The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-11-22

Ia 8 fates had wilied it so. The
III ~ + fates were i'll the form Of
ss1o~ an eccentric aunt, who LEFT
a large estate to David On
tIe condition that lie. marry one-auy
one-of Spring6e,d's fair daughters.
1t first David had rebelled. He said
Ii would never step foot III the poSey
little village. Then he concluded to
spend the summer there.
Sitting on the hotel porch he espied
a vision in frilIs and rufles. "Who is
taat?:" he asked the clerk, interested at
orce. And who wouldn't have been?
For the lady was dressed IL the dam
1tiest of white lawns, and Wore a big
picture hat, from under the brim OF
(which she glanced almost mischieyouS-
ly at him.
"Oh, that. is. Mrs. Vernon" was the
8answer. The clerk lifted his hat in re-
Sponse to a bewildering smile Of greet
ing.
Hang it all" David thought, IL
never did see a woman could love
that wasn't already married" He ate
his supper with relish, thinking all the
while of the fact that he never saw al
attractive single girl in his life.
Going out ON the porch again, his at
ieniion was arrested by the Sight of
another charming young woman In
I stantly he forgot about the picture hat
-he cooked fair and square and way
deep into a pair Of the tenderest blue
eyes imaginable.
"Tyho is that?' he asked quickly.
"Why that's Mrs. Hurd." Again
David's heart sank. He wondered why
married women were allowed to go
around loose in pink airy gowns and
soft lace.
Four different. girls passed during the
evening. "Uncommonly uefy and
dowdy," David thought. bitterly.
Our girls aren't much. but our wild
ows are Jul PRIDE" the gacruieus
| clerk volunteered.
And who are the widows?" David
asked, YEARLY.
Mrs. Vernon and Mrs. Hurd." came
the answer.
"Hurrayr David exclaimed. a
beautiful sunset. i am very enthusias-
tic about sunsets" The CLERK looked
puzzled.
It was all 4 matter Of taste which
was the prettier. Both were charming
each in her own particular wy. But it
must not be imagined the ladies were
ct all alike.
Mrs. Vernon was plump, inclined to
stoutness, with rosy cheeks, brown
hair and sparkling eyes. Size WAS FROM
4 hardy German stock and rose at 4
in the morning to, accomplish a big
days work, il the occasion demanded
it. No matter how hard she worked
her eyes lost none of their luster nor
her smile its brilliancy.
Mrs. Hurd was petite, decidedly
small, in fact, with yellow hair and
great blue eyes-eyes as innocent as a
Guilds, but full Of pathos born Of years.
! Contrary to Mrs. Vernon, Mrs. Hurd
nwas delicate. II she swept the house.
then she must buy bakers bread that
day and lie down awhile in the after
noon.
All night, brown and blue eyes haunt.
! ed David's dreams. With the morning
came a determination to meet the
blue eyes first.
lie did. The acquaintance ripened
rapidly. 1t became 4 courtship before
Mrs. Hurd realized it.
Z love him, dear" she eoHidet to
her friend. 81 think l was wrong about
second marriages; you see, 4: WOMAN
needs some Il to lean OIL. L am so
tired standing alone"
"You know best" Mrs. Vernon an,
swered, kissing her fondiy. Il sorsc-
times think that way myself"
One evening David asked his sweet
heart to take him to call on Mrs. Yer
non. Il hear she is the best house.
keeper in Springfield" he said, thought,
iessly. Mrs. Hurd hastily wiped the
dust from a chair.
Mrs. Vernon was delighted to sec
t5em and insisted upon making lemon
AIDE and bringing out some cake. Il
always have cake on hand" she OK
/ plain, when David complimented it.
Mrs. Hurd picked at her dress ner'
vously ard choked OIL a piece Of frost,
lug. Twice David had taiser tea at her
house arlshe had bought cake. She
felt her walls were failing, bat sne was
too just to blame her friend.
Going home David haG 2 great dea'
I1o say about how nice everything
looked at Mrs. VerEou's.
Next morning Mrs. lIurd rose very
| early and CAV the house I thorough
| cleaning from top TO bottom. Wller
David came at 10 o'clock for her to 81
driving She could scarcely move. Ilei
/ eyes lad lark rings under them, Ant
ille corners OF her mouth dropped pill
fully. Il cannot 50, David" size said
wistfully. Seeing his disappointment
| she added: Why not ask Mrs. Vernon
tlHs morning."
al wight, Nellie, uill," he ali
swered, Tightening. She had hoped
] he would say no"