The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-10-04
.Rumboltt, S Heir . . .
~ Xxx
BY MALCOLM FURZE.


Continent. a sea voyage. etc. ETC., and
Rumbolt acquiesced ungracefully, but
he packed his bag with feverish haste,
and the train took him. not to Dover or
Folkstone. but down into the heart Of
Devonshire, where in the fairest coun-
ty of England. his forfeited heritage
stood.
He put up at the Little inn Of the
market town. which was situated about
ten miles from: the Chase. 1t was,
rather rough night a boisterous gnle
was bowling across his beloved pas
lures, ard the rain was coming down
in sheets. Suddenly, below in the hall.
he heard q commotion. A private car
riage had met with an accident: the
horses had just escaped being killed by
a tree falling across their path. but
the carriage had suffered. being almost
crushed by the weight of the branches
as they fell. Anthony was soon in the
tiny hall. listening to the tale of Woer
as a tall. slender girl. with her we'll
shaped head, came forward into the
dim light.
She turned her eyes on the young
man who had just Joined the assem-
bled company, and Rumbolt's heart
gave 8 big throb and passed out Of his
own keeping forever. The eyes that
had wrought this havoc were wide and
velvety. of a color something between
a deep shade of gray and purpie-big,
innocent, fearless eyes. that rested on
his face for the space of second. and
then sought the circumscribed hall for
the innkeeper. The latter came for
ward little TREMENDOUSLY. The acci-
dent was not his fault, but the young
lady would doubtless want to be put
up for the night, and his lordship had
the best room in the house. and the
only one that was worth offering to q
lady.
81 cannot so on" she said, in clear
tones, which reached Rumbolts ears;
perhaps, Mr.. Jenkins. you will place
4 room at my disp0sal?"
The innkeeper prevaricated to gain
time. ' He murmuredT his desire to
meet with the lady's wishes in every
respect, shrugged his shoulders. and
invited; her to be seated in the eparlor
until her room had been prepared.
Then he turned helplessly to Anthony.
who stood leaning against the balus-
trade. watching the little play.
"It'S your room. my lord, which IS
the very best" he said, entreatingly.
might I make so bold as to ask you
TO-"
He stopped. awed by the curious look
in his companions face. Anthony pur-
posely misunderstood him.
"Give her the best roOm." he said,
magnanimously. ''as long as you don't
disturb me-"
"But-"
Anthony waved him aside. with a
laugh.
"Don't but me-" he remarked. "Put
the young lady in your best room, and
make no more apologies about it
There, that will do"
Consumed with a desire to meet the:
glance of those lovely eyes once more,
RumboIt sauntered into the little room
where the lady was waiting until her
room should be ready for her. BE was
rewarded, for the girl looked UP at
his entrance. She smiled at, him so
frankly that he decided to ignore Mrs.
Grundy.
''It was an awkward accident" he
said, taking a chair at the table, while
he concentrated his gaze upon some
wax flowers in a glass case at the
other end Of the room. "It was lucky
that you were near this place"
''It would have been luckier if had
been nearer my own house." she an
SWered, with o faint show of con-
straint. Something told her that just
because this young man was hand
some and everything that could be de-
sired, she had better keep him at dis
tance.
"You will be quite comfortable, I as
sure you, here" he assured her, smil-
ing. "Do you live near?"
She looked out Of the window
Rather near" she answered in low
tones.
"rhen perhaps you have heard of the
gentleman who bought Rumbolt
Chaser" he vertured. eagerly.
Gentleman? You mean-er-yes, of
course, I know-hi1nr the girl an
swered. hurriedly. "Nice-girl-I mean
Warrcn6er! Have you met
Lim?"
Anthony shook his head. "No," be
decidedly. 'and don't want
to. either. You see. I was-the heir,
and 1 was forced to sell the old place,
and it went against the grain. One
can't keep up title on nothing. so the
place had to gor'
"You-you are the heir?" repeated
his companion. wonderingly. a little
flush mounting to her half averted
cheek.
Tony bowed. 81 happen to be that
most unfortunate person." lie returned.
graVely.
Something seemed to excite his COM
panion's risible faculties. for at this
moment she laughed outright. a clear.
bell-like sound which irritated Rum
bolt.
"Why didn't you-marry money?
she asked, after pause. THAT S
what all Impoverished peers do nova
days. don't they-or perhaps you are
already married?"
It was curious, but with those eyes