The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-07-22

a u of tea, and we got separated
somehow, and the next time l saw her
she was-well, we won't talk about
it. Couldn't have made your &C
quaintance at a better moment! And
now" added the colonel, with a SLY
chuckle at his own tact and penetra-
ton, II had better go back and tell
my sister where you are, Ell? You
take her somewhere for a good strong
cup Of tea, and that will put her all
right again. Sybil will tell you where
to find us afterward.'
And before either Ronald or Sybil
could say a word, the colonel had
gone off and left them together. Sybil
could stand and walk without assist
ance now, and was little the worse for
the shock. She drew away slightly
and stood looking at him under her
long eyelashes, as If she expected him
to speak.
"Sybil," said Campion, II suppose
I ought to say-Miss Elsworth-it's
not my fault that I'm forced upon you
in this way-you must admit that"
us it very painful for you?" she
said, half amused and half wistful.
Tell me what you wish me to do,
Sybil."
"You were told to take me some
where where there was tea" she said,
meekly.
A wild, incredulous JOY seized Cam
pion at her words, for he saw clearly
that, for some reason, she was angry
with him no longer.
And leaving the reunited pair at
this stage, the story must so back for
a few moments, Il only to account for
the colonel's singular complaisance.
He had only returned from India
within the last two days, and Mrs.
Standard had insisted upon his COM
ing with them that afternoon; she
had taken four seats, two of them at
some distance from the others, and
the fourth seat was to be occupied by
Lionel Babcock.
For the time had come, in her opin-
ion, when Babcock might propose to
Sybil with perfect confidence, and
Mrs. Standard, being an old lady who
liked her own ways even in details,
had arranged that her niece should be
won in the course of this particular
afternoon, and in some part of the
Agricultural Hall.
The colonel. was strictly enjoined
not to monopolize his daughter,
which, as he was growing fonder and
prouder of her every moment, he
thought hard. He had rejoiced great
ly to hear that Campion's engage
ment was broken off, less on account
of it's undesirability than of the OPP
portunity it left for making his
DAUGHTERS acquaintance before a
lover could step in between them
and now a fresh lover was at hand
already, and the colonel felt an in
jured man.
However, his sister was so ardent
in her advocacy Of Babcock, and dis
coursed so earnestly on the necessity
Of protecting Sybil from falling again
into Campion's clutches, that the
colonel yielded at last. IF you say
he's a good fellow" he conceded
well, I shall see him at this tourna-
ment affair, and then we can talk
about it,"
Presently Mrs. Standard saw her
brother coming along the chairs
beaming. Become of Sybil?" he
said, in answer to her inquiries; "oh,
it's all right, she's in good hands.
Whom should we meet downstairs
but this young Babcock, and re-
membered your orders-Hilary, and
it struck me, by Cad, they'd get on
better without a third party. Wasn't
that right, Ell? And I like the fell
low, I must say; he deserves her for
his pluck" And with this the colonel
told the incident of the gangway. If
she had fallen, nothing could have
saved either of 'em; it was touch and
go, by Cad! Think of losing my lit
tie Sybil just when-and in that
way!"
Horace, it's wonderful, a special
Providence, really, and you've done
quite the right thing! Lionel will
have something to tell us when he
comes back,
So in high good humor Mrs. Stani-
land watched the light cavalry, as
they made their horses lie down and
afford cover behind which they dis
charged their carbines, and her con-
tent lasted until she saw a we'll
gloved hand held out and Babcock,
deliberately attired, was standing over
against her chair.
"Well-is it all right" she asked,
anxiously.
"Oh, yes, thanks. Couldn't get
here, before, don't you know" He
mad delayed from policy, thinking it
we'll that Sybil should begin by miss
ing him, and unwise to appear too
eager.
To be Continued.