The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-12-02
CHAPTER XIX.

Anna Katharine dresn Author IF TIE ETC., s't''s'


q note lying beside his plate. 1t was
from Miss Aspinwall and was to the
effect that she had written to her
friend Mr.. Morris for precise de-
scription of the gentleman he had been
kind enough to introduce to her notice.
This was satisfactory, and prevented
the artist from sending a letter to Mr..
Byrd, as he had contemplated. For
though he had no doubt in his own
mind as to the identity of this stranger
he had no desire to put himself in a
false light in connection with one who
owned so sarcastic a tongue and held
at the moment such an impregnable
position. He determined, therefore, to
wait and take no measures Of his own
till after a reply had been received
from Cleveland. That is, unless he
saw signs of immediate peril menacing
his dear one, in which case he would
not write at all, but telegraph.
The sound of croQuet balls clicking
from Miss Aspinwall's grounds gave
him presently all the excuse he needed
for an early visit there. Crossing the
turf he soon found himself within view
of the bright and cheerful picture
which the introduction Of this game
has made so familiar to us. The white
dresses of the ladies, the Velvety YER
dure Of the lawn, the grace of the ever
varying movement, the eager enjoy
ment, all were there. But he saw
nothing but a solitary man and woman
halting under the shade of 4 neighbor-
ing tree; he, with manly interest per-
vading every feature of his strong face,
and she, with corresponding pleasure
frradiating every lineament and max
ing beautiful every attitude. His rival
from Cleveland had lost no time.
Angry beyond his power to conceal
Hamilton Degraw drew back. Not
for him was this place of mirth and
joy; not for him the petty civilities Of
the morning call and a tedious and
deceptive game. IF she could smile
like this after the appeal he had made
her the night before then she was not
the woman he deemed her; nor was
her regard what he hoped 1t to be.
She was false, and he would leave her
only he could not leave her. False Oh
true, she was the woman he loved,
and he could no more go away and
leave her under the seductive in1u-
ence of this incomprehersible stranger
than he would have surrendered pet
lamb to the paw Of wolf. He there
fore stopped at a certain seat in the
middle Of the lawn, and, not caring
whether he was seen or not sat down,
and taking a pencil and sketch book
from his pocket. began, to all appear
ance, t. draw the scene before him.
Suddenly a laughing voice was heard
eTer his shoulder.
"Oh, Mr.. Degraw! What disap-
pointment! expected to see picture
Of hill and valley, roof and spire, or at
least a group of girls circling round
one poor croQuet ball, and, behold!
only a milk white page meets my eye"
He turned. One of the lightest-heart-
ed and freshest-tongued Of the many
gay girls about him stood at his side.
"Good morning." said he. "You want
to see picture? Well, wait moment
and will show you one.''
And without .analyzing his motive
or counting the cost of his impulse he
forced his pencil to travel over the
paper, leaving thereupon the lines of a
countenance that was at the same time
both forcible and proud. When he had
finished it he showed it to her.
who is it?' he asked
why, your namesake from Cleve-
iand,' she replied, with mischievous
tilt of her head. ''It is very good, only
you have not flattered him.
II leave that for the ladies to do," he
gravely retorted, and with a smile she
could not fathom closed his book, put
1t in his pocket and offered her his
arm. "Yot may wish to possess this
some day." he laughed, tapping sig
nifcantly the place where he had put
the sketch, but remember that you
will have no claim upon it if by word
or gesture you reveal the secret Of its
naking", r...
"Do you mean the picture or your
hearth" she asked, "for your hand is
pressed over BOTH"
He gazed into her merry eyes. caught
the momentary contagion of her glee
and smiled.
"That is for you to decide" he re-
Joined. IF it is a riddle / think your
perSpicacity may be relied upon to
solve it, ...
And thus. with a cleared brow. hu:
with a wildly beating and rebellious
heart he drew near to the players.
He was welcomed by one joyous ac-
claim, hut he noticed, with sense OF
humiliation, hard to endure. that
dozen curious glances passed imme-
diately from bis face to that Of his now
publicly recognized rival. He re-
strained himself. however. and sing
ling out Miss Aspinwall paid her such
attention as his distraction would al
low. The result was perplexity 10
many minds. For DO sooner did the
signorina behold herself forsaken hy
one who upon tie evening before had
taken an indisputahle place at her
side than she showed a vague urcas!-
ness which soon made itself noticeable
to every eve. Bnt rs the morning pre-
greSsed and she found herself as much
ignored by her late lover as politcurSs
would allow. she gained more mastery
over herself and ended hy playing tile
role of general coquette Meantime
the stranger had been pressed into the
game, possibly by the secret allies OF