The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-11-29

m Sne IelI SliHS0, Sic tuiASN
hot and cold by turns; and it was an
actual relief when, at length, her
guardians noiselesS step slided into the
room, and she knew that her time had
come; the rack was to be felt-its tor
lure imagined mo more.
Mr.. Clithero was a fine specimen OF
the now nearly extinct class of old
fashioned London lawyers. His man
rers belonged, like his straight-cut coat
collars, and lawn cravat, and dainty
shoes, to a generation gone by; and
Jane had never felt quite at case in
presence of that elaborate urbanity
which, while too stately to be obse-
uuious, yet delivered itself in periods
too rounded, and with bows and smiles
too finished, to have the effect upon
her girlish imagination of coming from
anywhere ut all near the old mans
heart.
Miss Lynch is we'll, I trust? Ner-
vous; ali, dear, dear!-poor lady! We
have had a very unhealthy season in
town, very unhealthy. You will find
the sun warm there, my dear Miss
Jane" and he bowed her to a place op-
posite his own armchair; an awful,
business-like, ominous proximity it
seemed to the poor girls trembling
heart. You have had something to eat
since your arrival in town? No: then
let me offer you 4 glass Of. sherry and
a biscuit. My dear young lady, 1 must
really insist upon it. Miss Lynch, /
am sure, would make you take some
refreshments after so long a Journey"
And then the bell was rung, and the
solemn old man-servant WAS requested
to bring in wine; and Jane, in spite of
her protestations that she required
| none, was forced to take some, n
listen all the time to Mr.. Clithero's
bland remarks about the heat Of the
weather, ard the height at which the
thermometer had stood on such day,
and the likelihood that the papers
seemed to say there was CT an ample
harvest, and the likelihood, also, of a
war between Spain and America; with
other such enlivening and momentous
subject of public interest.
But the glass. Of wine rallied her
courage, as tEe:old l~awyer-with his
perfect knowledge of all the lower
mechanism of human nature-intended
it should do.
Sir" she cried, suddenly, and before
he had finished speaking of the I'M
usual show of fruit now to be seen
at Covent Garden, II have come here
to-day upon what I believe is to be a
painful errand. 1 have come to you to
hear the history of my fathers life.
1 never knew him, Mr.. Clithero-l
never knew either of my parents. 1t
is right, now that I am a woman, that
l should be told more concerning
them"
Mr.. Clithero had a f%aint-very faint
attack of coughing, and looked at the
ring upon his hand, not in Jane Grand's
face.
II have received a letter from Miss
Lynch on the subject" he remarked,
land 7 must congratulate you, dear
Miss Grand, upon the circumstances
which have rendered our present inter
view necessary"
Il have been very fortunate, sir. l
have won the regard of a man who
does not think my poverty or want OF
friends any bar to my becoming his
wife"
Here her voice trembled painfully.
MI. Mohun of Yatton," remarked
Mr.. Clithero. "A very old family, the
Mohuns; and this young gentleman, I
am told, comes into his property unen-
numbered"
1.-The old family and the great estate
are the only things that seem against
my happiness" said Jane, with a
broken smile. perhaps it might be
better if G%ifford-if Mr.. Mohun-and
myself were rot so widely separated
by rank and fortune"
My. dear young friend, rank and
fortune were never bars in the way
of any ones happiness. Rank and for
tune can live down q great many
things. Rank and fortune may enable
4 man to take a step, TO incur a re-
proach even. which, if he were a little
poorer. or 4 little lowlier born, he
would not have the courage to take
upon him"
Jane looked hard into Mr.. Clithero's
face, and this time his eyes met hers.
She read there Il look, not so much OF
positive pity or Of %softness, as OF hest
tation; and she knew that he was try
ing to brhing her gradually to a truth
bitterer-harder to %bcar-than she had
dreamed Of.
What is there to live down?' she
cried. What reproach will Clifford
have to take upon himself in marrying
me? Tell me quick, sir. / can bear it.
l am very strong. The only thing that
is difficult to bear is the suspense of
not knowing"
1T is not Il long story, Miss Grand,
though l fear it will be a painful one
for Il daughters ears to listen to. But
for your engagement this disclosure
need not have been made; and we must
hope that the happiness Of the occasion
will be more than sufficient to counter
balance the inevitable suffering which
sou will have to bear
Il am ready to bear it. l am ready
to ~listcn," said Jane, with her lips be-
ginning to look strangely pale and set.
Only, as you say, don't let it be 100
long-come TO the point quickly, and go
back to tell me the particulars after
Ua,ID