The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-02-12
CHAPTER VI.
Continued.


It was all very well asking Arthur
to come and set them all to rights
but not till they were together did
Tola realize the impossibility OF her
scheme. In her simplicity and utter
ignorance of all such matters, she
fancied Arthur had only to sc
straight to Colonel Curtis and tell
him that Janet loved him, and that he
must come back and find their father
in a favorable frame of mind; but
when Arthur explained to her how
entirely out of the question such a
proceeding would be, she shook her
head sorrowfully and thought what
an artificial world it was. The only
thing Arthur thought he could do
was to call on Colonel Curtis as if he
knew nothing about anything, and
then, if he wished to do so, he might
take the initiative.
Arthur's visit to the Grange turned
out an unlooked-for success. Colonel
Curtis received him not only with
pleasure, but with eagerness; this
one brother he had always cordially
liked, and he was unfeignedly glad to
see him. They talked of all sorts OF
Indifferent subjects until, with rather
a sinking heart, Arthur began to take
leave, when Colonel Curtis caught
down his hat to accompany him
homewards. The open air gave him
courage, and quite suddenly he began
showing, as he told the story of his
rejection, such an amount of trouble,
pain and modification, that Arthur
was compelled to perceive that his
father had been even more hasty and
unceremonious than Tola had told
him; and he felt little embarrassed
as to what he should say. Then his
frank and simple nature put it into
his head to place it all openly before
his companion. He spoke of his faith
er's difficulties, of the irritability al
most inevitably produced by cease
less worries. Colonel Curtis, appar-
emily, was too much hurt to respond
at once.
At last, after a good deal of round
about talking, Colonel Curtis came to
the point.
well, Denstone, he said, "you see
] cannot help feeling mortified at
having been sent about my business
in so summary manner; you see
What now, don't you?"
"Yes," said Arthur slowly, "of
course I see it. 1t was awfully un-
lucky, but"
"You have said quite enough" said
Colonel Curtis, rather loftily. "Of
course, can make allowances, and as
you have given me this opportunity of
talking it over with you I must con-
fess that my feelings towards your
sister are in no way changed by what
has occurred, and if you will guar
antee me more favorable reception
I should like to renew my suit" J
II am very sorry it should have
happened" said Arthur, cordially;
."and I am sure that no one would be
more sorry than my father to think
that he had given you pain"
Really, people should be little
cassfnl what they say" .,
"Of course they should" assented
Arthur, thinking how very difficult
it was to smooth such ruf1ed plumes.
swell, then, let US arrange a time. "
Colonel Curtis looked at his watch.
"There is time now," he said, with
the first eager look Arthur had seen
on his face. II should like to be re-
lieved from my suspense"
And these words reassured Arthur,
as he perceived that the gallant gen
tleman's self-confidence was shaken,
and that he was not 80 perfectly sure
of Janet as he had been before.
! mot now" he said, decidedly. 81
should like to speak to my father
first. Come Tomorrow.
Il will be with you at 10. Thank
you, Arthur. Indeed, you have acted
the part of true friend.
Il could not have stood repeating
what had occurred to any one but
yourself. Good-by till tomorrow at
TO-" and Colonel Curtis went off quite
lightly and gaily.
Arthur returned home in similar
state of mind and had a private con-
sultation with Tola as to. how to ar
range Tomorrow visit of the Colonel
so that there should be no bitches.
1t was of need that Mr.. Denstone was
to be kept in good humor and the
children hidden out of sight. This
ives so successfully done that by the
evening of the next day Janet was
betrothed to Colonel Curtis with her
fathers full consent.