The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-11-08

ma stick to the exact truth.
T No one does it."
fSpeak for yourself, Bob" replied
Is. St. John, warmly. u entirely diff
from you"
No, you don't, Madge-you only
NIX you do. A few moments calm
lection will convince you that I am
kht," rejoined the young man, with a
Grant smile, which exasperated the
~ almost-but not quite-beyond
brds.
Robert. you're becoming absolutely
e%ndurable. Do you mean to insinu-
that THAT I am"
fOh, no! I wouldn't 60 quite so far
that"
AS what, pray"
AS what you were going to say"
blied the Captain, imperturbably.
Mrs. st. John turned away with a
rug of her shoulders.
Mot" continued he, suavely, chat
IRE worse than other people; but
u must own you are continually COM
led to draw upon your imagination
the course Of conversation"
3Certainly not! I always speak the
2th."
Wonderful woman! Yet you man
to retain your friends"
fOh! If you mean saying Not at
me- when one doesn't wish to re-
We visitors, or signing oneself,
burs affectionately' to a person one
lkes," said the lady, contemptuously.
No, I didn't mean these usages Of
kiety, which take in no one. I refer
the habitual receptions that almost
ery civilized person considers justiff-
e."
Such as?" queried his i%nterlocutor.
If you please, ma'am," inquired a
flor maid from the doorway, there's
Eoung person called from Nine. Hi
Re, to know if next week will suit
J for fitting"
Next week! Certainly not! Say
It I must have the gown by Satur-
}, as I'm going out of town."
What, again, Madge? inquired
plain Harcourt, as the maid with
Nv. "Where r you'of to now?
1--WE only just returned"
Oh, nowhere in particular" replied
5. st. John, carelessly; "but I must
Hilaire I'm going away, or I should
yer get my frocks in time. . Now.
at in the world are you looking so
lerlor for, Bob? You haven't an idea
y unreliable Hilaire is. I'm obliged
say I want things sooner than /
lily do. Where's the harm, I should
to know"
Harm, My dear Madge, non what
pr. 1t simply bears out my conten-
h-ttat's ALL"
Oh, men are so stupidw exclaimed
lady, %petulantly. "Dressmakers
1T count. I should Just like to see
telling the truth to your tailor"
Heaven forbid" calculated the
ing man, piously. but then, you
I allow myself 4 little more rope
tic license-whatever you like to
it."
Bob, I've always considered you the
| of honor. And now to hear you
nit that you are-well, that you
IT always spoak the exact truth"
When you come across the individ-
who does. I should like to make
acquaintance" observed Captain
rcourt. But somehow I imagine
In have a difficulty in finding him,
you won't care much for him when
do"
I'm sure I shall-I like straightfor-
I'd people,"
30 dc I. I'm seriously contemplate
the ACCESSIBILITY Of following your
mpIe, and speaking the truth at all
ts-the brutal truth"
Do" replied his companion, virtu-
~. You'll feel much better for it,
/ rather doubt that; but 1 mean to
Suppose We begin now.
We"
Or course, you. too: but az it's your
ariable practice. it will be no trou-
to you"
Very well; what do you want to
bw"
Your perspicacity is not at fault. I
want to know something. Are you
becting Mr.. Charters this after
|n"
Mr.. Charteris?" echoed Mrs. st.
IN, hesitating. "Why do you ask:
eally don't quite know; perhaps he
y look in"
Then you don't know>fo ce~rtafn?'
If you must have it." admitted the
y, ~ believe he did mention he
lught Of calling to-day. What's the
tier. Bob? Where are you going?
Captain .Harcorrt rose and began
king for his ha'