The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-02-21

before, Il don't like TO see you crying
I have been obliged 70 leave you to-day.
l had troubles OF my W that l was
forced TO escape from. Tell ME What
YOU cry for. child. and if ! can Will
help you
And she bent forward ard laid her
hand kindly Oh Miss Fe"Gusson's shoul-
der.
But Matty, since size was two years
old. had lived her hand against every
man'-suspectinS every one, beileF!hS
10 one. confiding in Ito one-not wen
her own mother. She could understand
Jane Grand, cold. ~distrustful, jealous,
as she had known her hitherto; Dut
this cou%nterbonnd of q generous heart,
this trembling hand, these softallihg
ewes from one who so lately had spoken
harshly of her, Miss Matty regarded as
tokens of the very dcadlIest species CT
women's warfare-a masked battery
against which her own strongest lie
fenses must be brought to bear. NO
doubt the woman wanted to worm Il
confession from her, TO be repeated
with additions land he ~NndenlaDIe
tears made much Of TO MoEun to-mor-
row morning.
"There are such things as tears or
ioy. Miss Grand. l should have dried
nv eyes if I had known you were com
ING. but | never heard you till you
were in the room. 1t is very foolIsh,
hit 7 can't help it. / am so happy to-
night!w
Jane drew her hand back as though
it had been stung. She knew Mattys
tears were not those Of happiness, but
she also knew what it meant that
Matty should say so!
II am glad you are happy, Matty,
in O fearfully trembling voice this. III
is good for some one to be so in TINS
world, and you are very young, chiio-
oun to know as much Of life as you
have known; and whatever cause it is
that makes you glad today l wish
you joy. Matty, and 1 hope your happi-
ness will prove true, and will aDlde Dy
you!"
Whatever it cost her to say them'
those words did not come from janes
heart, and yet she knew perfectly well
that she was wishing this girl JOY IN
Mohun's love.
Matty looked up sharply into IN Viellle
files face, and little as she felt dls-
posed to be confidential. something III
the expression of its Guiverlns Whlte
features touched her-as much as
Matty Ferguson could be touched!
For even in the children Of such peo-
pie as Warren Ferguson and his vile
children who have run wild amons
the gamins Of half a score OF Cohtl-
nental cities-even in natures Of when
petty intrigue and sordid, selfish deceit
have become the daily meat-the COM
mon elements of human nature remain
very much the same, reader, as IN
yours or mine.
Matty was ready to marry any gen
tleman possessing means sufficient TO
keep her. Matty had played a Dold,
unwomanly stroke to gain Mohull OIL
Yatton, and rather dislikiEg than Tx
ing him. had entangled him in an oner
of marriage not two hours ago.
But Matty Ferguson also had been
in love; yes, in true, honest love, win
m exceedingly handsome. unworthy
personage, attache to one OF the numer-
Gus Russian ambassadors VINO were
wont 10 visit Baden aden-the
Alexis of her letter to her sister.
This young Russian gentleman hao
found the romantic passion Of the Eng
lish girl, or child, as he regarded Eer'
an innocent refreShment for him IN lEe
intervale of roulette playing II the
hundred other distractions OF baden
life. In her shabby little frock, barely
reaching to her ankles, Matty FERGUS
son haunted him as he took his break
fast in the monday shade OF the Coh'
yersations-Haus Gardens, haunted hin,
Jealous and miserable, when he walked
abroad after dinner with the Srandes
danes of his acquaintance, whose
splendid dresses made her, in her poor,
mean frock, look and feel more than
ever like a beggar; haunted him on
his way to the theatre, to Inc caslno'
haunted him everywhere. Matty, at
this epoch, was in the transition state
from childhood to womanhood, ianKy'
awkward. la~rge-eyed, freckled, II al
together fortunately for herr not neal
%well-looking enough for the count 10
| dream of taking the trouble Of falling
in love with her. But to q man OF the
caliber of alexis alteration from any
woman. even from a little, plalnish
Girl of sixteen, is not without flavor;
and so he actually met Miss Ferguson
once or twice by appointment in the
Senehkcpgarten, and wrote her two
or three little French notes-she had
them still. 1 do not doubt-and'gaVe her
a ring inexpensive. and that some one
else had given him) with a minute por-
ton of his hair within it, upon the
morning that the Russian ambassador
and his suite quilted Baden.
ITO be c%ontinued.)