The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-02-07
CHAPTER XVI.

By return of post came a note de-
scriptive of the intense fervor OF Miss
Fergusson's gratitude, and announcing
that forlorn orphans intention OF ac-
cepting dear Miss Grand's most kind
and benevolent invitation without de-
lay.
Jane was in quite a little futter OF
excitement at the thought of receiving
Chords protege. Her W pretty
bedroom must be given up to her, be-
cause it faced the east, and it Would
be cheerful for the poor child to have
the sun and the smell Of the early
spring flowers every morning when she
got up. The summer curtains should
be put up in the parlor a month earlier
than usual, that the DON might have
a cheerful. airy look to eyes accus-
toned to the grace and lightness OF
Continental houses. She should send
to Haughton for some books Of q more
amusing and less substantial texture
than the few old volumes which
formed the staples of her OWL intellec-
tual resources.
"And you think that Miss Ferguson
will care for sunshine, and %crocuses,
and pretty little improving stories,
Jane! By -! if she's at all what l
remember her mother, she'll rather
surprise your simple mind when you
see her! The worst style of adven-
turess-an affected, painted woman,
making up to every disreputable mar
uuis and countess in Baden and leav-
ing her ragged children to run loose all
over the place. That's my recollection
of dear Miss Fergusson's mamma"
"But no reason that the poor girl
should have grown up like her. Dear
Clifford, you wouldn't say all these
things if you knew how dreadfully
nervous I am at the thought of re-
ceiving her. I, who never have a Wis
itor within my doors except you and
MI. Follett."
At James especial request, Mohun
had consented to be at the cottage to
receive Miss Ferguson; and the car
rage that had brought her from the
station being already within the garden
gates, he was raising Miss Grand's
spirits as to the scheme in speeches
like the one just recorded.
II wonder whether I ought to meet
her at the door, Clifford? I am so shy
of strangers, and yet I would do any
thing to make her feel at home. Now,
if you were to go out in the hall? You
know better than 1 do what would be
the right sort of thing to say"
"Take my word for it, Jane, Mrs.
Fergusson's daughter won't want any
assistance of yours or mine to set her
at home! My advice to you is, never
let her feel herself at home; keep her
in her place from the first; and, above
all, allude continually to the time you
mean her to stay, unless you wish her
to take up her quarters at Chesterford
for the rest of the summer!"
"Oh, Clifford, hush! she is here!'
cried Jane, nervously, as the sound of
a remarkably unabashed voice made
itself heard in the passage.
"'Let the heavy boxes remain here
for the present.! Well, I am glad to
think she feels so much at home; but
she really must have brought a great
deal of unnecessary luggage for a visit
of only a week"
And then the parlor door opened, and
James solitary maid servant the Grace
of old days. announced, with great per-
turbation, the name Of Miss Ferguson;
and there was q sweep Of voluminous
draperies, and a rustling Of rich silk,
and Jane Grand found herself in the
presence Of the poor penniless girl
whom she intended to befriend.
Possessed by the n great thought of
carrying out a promise of Gifford's,
Miss Grand had not troubled herself to
speculate upon whether the nursery
governess presumptive would be good
looking or not. Mohun had a dim recol-
lection CT freckled children, with torn