The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-10

"And they live-or lived-somewhere
in the neighborhood Of the Blackfriars
road"
Dear me! Quite the proper place" "
assented Mrs. Ellsworth.
Il think l owe a debt Of gratitude tc
the Cockney party" said Sir Edgar.
Had they not run us down I should
certainly have made an utter ass OF
myself"
Eyes, it's wonderful how things work
out sometimes. You were right not to
continue your proposal. I should take
an incident like that as solemn warn.
ing. Providence certainly sent that
accident to prevent your folly, and you
were wise to profit by it. The ways OF
Providence are indeed marvellous
Then I am exceedingly obliged to
Providence" replied Sir Edgar. Then
he dipped his oars into the water and
began to row slowly homeward. Mrs.
Ellsworth settled herself more costly
among the cushions, and sighed softly.
1t was a very effective sigh, and had
taken lot of practice.
What a pity it is" she murmured,
"tbat life is not all summer, and that
all evenings are not like this. It's ab'
solutely cruel to think that we shall
both be returning to London in few
days"
Sir Edgar nodded and continued
rowing. Then he stopped suddenly.
Mrs. Ellsworth" lie said gently, L
have something to say to you. 1 won'
der if you can guess what it is"
She dropped her eyes aad murmured
something unintelligible. Mentally
she was composing the announcement
for the Morning Post"
"Madge," and he leaned forward and
touched her hand, 'it is twenty-five
years since 1 proposed to a woman. 1
have lust told you how it happened.
Tonight history repeats itself"
He rose as he spoke and attempted to
cross the boat to her side, but as he
did so he slipped, clutched at the seat
to save himself. missed it, and fell
backwards into the water. Mrs. Els
worth screamed and jumped to the
side Of the boat just as Sir Edgar was
endeavoring to climb into it. Their
combined weight, however, capslzed
the frail craft, and a minute later they
were both struggling in the river.
Fortunately they were quite close TO
the bank, and had no difficulty IN
reaching place of safety. they ran
straight back to the house, entering II
by a side door, so as to avoid the rest
of the party; and except for their dam
aged clothes they were none the worse
for their wetting.
Sir Edgar, when he had changed his
things, gave his friends an account OF
the accident, and in the smoking-room
unused on the strange coincidence IN
the turn Of events.
Mrs, Ellsworth, on her part, before
her bedroom fire bewailed the unlucky
accident, and wondered what Sir Ed
gar would have to say the next day. D
Her doubts were, however, soon put
at rest the following morning by Lady
Popham, who entered her room as she
was breakfasting in bed. !
isn't this provoking?" she ex'
claimed. as she waved q letter IN her
hand. "Sir Edgar writes that he has
had an urgent message, and has been
obliged to leave for London by an
early train this morning. He left this
note for me to explain matters. Now
we shall be a man short. Isn't 1t q
nuisance? By the way" she contin'
ued. che sent message to you. he
hopes YOU are none the worse for last
nights accident, and wishes to apollo
eize for his carelessness. He is sorry
he is unable to see you to say good
bye" o..
Then. without noticing her friencs
expression, she went on:
"He told some one this morning that
Providence always arranged these
things for the best. What on earQ
could he mean?"
81 am sure l don't know" said Mrs.
Ellsworth, GROSSLY. But she fancied
she did know, all the same.-Nornlan
H. Oliver, in The Free Lance.