and I'll heat that bottle"
He went solemnly out into the hall
where the bottle was reposing in
saucepan full Of hot water.
'Roll it around" said Miss Pinkerly
''Now take it off and put it on m,
cheek I'll tell you whether it is no
enough"
Castleton took the bottle in his hand
and approaching the one he loved bes
in all the world, solemnly proceeded t
Yyl.
naturally supposing the time for actor