The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-06-14
:::::: BY B. l.. FARJEON. ::::::
~ CHAPTER XI. :
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Had Walter been less in love than
he was he would not have passed over
the change in his fathers appearance
so lightly; an hour afterward, When
MIR. Deepdale was lying back in an
armchair, pretending to sleep, THIS
change struck Walter with deep sig
n~iicance, and he waited impatlently
for his fathers summons. 1t was not
given till the sun was setting, n
then Mr.. D%eepdale said:
"Wall l wish you to take a walk
with me-"
81 am ready, dad"
AS he followed his father out OF the
room he exchanged looks with Sar-
anne and Little Make Believe.
Saranne blushed, and her heart beat
violently; both she and Little Make
Believe knew that their fate was about
to be decided.
1t was a fine evening, and Mr.. Deep
dale and Walter walked to a favorlte
resting place of theirs, the way being
led by Mr.. Deepdale.
He spoke of various subjects with
an attempt at lightness, but most con-
s~picuously i'll at ease.
Presently he halted, and seating
himself on the ground upon some dry
leaves, invited Wally to sit by his side.
The spot chosen by MI. Deepdale was
a break in the woods, which Wally
had once sportively said he was sure
was a fairy haunt.
It was in the midst of a circle Of
trees, and, especially at this time of
the day, there was but little fear of
their being intruded upon.
There was silence for a moment or
two. Then MI. Deepdale bent toward
Walter and kissed him.
The kiss brought tears into Walters
eyes, it was so tenderly given. In a
quiet tone Mr.. Deepdale said:
Now, Wally, you are to speak first"
"It is about Saranne, dad"
eyes, Wally," said Mr.. Deepdale,
without expressing surprise, which
Walter accepted as a good sign, "about
Saranpe."
"You have noticed, dad, that she is
very beautiful"
II have noticed it, Wally."
And as good as she is beautiful,
dad"
II have no doubt of that, my boy"
"She has been so from childhood,
from the day we first made her &C
quaintance. There was something so
gentle about her and so sweet even in
those days that 1 used to wonder how
1t was that she occupied so low a sta
ton in life. But that was not her
fault, dad"
True"
: Even then, I remember, I was in
terested in her, and tookea pleasure in
teaching her. And she learnt quickly.
There is nothing in the way of refine
ment that she cannot acquire, because
she is naturally refined. A stranger
seeing her for the first time would
never suspect that she had lived so
hard and poor a life; she is well fitted
to grace any station. I have a plan
in my head with respect to her of
(which I hope you will approve"
1--WE will come to that presently,
Wally. You have, however, up to the
present moment, left out what is most
important in this important matter-or
rather, you have indicated it rather
than expressed it. I will supply the
omission. You love her, Wally"
Eyes, sir, I love her"
~Have you spoken to her?'
: Eyes, sir, but all depends upon you.
/ feared that you might raise objections
because we are gentlemen and she
is not what is generally understood as
q lady. That is not against her, and
should not be brought against her;
she has the instincts of a lady, and will
do no discredit to you or me-"
II have seen a great deal in her to
admire, my boy; her sister has noble
qualities, and she doubtless possesses
them, though in a lower degree. That
may spring from their attitude toward
each other, Little Make-Belieye being,
as we know, sister and parent in one
to this tender and pretty young lady.
My calling her so should satisfy you
as to the opinion I have of her"
."You make me very happy, sir"
1T is my desire, my boy. I stand
toward you somewhat in the same re-
lation as Little Make-Believe stands
toward Saranne. My one wish in life
is to see you honorably happy. 1t is
not for me to stand in the way of your
affections, when I have reason to sup
pose that the person upon whom you
have bestowed them is good and Vir-
tuous.
ITO me the difference in rank-even
were I situated in another position
than l now find myself-a remark you
will soon understand-would and does
weigh but little. Your mother was a
poor girl when l married her, but
every one believed that her social
standing was equal to mine. as /
chose from the ranks of the poor and
have reason to be deeply, most deeply
grateful in my choice, so I am content
that you should do the same, if your
heart is earnestly engaged"
1T is, sir, most earnestly engaged.
I could be happy with no other
woman"
"You are as I was. Wally; l see my
self in you. You spoke of 4 PLAN
at is this, sir. That Saranne should
be placed in some fitting school of your
selection. where. in twelve months, she