The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-06-22

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| cleaned the house after a s,yie that
made Aunt P~icklebury open her eyes
in admiration; she repapered the best
DOM. and was discovered b. Harry
Hayden on the top Of a step ladder,
with her chestnut braiIS tied up In
a towel, whitewashing.
Isn't she charming. Harry! Aunt
Picklebury demanded confldentla!ly.
"De!lcious." the young lawyer an
swered with '.mphaSis.
And so he came autumn evenings,
while Aunt Melissa hustled away in
the corner and took shre'vd and not
unsatisfactory note OF things in gen
eral.
Tell ne about your sister he said
one evening.
(Which sister," said Clara. who was
skillfuliy putting together a marvel
Gus mathematical silk quilt of her
aunt's.
"The authoress"
ooh" said Clara. "Weli, she is a
good deal like me-"
"As young"
ooh, yes"
Gas pretty?"
"Now. that's nonsense" SAD Clara,
seriously. "Of course. both my sisters
are a great deal better looking than
am"
Il have read her writings. some of
them" said Harry, land if l wasn't
afraid she was specialized and inky [
should almost be tempted to fall in
love with her. Would she love me.
do you Think"
Clara colorcd and bent closer over
her work.
IL don't know whether she would
or not" said she.
"Well. I shall not try" said Hayden,
laughing. ITO tell you the truth, Clara.
I have always had a holy horror OF
authoresses."
"Very complimentary to my sister,
said Clara, pouting a little.
And of course Harry had to pacify
her and Just then Bridget called Miss
P~ick!ebury into the kitchen, and when
she came back the young people had
great news to tell her. They We're ell
gagged!
All" said Miss Picklebury. rubbing
her nose with her knitting needle, I'm
glad to hear it. l knew my sensible
niece would be appreciated here in
the West"
Mrs. Squire Seaberry came to the
office of Hoyt & Hayden the next
morning.
"Oh. Mr.. Hayden" said she, "such
a star as I hope to secure for my re-
ception tonight. a real. live author
es,. And to think that she has been
living incognito among us for so long,
Whom are you abiding to?' asked
the puzzled lawyer.
Miss Courtenay, Of course. Annie
Courtenay, the authoress."
"Oh, you are mistaken" said our he
70. This young lady is Clara Cour-
tenay."
annie Clara Couttenay," distinctly
enunciated Mrs. Seaberry, wisely nod
ding her head. Don't you see? An
ME C. Courtenay-that's her invariable
SIGNATURE
Harry Hayden went to the Pickle
berry mansion as soon as he could
decently get rid of Mrs. Squire Sea-
berry.
Clara" said be, "what is your first
name?"
Miss Courtenay colorcd scarlet.
"Annie," she answered. "Why?"
Because" said he, dryly. Il have
Just discovered that Miss PickleIury's
sensible niece is also her literary
niece"
Clara hung down her head.
Harry. are you very angry with
me?'
"Not a bit. Didn't I tell you I was
almost tempted to fall in love with
Annie Courtenay?
"You see," pleaded Clara. "Susie has
just commenced a course Of German,
and Marian couldn't leave her school,
and-there seemed no one but me to
come. And I thought aunt would for
give me even if I did write stories for
the papers,"
"Ill answer for her pardon" said
Harry Hayden. laughing.
Miss Pickletury was a little aston
ishad at first, but with Clara's arms
around her neck, she could only for
give the sly little diplomatist.
"Who would have suspected you Of
being literary said she.-Stirling OBJ