The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-10-04

thing dreadful had happened to you"
the elder woman said. taking the love-
ly. flushing face between her two thin
hands and kissing her tenderly. "For-
tunately. jenkins told me you were put
ting up at the inn. so knew you would
be all right What an escape you had!
Thank God. you are safel"
"Oh. I'm all right, aunty," the gir!
answered. throwing aside her cloak
and kneeling by the couch. els your
head better to-day? If so. 1 will tell
you of my adventure"
Mrs. Warrender patted her niece's
hands affectionately, and listened to
her account of the nesting with the
heir.
"Poor man. the girl sighed. softly.
"He was so o'Gandsome-andjlo looked sc
sorry, aunty. II he comes today
shall show him round"
"And do the honors. though I am
afraid he will hardly allow you to do
that, considering what violent dis
like he seems to have taken to you al
ready. though he has never seen YOU"
the invalid answered. strokinS the
bright head.
An idea was borne in upon Gives
mind at her aunts words. Why let
him know that she was ;he Give War
render whose money had enabled her
to buy his heritage from, him? Why
not make out that MI. Warrender-
Lord Rumbolt believed him to be a
man-was away from home. and that
his wife. to whom she was companion.
was too i'll to see him?
Her decision was quickly made, for
a servant came in at that moment to
tell her that gentleman was down
stairs who would like to see the place
if it was possible.
Going slowly down stairs. she found
herself at length face to face with
Lord Rumbolt in the big, old-fashioned
drawing room.
He started upon seeing her. and she
anticipated the question his lips were
framing by saying quickly:
sMr. Warrender win be delighted for
you to see as much of the house and
grounds as you like. Mrs. Warrender
is, regret to say. too ill to come down
stairs, or she would have welcomed
you in Mr.. Warrender's absence, which
she much regrets"
"But you-?" He stopped, and she
smiled at,him brayely.,
"I?" she repeated. "Mrs. WarrendeT
keeps paid companion"
. He jumped at once to the conclusion
she wished.
"Ah! You are the companion. Now
I understand"
The glance he gave her was such as
made her turn round hastily to the
door. II will show you round. or
would. you rather go by yourself?"
He hastily vetoed the latter sugges-
ton, and together they made tour of
the house and gardens.
After the rains of the previous day
the skies had cleared. and brilliant
sun shone, high in the blue heavens.
Rumbolt was young, his companion
was young, the earth was fair-hope
was In the air-the summer hours few
all too quickly, and she dared not ask
him to stay to lunch lest. unconscious
Iy, something should arise to disclose
her identity.
But Rumbolt was very much in love
for the first time in his life, and the
obstacles were as nothing. This young
girl was a paid compan IN to wealthy
Mrs. Warrender. and he loved her.
Why should she not become his COM
panion? His profession brought him
in enough to justify his asking such a
girl to marry him. So he cut at the
corn as he walked through the scented
fields and wandered by the silver trout
streams, and when he caught sight of
her pink linen gown through the hedge.
two days later, he made haste to over
take it.
Something in his eyes warned her.
She noted the danger signal, and shy
flush rose to her cheek as she extended
her hand in greeting.
Then he became conscious that he
did not. know her name. She had
never told him beyond the bare fact
that it was-Martyn.
Miss Martyn." he cried, all at once
plungiDg into the subject that was up
permost in his heart, 81 have some
thing to say to you, and you will listen
to me patiently. won't you? l am poor,
but have reason to believe that you
also earn your own livelihood, and 1
want to know if you think you could
ever bring yourself to give up your
luxurious life here and marry me? 1
love you, darling, with all my heart
and SOUL Come away and be my
queen, my best beloved. Say you will
try very hard to love me-"
He caught one slim hand that hung
at her side and carried it to his lips.
81 worship the very ground you tread
on" he said, fervently. GIVE me, oh,
give me a little hope that some day
you will take pity on me-"
sYou love me-" she asked, softly.
"You are quite. quite sure of that.
whatever happens"
II am quite, quite sure Of that he
answered. pasSionately. "Look III my
eyes and read it for yourself
Thus adjured, she raised her lovely
eyes to his. and in 4 second be had
caught her. trembling and blushing. to
his breast.
"Whatever happens-tlll death us do