The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-29
ABBINGTON-By Henry C. Rowland

feel ye know, I'd be no end of a cad. It's painful I'll allow, but the-eh--your father
 won't last much longer. If he hadn't
 been so bewildered today would have done for him.
 The heavy foot of the elder Drayton be- ing heard at that moment, the topic was discontinued.
 The Earl of Abbington arose the follow | ing morning with the full determination l to bring the Intensely unpleasant situa- j, ton to a close before the lapse of another l day. On entering the breakfast room the l curt nod and brief word of greeting which
 he received from his host, whose wounds had festered over night, convinced him | that this would not prove difficult. | Breakfast passing without undue hilar- l ity, .Abbington and his father-in-law elect l lighted cigars and strolled out upon the | lawn.
 l As they stepped clear of the veranda 1 Abbington happened to catch sight of l Eleanor at an open window above. With | gesture of impatlence he threw aside his newlys lighted cigar, one of a brand on | which his host particularly prided him | self.
 'I say, Eleanorl' he replied, just fetch | me down my pipe and tobacco pouch when you come, will you? You'll find 1 them on the table in the library!" MT Drayton sthed with difficulty sud uen snort or rage. Don't you like that cigar, Mordaunt?' he asked in voice that was trihe l thick.
 "Why-er-I-er-Yes yes, very much" l replied Abbington in the tone of one de- | termined to be polite no matter what the | cost to his veracity But I'm rather
 used to pipe, you know The blood rushed to MT. Drayton's face, | but he stifed his anger with an effort l a Iad he m a l from the house to where slight emi- | hence afforded an extended view of the
 surrounding landscape. | ! As he gazed out across the smiling pros l peet the vexaton faded from the face of 1 the proprietor, and with an expression of complacent pride he turned to his l companion.
 Just cast your eye over that, Nor | daunt," he exclaimed. "Did you ever sec l anything handsomer?" The chin of the Englishman was slight ly elevated as, with a deliberate and crit ical calmness that came near to wreck ing the nervous system of his host he
 slowly surveyed the panorama before
 him.
 "Well?" demanded MT. Drayton unable to contain himself longer. "Awfuly jolly view" drawled Abbing-
 ton, languidly. Might almost be Eng
 land, you know, if it wasn't for those frame houses. That donkey cart goin' along the road Is not half bad ye know reminds me of home, rather MT Drayton turned and gave his guest one look of unutterable disgust, then made for the house without a word. Abbington extracted a cigarette from his case and gazed after him regretfully, then strolled slowly down in the direction of the river. Arrived at its edge, he seat ed himself sadly upon a stone fanpU that fetched nim!' he unused I to himself.
 | A rustic in the bushes close at hand l caused him to look around expectantly l and his eyes fell upon Algernon, who was
 walking swiftly toward him. The boys face was bloodless and both hands were /, clinched.
 "Hullow remarked Abbngton, rising to 1 his feet What's up, Algy?' The boy did not answer, but stood fac- l ing him, his lips twitching and curious | glitter in his eyes. I q followed you down here" began l Algernon, with an odd quiver in his voice, Ito tell you just what think of you you mean, underbred hound!" Abbington coored more In surprise than anger.
 "Well?" he asked quietly. "I know that you are my guest, and all of that" continued the boy, his voice breaking he proceeded. But since you have dlsregarded the fact l don't see why I shouldn't Why can't you stay in your own country, where you belong, he went on passionately, instead of com ing over here to break m sisters heart.' "What?" exclaimed Abbngton. You know what l mean, you mean spirited pupi You've made love to her. and got engaged to her, and now you're tired of her and want to break the whole
 thing off. Oh. you need't stare-you've
 made 1t plain enough" Abbington's jaw fell at this new phase of the comedy, and he stood the picture of confessed and embarrassed guilt. The sight of him seemed to infuriate the boy.
 "Ill teach you, you scoundrelv' he ] ragged, and before Abblngton could guess