The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-03-10

J of stains. And the men gathered
| round one side, upon which a tray
| with "the hot water" and a black bot
tie and a strange array of glasses,
big and little, had been placed. This
seemed the first thing thought Of in
the house; for Margaret, the big
woman servant Everything was big),
brought in the tray, pushing open the
door with it as she bore it in front of
her before the order had been given.
And presently the fumes Of the hot
"toddy" flled:the room, pungent and
strong, making Janet feel faint and
sick. The men flung themselves into
chairs, or stood about, filing the
other end of the room-a small,
rough, dark crowd with Tom in the
midst. They were all very kind" to
Tom, patting him on the shoulder,
addressing him by name, filling his
glass for him, while Janet, alone at
The end of the table, looked on
alarmed. The mistress was bringing
out from a cupboard cups and sau-
GERS, a basin Of sugar and other prep
arations for the tea.
1T would do the little miss far
more good to taste a glass o my
brew, and put some color into her
cheeks, said the master Of the house.
~Haud you tongue, goodman, and
leave the young lady to me. TAX
you care what you're about. You'll
get both yourself and other folk into
trouble if you dinna pay attention"
"Toots! a glass will harm nae
body" Blackmore said.
II want my sister to see that
mare" said Tom-"that mare, you
know, Blackmore, that you said you'd
keep for me. I want her to see the
stables. I told her all about you,
and that we were tremendous
friends"
@Ah, laddie!" said Blackmore, "the
sight of you brings many a thing
back. Many and many's the time
your father"
II told her So" said Tom, with his
glass in his hands. Heres to all Of
you. And I meal to stick to fathers
friends" ...H.. .f
TONI" cried Janet, with a start.
The smell of the whisky, the crowd
of men, the loud voices and sound of
their feet upon the floor, scarcely
deadened by the thin carpet, scared
her altogether. "Oh, Tom," she said,
I'm too tired to see anything. Let US
60 home-oh, let us go home!" and
overcome by excitement and con-
fusion, Janet began to cry
"My bonnie dawtie," said the mis-
tress, wait till We get your tea"
"Oh, let us get home" cried Janet;
ut will 500 be dark. I'm frightened
to ride after it is dark. All those
dreadful roads! Oh, Tom, let us get
home-oh, Tom, let US get home!"
Master Tom," said the mistress,
"it's true she says. It's not a fit for a
bit thing like her to be %galloping a.
those u~ncivilized roads in the dark.
Charlie shall put in ane Of the horses
in the dog-cart and drive her hame."
THAT will l." said Charlie" rising
with a great deal of noise. He was
the best looking of the young men,
and he put down his steaming glass
with alacrity. "Ill put in Spanker,
and she'll gang like the wind"
you'll have to be very canny with
her, for she's awful fresh" said an
other of the men.
Don't be a fool, JAM" cried the
boy; she'll ride home fast enough.
And I'm not going to have it; do you
hear, Charlie? What's the good Of
making a fuss? I'm not going to
have it," he cried, stamping his foot.
DO you want me to get into a row?
Why, I as good as gave my word"
He stopped short himself, and they
all paused; Janet, too, hastily chok-
ing the sob in her throat, gazed at
him with a startled look.
Maybe it was never to come back
here that We gave your word, Mr..
Tom," said Blackmore, rising up; II
would guess that by the looks of We.
Well, yell keep your word, my young
man; at least yell as near keep it as
is possible now. Charlie! out with
the CART, man! what are you wait
ing for? and take the young lady
hame. 1t was name of her own will,
that's clear, that brought her here.
Ye can say that if it was his fault, it's
clear that it was name of hers. Ye
had better take him on behint, and
we'll send the horses back the morn"
by Jove," shouted Tom, "IIl not
be taken on behind! I'll ride my own
horse or I'll not stir a step-and
catch me ever coming out with her
again!' he cried with a shout which
made the heart which was beating
so wildly in Janet's breast drop down,
down to her shoes. But when she
found herself in the dog-cart by
Charlie Blackmore's side, wrapped up
warm, and flying like the wind, be-
hind Madam Spanker, who was so
fresh, Janet's senses turned into a
consciousness of bien-etre which was
very novel and very sweet. She had
been persuaded to take the cup of
Tea. She had even eaten a bit Of
scone with fresh butter and MARINA
lade, which was very good. A warm
shawl was wrapped round her Shout
ders; and the delicious sensation Of
repose and warmth over her tired
limbs, while yet sweeping at so great
a pace over the country, with the