The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-01-22
CHAPTER II.
Continued.

Continued.
It is true that Mrs. Denstona had
been a cook; that she had first en-
tered her present husbands service
by means of an advertisement, in
which she described herself as pro-
fessional cook equal to any emer-
gency. Before her arrival, Mr.. Den
stone had been the prey of his SER
wants: he had never known any COM
fort or security. But her adventse-
cured these. She made him COM
Portable, she fed him admirably, she
nursed him kindly through a bad
attack of gout, and finally, when,
moved by these excellent considera-
tions, he proposed to her, she accept
ed hfmwith her usual stately courtesy,
and she had never for one moment
caused him to repent having, done so.
Mr.. Denstone had one sister, mar
lied to a clergyman in Westmoreland,
a Mr.. Descourt. This lady, in hopes
of stopping so degrading marriage,
arrived in Liverpool by express, and
poured out the vials of her wrath
on poor Betsy's head. Her words
were unjustifiable, and it was much
to Betsy's credit that she held her
tongue and never told her husband.
In contrast to this was the conduct
of Mrs. Denstone, of Denstone Court
She and her husband even came to
the wedding. She was very kind to
Betsy, even aiding her in selecting
the dark color of her wedding gown,
in preference to the brilliant mauve
which made her healthy apple cheeks
magenta in hue. To this gentle,
little, careworn woman Betsy owed
much useful advice and much help,
and she looked upon her with an
amount of gratitude that was almost
worship. She it was who persuaded
her husband to send Reginald to OK
ford. She longed to do something for
her nephews; but Mr.. Denstone would
not hear of adopting one straight of,
which was the desire of her heart.
He knew his brothers weak and help
less character; he wished to test the
sons, determined that only to one
that possessed his own qualities of
strength and perseverance would he
extend his patronage. From this de-
termination arose the offer of the
clerkship in the Liverpool house, and
when it was announced that Reginald
was coming to Queen Anne's Square
on a visit, good Mrs. Alfred Den
stones heart beat high with hope
and expectation.
The disappointment was proper
tionately great. Reggie was too
much of a gentleman not to be per-
fectly courteous to her, but he treat
ed her with overmuch ceremony.
To his uncle he was lofty, clearly
showing that he considered the
offered post as unworthy of his
mightiness.
The visit was altogether failure.
Reggie was not pressed to stay on,
and his return home was speedily fol-
lowed by the letter to his father,
which had so changed the course of
events.
Both uncle and aunt came forward
to meet Arthur, and both were aston
ished They had formed no great
expectations, but this tall, handsome,
fair, blue-eyed young man was a
great surprise to them.
Not Arthur Denstone?" said Mr..
Denstone, with emphasis.
Yes, Uncle Alfred, myself" he
answered, blushing ingenuously;
and is this my Aunt Betsy" And
coming forward, he stopped to kiss
her.
She was SO astonished she quite
trembled with pleasure and surprise,
but answered his kiss warmly. "My
dear boy!" she said.
She would never have said that to
Reginald, and he never called her
@Aunt Betsy" only with polite care,
Mrs. Alfred Denstone.
Mr.. Denstone brought his nephew
forward and introduced him to the
other guest.
my Nephew Arthur-Monsieus
Rigaud," and Arthur bowed rather
shyly.
Dinner was announced. IIe was
desired not to dress, and obtaining
permission merely 10 wash his hands,
they went in to dinner without wait
ing for him.
The soup had just been removed
when Arthur glided into his place,
and allowed hims If to look round
on the company in which he found
himself. His heart warmed to his
uncle at once. There was something
honest and strong and straightfor-
ward in his look and manner of bear
ing himself. Aunt Betsy, dressed in
black velvet, and wearing a cap of
old point lace, looked very comforta
BILE and prosperous, and Arthur liked
her apple cheeks and did not think
them a bit vulgar.
At dinner Mr.. Denstone hardly
spoke to Arthur. He belonged to the
old-fashioned school, and held a be-
lief firmly enough that youth was
made to listen, not to talk, but to
learn; and Arthur was interested in
listening to the conversstjon-os~e.sscc r.
two elders. Monsieur Rigaud excited
his curiosity. He was an old man,
or at all events he looked old, eX-
traordinarily thin, so thin that the
skin stretched over his forehead
looked like firmly drawn, yellow
parchment. His face was small and
narrow, he had blue eyes oyerhung