The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-05-22
CHAPTER TX.
False Freedom.

ing the departed, like the buzzlng OF
flies over garbage. His virtues are
magnified, his vices are exaggerated;
he is made more of" in every way
than when he was in life. In the
case of a man Of loose life, and who
has omitted to make himself popu-
lar, we can believe nothing of what
is said, though from the very extrav-
agance of it some truth may be gath
cred. Mr.. Herbert Perry's memory
suffered like the rest, and a little
more, as a young gentleman who
combines vice with economy, in my
opinion, deserves to suffer.
His funeral, however, was largely
attended. Almost all the boating
men showed, so far, some respect for
their departed chieftain. Mr.. Ma
yors, too, was there, and the canon
himself, a yet more unwilling mourn
or. Such ceremonies were hateful to
him, but since the young man had
been an occasional visitor at the Lau-
rels, and belonged to his W college,
so much of respect seemed due to
his memory. This was the more to
the canon's credit because his pres
ence might have been disagreeably
attributed to a nearer tie, the name
of the dead a having been coupled
in some quarters with that of Sophy.
Upon the whole, however, it was
agreed that that matter had been at
most but a passing Irritation; the Ca
non spoke of it as such himself, and
was much more inclined that Miss
Aldred-whose nerve had received
q considerable shock-to ignore it.
1t was not, of course, desirable,
and could not be expected that Sophy
should put on mourning, but she
might have worn for a few weeks, as
regarded manner, a decent garb of
melancholy. Now and then, indeed,
when there was any mention Of the
dead mans name, she became grave
enough (like some conventional
mourner at a funeral who breaks off
his story at the chapel door,, but,
on the whole, Sophy's behavior not
a little scandalized her young friends.
What was curious, however, Sophy's
health did not improve with her
spirits, which caused certain wise
and ingenious persons, such as
abound everywhere, to observe that
it was easy to see that the apparent
cheerfulness was purchased at a high
price. 1t was Jeannette's impression
who, it is needless to say, did not
share in this opinion - that her
young mistress wanted exercise, and,
indeed, it was many days since she
had left the house or extended her
walk beyond the garden.
II am quite sure, MISS" she said,
for she always called her miss" to
Sophy's great content, that one of
your old constitutional would do
you a great deal of good"
II am very we'll as I am, thank
you," she replied, "and I cannot say
that I take any pleasure now in
walking about Cambridge"
Jeanette smiled a little contempt
uously; she knew that the associa-
lions to which Sophy alluded were
not of a nature to evoke much regret.
1T isn't, miss, as if you were liza
BILE to meet folks" she went on.
II am sure the town looks as If
the plague was in it; all the young
men are gone down for the long va
cation"
mot all of them" returned So
ply, with quiet significance.
"Um-well, of course, you will do
as you please, miss, but the young
gentleman can't bite you, and I must
say your being SO set upon keeping
out of his way must look to him
very much as if you were afraid of
him"
II am not afraid of him, jean
nette; I'm not the least afraid of
him, nor of any one else, thank
heaven"
Still, I wouldn't be uncivil to him
if I was you, miss.
Il am not uncivil. What incivility
is there in my keeping within doors
when I am not inclined to go out? I
like my home, and am happy in it;
I love the liberty that I had lost and
have regained, and I will never again
run the risk of losing tat all
events, to the person you have in
your mind"
"Oh, lud! miss, I didn't mean that.
One may be reasonable kind to a
young man, l hope, without intend
ing to marry him"
mo doubt, but the person in ques-
ton is, in my opinion, a dangerous
one to deal with; if you give him an
inch he takes an ell, and any attempt
to conciliate him only conyinces him
that you are in his power. Now, 1
am not in his power, and never in
tend to be-
Very good, miss. I am sure 1
hope you never may be-"
May be? How can l be? What
do you mean"
Nothing, miss, nothing; only it's
never we'll to be positively certain
about anything, and especially, as
my poor old grandmother used to
say, who had seen better days,
though she died in the workus,
Don't boast"
Jeanette vas no traitress, but
from the first moment that Adair's
gold had touched her palm she had
become his we'll wisher; his contrast
Tin the way of openhandedness) to
Perry, and his obvious dislike to
him, had greatly recommended him
to the girl, who said to herself again