The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-23
CHAPTER w.
Continued.
By MRS. ALEXANDER.

-.
"I have not had a good time of it
since you were away, Glynn. l have
been on the brink of ruin through the
treachery of a man l thought a FRIEND
But I hope to get over it. l think
I'll get over it, and whatever happens
Elsie's little fortune is out of harms
way. / made sure of that. She need
never starve."
Very prudent and proper" re-
turned Glynn. But I earnestly hope
you will escape the loss you mention.
Been bitten by a bubble company
"No! It's a long story; I'll tell it
to you some day, and you'll judge
for yourself; but not now, not now.
.Ah! you are a bright chap, Glynn,
strong and steady. If you had a lit
tie capital, now, you'd get along first
rate"
Glynn did not answer his conjec-
lures as to his (Glynn's) financial po-
sition; he felt terribly disappointed
that Lambert had made nc confession
of tangible difficulties, and yet he
was brimful of some trouble which
he could not bring himself to confess.
At dinner, some hours later, he Ell
ther was more cheerful or assumed
a livelier aspect for his daughters
benefit. She seemed to accept the
Improvement as real, and the evening
went quickly. With the help of mu-
sic and conversation Lambert toward
the end seemed to forget his troubles
and was more like himself. At part
ing Elsie gave Glynn an eloquent
glance expressive Of thanks, of mu-
tual understanding, which sent him
away charmed, restless-longing for
their next interview, yet full of dread
for the future.
The next day as he was leaving
his hotel he ran against Deering, who
was coming in. Il am off to Vlchy
to-day" he said. 81 thought I should
Jus. let you know. I ought to have
gone a week ago, but I met some peo-
ole that amused me; Lady Harriet
Beauchamp and Wedderburn you
know them, I suppose? Shall I ind
you here when l return?'
THAT depends upon the length OF
your visit"
"Oh, about a fortnight"
"I shall hardly stay SO long"
Goodbye, then. Don't forget
Denham in August. Lady Frances
will be delighted to e you"
The very atmosphere seemed light
er and brighter to Glynn when Deer
ing was safe away. Lambert was
visibly relieved, and his daughter re-
fected her fathers mood.
These were delightful days. The
quiet harmony of the present made
Glynn regardless Of the future.
There were moments when his hes
itation disappeared, and Glynn was
almost resolved to make Elsie his
wife if she would have him; but that
vague cloud of mystery was a bad &C
compartment for married life. ,
1t was about ten days after Glynn's
return, and he was debating in his
W mind the prudence and advisa-
bility of a retreat while he had still
some command of lis own will. Din
ner was over in Lambert's pretty
sale a manger. Elsie hal left her
father and his friend to talk and
smoke for the lazy, comfortable half
hour which succeeds the evening
meal.
Miss Lambert is looking quite
herself again." said Glynn, his imag-
ination too full of her to resist
speech.
"She is" returned her father.
THAT is because l Am brighter; but
I am not out of the wood yet-not
yet" He was silent for a moment or
two, putting vigorously while he
thought. "Ay:-many an anxious
thought she costs me. Id give 6
good deal-all I possess, life itself,
to know she was safe and in better
hands than mine. Glynn, I am going
to prove the confidence I have in
you. We are men of the world, and
a talk to each other without fear
of misunderstanding"
Its coming at last" thought
Glynn. you may be sure that any
thing you like to tell is safe with
me-" he said aloud.
Il know it." He rose, lifted the cur
tain which hung acros the doorway
beading to Elsie's little study, as
sured himself it was unoccupied and
the outer door shut. Then he re-
sumed his seat, and placing his arms
on the table leaned toward Glynn, and
began in a low voice, which, as he
plunged deeper into his subject, grew
clearer and louder. Look here, now,
4 don't see why, when I am in Rome,
/ shouldn't do as Rome does. I know
you'll meet me in my W spirit. If
you like what I am going to propose,
well and good; if not, there's no
harm done. First of all I suppose
Il am right in concluding you are not
married-that you are free and indie
;pendent?"
Il am" said Glynn, greatly sur
prised.
'Tnen what do you say to settling
yourself? You are old enough. You
are six or seven and thirty, I guess.
Now, If you are so disposed, I'd die
happy if l saw you married to my
Elsie"
I Glynn started at this bold PROPOSE
ton; yet gazing at the eager eyes,
the earnest face, the slight nervous
twitch in the lips which had just ut
tered it, he felt strangely moved.
Don't answer all at once" ccN-