The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-03-31
Modern
Pandora
By Lue2len Tefers
Copyright, 1905, by T. c. Mcclure

Janet Allston quickly seized her suit
dered into the station at the little re-
sort, eager to make her escape before
Darlington, who sat in the back Of the
car, should espy her. In his party
she recognized supercilious beauty
whose name had lately been signii-
cantly linked with his, and several
comfortable looking dowagers who had
come down, as she, to either stay with
friends or at the big hotel over the
regular Saturday night hop.
She felt ashamed Of her 1nnumerable
bundles, each breathing its own secret
of chocolates, early hothouse peaches
for dear Aunt Caroline, and some mag
azines.
Cousin Toms happy, ruddy face was
not visible among the crowd Of people
on the platform. She glanced around
in desperation, anxious to secure the
services Of a hackman to carry her at
once to her destination, but beyond a
| few private vehicles there was nothing
available.
Over her shoulder sounded Caring
tons deep voice and Lillian Rogers sill
very, airy laughter. She started nerv-
ously, dropping the telltale parcel Of
peaches, which scattered compromis-
ingly in all directions through the
throng.
"Let me help your Darlington jump
ed with alacrity to her aid, restoring
the downy, pink checked fruit to her
arms.
An icy '"Thank you" rewarded him.
Womanlike, angry at the innocent Of
fender, she felt like venting her dis
pleasure on him.
81 suppose your cousin meets you?'
he inquired, pausing for a second as
the ladies accompanying him moved
on.
"Oh. yes" she replied lightly, hoping
that he would not detect the delin-
quent's absence.
She squared her back on the group as
the Darlington trap, in the hands of 6
trim groom, rolled noiselessly up, and
the ladies were helped in There was a
whir of rushing wheels, and cloud Of
dust indicated its fight down the coun-
try road. Tears Of modification and
anger welled up in her eyes. Were 1t
| not so far she would walk the distance,
bundles, suit case and all. A black
speck was coming rapidly toward her
far up the highway. It finally revealed
red and black wheels. A sensation Of
mingled annoyance, pride and tnidiy
swept over her as she saw that, after
all it was not her cousin, but Caring
ton, who had evidently lost no time In
returning from his stables.
81 suppose your relatives didn't ex-
pect you until the $780," he said pleas
antly as he drove up. II was afraid
you would attempt to walk the dis
tance. Won't you let me drive you
over?'
"Thank you'll will wait for Tom"
she said, blushing at the falsity Of her
position.
II came back purposely to get you"
he went on, ignoring her d1scourag1ng
glance. "Its hard on the peaches.
They'll be overripe If you keep them IN
this hot sun much longer. Come,
please"
She hesitated visibly. "For the sake
Of the peaches, then" she assented'
reaching him her parcels.
81 will not question the conditions" !"
be replied.
1T would be of no use," she answer
ed in his vein, "for never argue"
They drove smoothly over the white,
threadlike road, under the canopy OF
trees, talking indifferently on superb
cial subjects, the man not insensiDle to
the charm of her laughing eyes and nut
brown face, the girl responsive to every
fash of his blue eyes and inwardly de-
lighting in his slightest mannerism.
Between them lay the unconfessed JOY
of a past summer time, when he had
been her constant attendant at this
same place, until golden haired Lillian
Rover arrived one day as a guest OF
his mother. Involuntarily she sighed
and the man, finding its echo In dis
own heart repeated It.
"You will be at the hop tonight?' ne
asked as he deposited her at her dest-
| nation.
my frock Is here" She pointed to
her suit case.
"Your cousin said Egerton was COM
| ing down too" he watched her lace
narrowly as he spoke.
"A later train," she said evenly. Il
decided to come on the 8 o'clock spe-
cial."
BE could make nothing Of her e1-
planation, however, as he thought her
words over after leaving her. Surely,
If report were true that the two were
in love and to be married, It looked
odd that they did not plan to arrive
on the same train. His mind reVolVed
on Janet's speech in spite Of his at
tempts to dismiss it.
Janet promptly thought no more
about him, unable long ago to- find an
excuse for his changed behavior. Open
ing her suit case, she began to draw