The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-03-02

4 y mitted to herself, "the cap
S " q tain is very handsome, and
x Il he is doubtless very brave,
EC~ and-he wishes me to be
bis wife. He is man Of good charac-
ter, and his family is one Of the most
distinguished in the country. He is
rich, and he can listen as we'll as. talk.
And when he talks he says more than
BERTHE says, butt rather like BERTHE.
I a m more comfortable in Bertie's
company. Poor BERTHE! He isn't as
handsome as the captain, and his brav-
cry"
!She laughed softly behind her fan.
|: }"BGtie also wishes me to be his wife.
Both he and the captain have assured
he that my refusal viii make them
desperately miserable; but don't be-
heve the captain would suffer as Bert
lie would. Bertie is such violet! And
the captain is gladiolus. BERTHE
hasn't much social standing. His
father keeps shop as mine does. Oh,
dear! Whatever's poor girl to do?"
A lady came and sat beside her, max
Ing remark relative to the din Of the
company.
Miss Melville again raised her fan TO
her face.
"What glorious weather it is, isn't
ltT' she said, non-committally.
She did not catch the others reply,
for at that instant the tall form of
Captain Gorton swung into view. cross
ing the lawn laden with paraphernalia
! for the afternoons entertainment.
He nodded at her and she inclined
her head slightly.
1.-THE captains presence gives our
little celebration quite military air."
the other was talking.
Il understand that he has made
something Of sacrifice to be with us.
He might have been showing himself
to admiring thousands in the city, and
he's very fond of showing himself, is
the captain. Since that little affair at
somewhere or other in India, which
was all in the papers at the time, you
remember. when he led 4 charge or
was danger, he's been in great demand.
i He's a popular hero. And he looks in
uniform quite the brave man he's re-
puted to be, which isn't customary
with heroes, you know. Heroes are
usually disappointing as spectacles."
"Yes," Miss Melville concurred, but
che was only half listening.
She was again comparing the cap
tain with Bertie, and BERTHE with the
captain, and apologizing for Bertie's
shortcomings. She seriously believed
that a struggle was taking place in
her mind.
! The other looked at her quizzically
Lovely idea of Mr.. Warehams
wasn't it?" she went on, after a brief
interval. ''These beautiful grounds,
easy chairs, perfectly delicious refresh
ments, and really no more noise than
: one might expect, I suppose. Every
one should suffer a little in the cause
of country for the sake of ones pa
riotic soul.'
You are perfectly correct"
ward where fluffy white clouds were
Hoating lazily, like pieces of snow upon
calm blue sea. She was unaware of
the captains approach, immaculate in
his white suit. She was visibly start
led when he spoke to her
= Some Of the boys have arranged for
q sham. battle on the lake." he said.
".Would you care to see it?''
She arose promptly.
Wont you come. too?" she said,
sweetly, to her voluble neighbor, thus
causing the semblance of a pucker to
appear above the captains nose.
'There will be no danger, will there,
captain"'
"Not the slightest" His smile was
good-humored, closely approaching pat.
ronage. There will be nothing but
action and noise-mere boys play, you
know"
Miss Melville opened her sunshade
herself, ignoring his movement to that
end. Some quality in his tone-a quail
ity smacking Of insult to boys-and
Bertie-annoyed her. But he was
handsome and brave, this captain
while BERTHE wasn't, and he was rich
and of aristocratic lineage, while Bert
les father kept common shop. She
drew closely to the captains side, and
he leaned toward her, unheeding OF
their companion. So they came to the
lake shore, where preparations for the
battle were in progress.
% BERTHE saw them and waved his hand
: from out the midst of snarl of ex
cited children in which he appeared tt
be hopelessly entangled. His hair was
rufied. His face was streaked with
perspiration and CRIME. His sleeves
were rolled to the elbows. His white
: duck trousers were spotted in numer
( GUS places where they had thought
lessly been brought in contact with the
grass. He grinned.
"We're making things sing he an
nounced, somewhat unnecessarily
= when they had come nearer. "Eh
kidsT