The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-09
"After all, granting you are righ'
By r ALEXANDER.

what have you to fear? Your ad-
mirer can only look; he dare not an
| noy you, or any attempt at annoyance
| could soon be put a stop to. Indeed,
| I am sure Deering is too much a gen.
| tleman and a man of the world to
outrage good manners in any Way!'
What is his name?"
"Deering, of Denham; rather a
| parsonage in Yorkshire. I know him
and his wife"
He is married?" as if a little sur
| prised. Yes, l dare say I am foolish
to be afraid of anything, but I am
| sometimes such a coward. I suppose
it is the effect Of the terrible terror I
suffered when almost a baby"
~"Indeed!" said Glynn, his curiosity
profoundly stirred, and feeling more
than ever convinced there was. some
very unusual story attached to the
sweet, graceful daughter of his for
mer rowdy acquaintance. II suppose
1 ought not to ask you how and where
you encountered such a shock?"
Il do not mind speaking Of it to
you; it is a sort of relief, for I have
seen you look surprised when I have
started and shuddered at trifes. I
do not wish you to think me silly"
'"Silly!-do you know that you
seem to me the i~mpersonation of
tranquil, womanly wisdom?"
A laugh so merry and Spontaneous
rippled over lip and cheek, and
flashed from her eyes, that for an
instant Glynn feared he had erred by
appearing to e~xaggerate.
THAT you should think so ignorant
a girl as I am wise, is too funny" she
exclaimed
Wisdom is a gift that may be i'm
proved, not created by learning" said
Glynn; but as you permit me to ask,
what was the terror to which you al
lude?"
1T was so long ago that my mem
DRY of it is mere confusion. When
1 was three or four years old the
blacks came and burnt our house,
away in Australia; they killed some
people, too. Then I remember being
on a horse and clinging to my father.
1 think I was quite out Of my mind,
for I remember being afraid of my
own dear father, and thinking him
changed and different from what he
used to be. Oh, it Is all SO confused!
Then there was a long voyage and
great quiet; yet / used to scream If
1 were left alone for a moment. Some
times it seems true that I had two
long sea voyages, and that my only
comfort was to crouch in my fathers
arms. Then came a long period
long and peaceful-in the sweet,
fresh country, where I grew strong
and fearless, though always had
panics.' I had one the first time I
met that gentleman's eyes, and some
times I feel afraid with Mr.. Vincent.
I was very happy with Mrs. Kellett;
she is the good friend who took care
of me till my father put me in the
convent. He used to come and see
me from time to time, and when I
saw how much he loved me I grew to
love him with my whole heart. That
is all l know about my own life"
"And it is enough. You must ban
ish all sense Of fear-life promises to
be fair and smooth for you"
II hope so; but curious thrills Of
terror steal through me sometimes.
I never like to ask my father about
that dreadful. night I think my poor
mother died then, and he cannot bear
to speak of it. It was that fright, I
suppose, that made pe a little slow
and dull; but, thank God, I a and
do enjoy a great deal" -
ut would be a frightful injustice
if you could not; and you must throw
your fears to the winds; you are
formed to win friends; dream only
of happiness and affection! May I
wait and escort you to Madame Da-
villiers'?"
This. request was prompted by a
strange, inexpressible reluctance to
leave her alone in her own apartment
during her fathers absence.
II am turning driVeller," ne
thought; "am 1 on the verge of max
ing a fool of myself? Not with my
eyes open-yet I would risk a good
deal to insure this fair creature from
shock or real danger-for with such
a father, such dubious surroundings,
her future is, to say the least IN
promising"
"Oh, yes; I should be very glad if
you will come with us, and then you
will come and see Madame Davillier
while 1 am with her? My father will
be home on Monday, in the evening.
How delightful it will be to have him
back again. All! he is so. good to me.
1 am sometimes oppressed to think
how dearly he loves me. I suppose
it is because / was SO weak, so nearly
imbecile when a child. Shall we go
to Madame Davilliers' now? I am
quite ready"
when you like; but first do me a
great favor, sing me a song before
you go away among a set of stran-
gers, a song all to myself"
Elsie smiled, and turning to the
| piano at once, complied, choosing a
Latin hymn expressive of faith in d.
vine protection, one of those she was
| accustomed to sing in her convent
school days.
When Glynn had escorted her and
Madame Weber to the Davilliers' resi-
dence, he walked to the hotel where
Mr.. and Lady Frances Deering were
In the habit Of staying, and inquired
if Mr.. Deering had returned. NO."
the waiter said, NOR did they expect
IL LEI -A-A 49,