The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-03-23
CHAPTER NXXVI.
AT THE RECEPTION.

was rs SuLu pluOuS as 4hiSS AsoSSie ""S
plain. On this afternoon, it was more
than sumptuous; it was a fairy-land OF
exotics and Towering shrubs. In q
room above, amid crowds Of richly
dressed women, stood Miss Rogers With
an undecided look on her downcast
face. She did not seem ready to ad-
vance and mingle with the crowd that
was descending 10 pay its respects 10
the hostess She falterel and an
swered absently those who felt tncy
had the liberty to address her, and
only moved on at last when the pres
sure of the crowd became unbearable.
Arriving in the hail, she hesitated
still. There were q few gentlemen
standing on the staircase and she
seemed to have a dread Of gentlemen,
and TO shrink whenever she saw the
head of one turn in her direction.
Withdrawing herself with some diff
Guilty from the throng by which she
was hemmed in. she slipped into a
little alcoVe containing small table
on which was pitcher of ice-water
and some glasses. AS she moved to
come out again she heard someone
remark that Degraw was to sail that
night for Rome, where he intended to
set up studio.
Everything was black before her for
q moment. He had no faith in her.
She looked down on her velvet gown
and hated it. All was forgotten, even
Hilary, but the fact that he was going
away and that the earth was empty
for her.
She worked her way to a certain lit
tie dressing room, where Hilary kept
her dresses. Choosing the one most
like the discarded one at home, she
put it on. Then she went out anG
turned her steps again toward the
crowd, moving toward the stairs. AS
she did so she felt her shoulder
touched. A hand reached through the
mass and thrust a roll of paper into
her hand. Frightened, she knew not
why, she unrolied the paper and read,
with staring eyes and hair rising on
her forehead, few mysterious words.
Merciful heaven! What did they mean?
Where did they come from? How did
they come here? Recoiling for Sec
ond time from the head Of the STAIR
case, she dashed toward that part of
the house into which messenger, such
as she imagined herself to have seen,
would be likely to disappear. She
sought, she inquired, and found, not
one Of her own maids, but the jolly
little French girl who had taken her
hairdresser's place that day.
"Did.y bring this?" she asked.
Yes, mademoiselle."
."And who made you-who gave
YOU this fsr ne-your employer
Madame -"
"Oui, madmofselle; who else? l as
sure you l carried it quite joyfully,
and only regret l had to interrupt
maGemoiselle's pleasure,
But ,mademoisellc had turned her
back.
"The Portugucsew she murmured,
"the Portuguese" And she grew quite
white and stole away into Etilary's
dressing room for a second time, and
mechanically took down q large silk
cloak that she wrapped about her, thus
hiding her gown, and making of her
appearance a mystery, which might
ard might not be penetrated by a
watchful lovers eye. Thus enshroud-
ed, she descended into the room Won
dering would he see what her non-com-
initial costume meant?
Miss Aspinwall, meantime, was
awaiting her friends tardy approach
with secret impatience. Contrary to
Mr.. Degraw's suggestions, she had
not been taken into Miss Rogers conf
dence, and knew nothing of the i'm
pot-tance Of the hour to the two hearts
dearest to her Yet she felt vaguely
uneasy, especially after she saw
Jenny's face, and could not prevent a
wondering glance as she noticed that
her friend was wrapped in one Of her
own cloaks.
II have had an accident-spilled lem
onade or something all over the front
of my DRESS" whispered Jenny, as she
observed this look, and her friends
wonder and astoniShment.
There was not time for more; dozen
ladies were behind her. Miss Rogers
passed on, but she felt her heart un-
accountably lightened. She always
did when she looked in Hilary's pure
face.
She then sought out place where
she would not be too visible, but where
she could herself see the persons about
her. So finding vacant spot near a
lofty palm, she turned her face slowly
toward the crowd and at last yentured
to lift her eyes. He was there. She
saw him but he was not looking hel
way. Nor did he look her way, though
her whole soul summoned him through
her eager glance.
While she was standing in her place
absorbed in her own reflections con-
cerning him, a hand was pushed
against her own and would not be
denied. 1t was very fine and courtly
gentlemans hand. She noted that be,
fore she had taken in his face. When
she did she turned scarlet. 1t was Mr.
Byrd who stood before her, and he
was looking at her with very searching
eyes.
81 sincerely beg your pardon" said
he. Il am not an invited guest in this
assem5lage. but l have q hit OF news
to impart to you, that will, l think
excuse my presence, both in your eyes
and in those of your amiab!e hostess
The woman who has dressed yOul