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

which Machiavellian strokes led grad
ually on to q state of intimacy. very
sweet indeed to Miss Lynch's heart,
and which awakened many dire and
vengeful f%eelingsin the bosoms OF other
maiden women in the parish.
And now to think he should consent
TO 20 to this ball, Janew! Miss Lynch
spoke as she thought, and frequently
burst out into little spasmodic praises
of the vicar, without designating him
more closely than by personal pronoun.
after not being at a ball for nearly
twenty years, to think he should con-
sent to 90 because I asked him. 1t is
really most kind-I think without ex-
laggeration, I might add, most particu-
lar"
They were on their way to Yatton:
Miss Lynch occupied with thoughts OF
iellies, footmen, Mr.. Follett, and her
own black moire-Jane wondering, Win
ice-cold hands and flushing cheeks,
whether the first dance would have be-
gun when they reached Yatton-
whether Clifford would have delayed 1t
for her-whether he would dance with
her-whether (but she blushed in the
dark as she wondered) this long
looked-for night was to bring her any
greater certainty Of Mohur's feelings
than all his pretty speeches, and vague
ou~estionings, and lingering hand-pres-
sures of the preceding three weeks had
done.
Her heart seemed to stop when, for the
first time in her life, she found herself
on the threshold of Gifford's house.
She had entertained q childish nope
that he would be waiting somewhere
near to bid her welcome, and all her
courage sank before the sight OF the
grand gentleman in livery who merely
condescended to thunder out "Half past
three in the direction Of the stupehed
village driver, and then usher them on
to another and grander gentleman IN
black. who deigned, by O gracious In
Election of his finger, to show into what
chamber they might retire 20 take OH
their cloaks. ..
"All so beautifully managed" whis-
pered Miss Lynch, who, from having
| assisted in the previous arrangements,
took quite a vicarious pride in the
splendor that chilled poor Jane. The
cloakroom is in the late Mr.. Mohun's
study-I settled it so myseif-not BACK
TO the house-door again, child!-hoW
| shy and foolish you are! here to the
right.
And, in another minute, James ner-
yousness was further increased by
finding herself in the full blaze OF wax
candles, and the presence of the stately
housekeeper, and Of a half dozen or so
great country young ladies, who were
arranging their silks and tarletons, be-
fore the glasses, and accorded only
the scantiest and most distant notice
TO herself and Miss Lynch as they en-
! tered.
my dress is very plain. auntie," she
! whispered, as she glanced at the bril-
liant toilets of some young girls who
we're standing heal them. I'VE needn't
have been so desperately afraid 1
should be overdressed."
And with q very meek sense OF ner
own deficiencies, Jane Grand stood
and waited till some break in the
| ample waves Of silk and lace should
allow her to see her plain white mus
lin and wreath of natural flowers re-
flected back las no dress or hers had
ever before been refected) from a
cheval glass;
81 wish it was all over, auntie," She
! whispered %nervously, when, after q
very hasty survey on her part, n a
very lengthy and critical n upon that
of Miss Lynch, they were at length
proceeding to the ballroom. I'VE snail
not have a creature to speak to except
Mr.. Mohun, and he will be a great
deal too much taken up with other
| people to attend to u.s."
we shall have the vicar, Jane" an
swered Miss Lynch, who was hersel1
| not without trepidation at the prospect
| of being ushered into a room contain
ing all the "best people" of the county.
mo one can feel at ease with a mcm-
| Der of one of the recognized profess
| %sions-above all, with the clergyman
of their own parish, to support them"
But at the moment when Miss Lynch
and Jane Grand were first, formally,
ushered into the presence Of good So
ciety, MI. Follett happened to be drink
ing his coffee in of the other rooms
and Jane speedily realized to the full
the peculiar sensation Of standing
and not so much unnoticed as unno-
ticeable in an immense room full OF
strangers.
ITO be continued.)