The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-04-17
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Continued.

stances we have just described, would
have been alarming enough to any
young woman; while the appearance
of the intruder himself--limp, be-
draggled, lividAwas not calculated
to restore confidence. One side of
him covered with mud (where he had
lain on the ground, pending Mr..
Perry's investigation of the garden
gate), the other in Sodden evening
clothes, his only protection against
the wild weather without an under
graduates gown tied round his neck
like a shawl-the only thing that
could be said to the advantage of the
young man was that he did not look
like a gay young Lothario. Not for
q moment, however, did Miss Per-
kins imagine him to be a vulgar thief
or a burglar.
The intruder, too, was hardly less
surprised, and from the same cause.
He had counted upon being confront
ed with a familiar face, and 10! he
found himself in the presence of a
stranger.
Being a woman and a ready one,
Miss Perkins was the first to speak.
'Who on earth are you?" she in
quired; and what r you come here
about?"
, Il am a friend of Canon Aldred's,'
he said; land as I was coming home
from the ball, I saw a man slip into
your garden. Perceiving by the light
yonder''-he pointed to the candle
chat some of the family were still
up, 1 thought it my duty to give you
warning of it,"
An ordinary British maid-servant,
under like circumstances, would have
grasped with gratitude at the means
thus suggested of explaining matters;
but Jeanette vas much too sharp to
fall into such an error. 1t flashed
upon her in a moment that the new
conner could not have made use of
the same signal as his predecessor,
had he not witnessed it; and, there
fore, that all concealment as to that
incident was useless. Moreover, here
was an unexpected opportunity of do
ing a good turn to her young mis-
tress, whom she knew had reason to
stand in fear of this gentleman.
my master should be greatly
obliged to you, sir" she said hesitat-
ingly. But the fact is, the person
you saw is no burglar, as you sup
pose. I have just seen him myself,
for he had the impudence to force
his way in, though I did my best to
prevent him; he is a friend Of the
family-though, as you may we'll say,
after such conduct, hardly deserves
to remain so;. he is not quite master
of his own actions tonight, having
been, I suppose, at the ball supper!
If it got to be known, I am terrified
to think what would happen; l don't
mean to him, for he would only have
himself to thank for it; but the
canon, I'm sure, would be so dread
fully distressed"
And your young mistress, Miss
Gilbert, also, perhaps?" suggested
Adair, dryly.
mo doubt, and Miss Aldred like
wise. There is nothing like your
gentleman BLACKBOARD for doing mis-
chief in a house"
Wet as he was, a glow came into
the cheeks Of Mr.. John Adair and
touched his trembling ears.
There is a general notion, set ago.
ing I am inclined to think, by the
scoundrels themselves, that persons
who behave in a rascally manner are
unaware of it, or at all events that
they gloss it over in their own minds,
SO that the thing looks much more
it may be so, when rascality has be-
come the rule and not the exception
of their lives, but in a general way
every one is conscious Of the commits
sion of a %baseness, and no more likes
to be reminded Of it than of any other
unpleasant fact.
Il have heard of a gentleman
farmer and of a gentleman jockey"
returned the young mar with a
forced smile; but a gentleman
Backyard, my good girl, is a contra
diction in terms"
well, I never heard him called by
that name, sir" returned Jeanette,
simply; but there's plenty of them
about. You would never believe it,
but that young man had the impu-
dence to call here tonight, without
the least thought of the scandal that
might come of it, merely to inquire
Why my young mistress was not at
the ball to-night-as though it was
any business Of his"
"Impudent scoundrel!" calculated
Mr.. Adair, Indignantly. And why
didn't your young mistress go to the
ball?"
We'll, surely there was reason
enough, as you must very well
know"
Adair's face darkened for a mo-
ment. He had all along suspected
that it was the fear of meeting him,
or rather being under his surveil-
ance while she was in Perry's com
pany, that had kept her away from
the Town Hall; and the supposition,
as we know, was correct.
Il know of no reason" he an
swered sharply. 1T ought to have
been a very good one, for only a few
hours ago Miss Gilbert promised me
a dance with her OWL lips. 1t was
a great disappointment to me-"
1T naturally must have BEEN" ad-
mitted Jeanette, a light craft that
could put about at a moments notice.
Il am sure she is very sorry that it