The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-03-27

one day be known lrreSpecLlVeiy OIL
him who gave it you," said tie canon,
encouragingly. 81 hear from your
tutor that great things are expected
of you. You will achieve reputation
fame"
And independence" added the
young man, vehemently.
mo doubt of it. To a young man
of character 1.-THE canon was think
ing of his W SOM dependence is
thralldom. Nature herself points out
to him his way in the world. But l
gathered from what you said that
you and your patron had parted COM
pany."
$50 we have. What I have now
to gain is a competence"
"Oh, l see. That sprt of indepen-
dence," returned the other, dryly.
The young man looked amazed,
then as one who, having lost his way,
hits suddenly on what he believes to
be the right track, he answered eag-
| erly, do not think me m~ercenary,
sir! You do not know what poverty
is"
"Quite true, quite true" said the
canon, touched by the others tone.
Il am no judge Of such a case as
yours"
Moreover, it is my earnest desire
to free myself from the sense of an
obligation that has become intoler-
able"
"Ah, you want to pay this too-gen-.
erous gentleman that money back
that he has expended on you?"
The scholar bowed his head as
seemingly; if his intention was to have
made a favorable impression on his
companion he had certainly sue
ceeded; there was no need for him to
speak.
May I ask without impertinence
indeed, 1 have a reason for it
the cause of quarrel between you and
Sir Charles?"
at is only natural that you should
do so, sir" answered the young man
gravely. eff I do not answer your
question you must not imagine that
l am ashamed to do so. I am not
| afraid of any inquiry, but" here he
turned scarlet, lit was a private mat
ter"
That means there was a lady in
the case, I suppose" said the canon
smiling.
Eyes, sir; I was very i~ll-treated."
"And not by her, I dare say
smiled the canon. "Well, my lad,
we cannot all get what We want in
this world, and as often as not it is
better for us that we should not. I
cannot say" he continued in a
changed tone, chow pleased I am
with your assistance in my present
work. You seem to me to be the
very helpmate I have been looking
for. l was verifying what you had
done last night, and did not detect a
| single error. I do not think that the
remuneration we agreed upon is a
sufficient recompense for such care
and accuracy. I propose to double
It,"
"Oh, sir, you are too generous
"Tchut, tchut! the benefit IS mu-
tual; you may be sure I keep the
whole matter secret, as before. Nor
need 1 add that what you have just
conided to me about your own af-
fairs will go no further"
He spoke SO rapidly that it was i'm
possible for the other to interpose a
word of thanks! but his face glowed
with pleasure.
by the bye, you are not in the
boats, are you?"
ooh, no.. sir" The words were
| spoken with a cold smile, which
might have almost been translated,
How should 1 be, since T have Meth
er time nor money for such things?'
Then you must join US here to-
morrow night. We shall have a lit
tie party to see the professionally
ward-I think I hear them this mo-
ment on the staircase; they often
| come to fetch me home"
While he was yet speaking the
door opened and two ladies entered
the room, the elder a tall woman OF
about fve-and-forty, very thin and
angular, but with an air OF singular
refinement and delicacy; the younger
a slight, fairy like creature, eXquis-
itely pretty, and with a face that
sparkled with expression; her hair
was golden, and her eyes of hazel.
But it was not at once that you no
ticed any such detail; her other
charms were lost in her brightness.
MY dear guardian" she ex-
claimed, I'VE are late, l know, but do
not scold Aunt Maria, it was all my
fault; for after chapel Here
she stopped, catching sight of the
young scholar.
"A friend Of mine, Mr.. Adair, my
dear Maria" There was something
in the tone of her brothers introduce
ton which caused Miss Aldred to gra-
ciously hold out her hand instead of
bowling.
"Mr. Adair, my ward, Miss Gil
bert"
The girl inclined herself stif1y to-
ward him with what was very literal
ly a scant cQurtesy-and while look
ing straight in his face contrived to
carry the impression that she was I'M
conscious of his presence. Notwith-
standing all which signs and tokens,
II have had the pleasure of meeting
Miss Gilbert BEFORE" said Mr.. John
Adair. and at the same time stepped
forward and held out his hand.
The delicate pink faded from \ IS