The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-10-13
: The Wooing Of Victoria
By BARBARA CARUS.YILS0N.

daughter meaningly.
Every we'll, mother"
Victoria spoke quite unconcerned-
ly. She was accustomed to Lord
Scarsleigh's visits, and they did not
interest her in the least. Besides,
her mind was extremely busy over
other matters just now.
She went on quietly with her en-
broidery without eve looking up.
HE remarked this morning hat
your color was pretty and natural
looking"
Every kind of him, I'm sure"
Victoria was still e%ngrossed in her
fancy work. Her own private affairs
were reaching a crisis.
Mrs. Winstanley put up her lor-
gnettes and surveyed her daughter
critically.
"He seems to have a curious preju-
dice against anything in the way OF
what he calls 'make-up;' I have heard
him talk of other girls. I wish, love,
you would run upstairs and wipe the
powder off your face before he comes.
It might make him suspicious of your
coloring.
Victoria hesitated. She had had to
return from her morning trysting
place in rather a hurry lest she
should be late for luncheon, and was
hot and tired. It was two flights of
stairs up to her bedroom, and her
-~- Lel ~,olo hor ,,ca nNu-Hnr
since she was seventeen, and always
told her she looked unfinished and
gauche without it. An expression of
mild annoyance crossed her pretty
face.
Don't you think you had better
take the same precaution?"
Don't be rude, Victoria"
Victoria's slim figure rose, and a
smile quickly replaced the frown. 1t
had suddenly occurred to her that
LORD Scarsleigh's frequent visits
might help to expedite her W little
plans.
Every we'll, mumnie, I'll do my
best to make your environment all
that his lordship would approve Of"
Lord Scarsleigh had arrived when
she reached the drawing room again.
He was an elderly man, tall, with a
military aspect. He sat down near
Victoria and watched her and played
with his mustache.
Her mother was at the other side
and talked gayly to him across her.
"I suppose you will oon be leav-
ing town now. London is beginning
to get a cheap, secondhand appear
ance that is quite unpleasant; isn't
It? The best people are all going"
"I-er-hadn't noticed it,"
ooh, everybody is making their
plans for the autumn now. Next week
sees the last Of the opera. I saw dear
Lady Flora this morning; she is just
off to Cowes."
Mrs. Winstanley leaned back and
famed herself pensively. 1t was
rather fatiguing making all the con-
versation this hot afternoon.
Lord Scarsleigh left off lingering
ois mustache for a few seconds.
"Does-er-Miss Winstanley like
yachting?"
Intensely"
Victoria started slightly. Her
mother must surely have forgotten
what a pitiful sailor she was and how
she loathed the water, but she re-
strained an exclamation and went on
quietly with her embroidery. She
did not wish to spoil any n else's
plans.
THE sea has a great fascination
for US BOTH" Mrs. Winstanley added
serenely. my dear father was an
admiral. No doubt Victoria and l
inherit it from him"
81 have a yacht"
"How delightful! 1t has always
been n of the dreams of my life to
people are"
Mrs. Winstanley sighed softly and
waited expectantly.
His lordship's next remark was not
quite what she hoped for, but it con-
tanned latent possibilities.
l Will ud'c IL pdlulSO.
Tea was brought up and other call
ers arrived. Lord Scarsleigh prompt
ly departed, but graciously signifed
his intention of coming again the fol-
lowing afternoon.
When Mrs. Winstanley told Vic
toria they must stay at home again
she was as much annoyed as such an
amiable, well-brought-up girl could
be.
But surely I need not stay, too"
Nonsense! Of course you must"
But, mother. it's very tiresome.
promised to go to tea with Mary
Lester. How long is this going on?
I shall be glad when something is set
tied"
so shall l." returned her mother
fervently.
The next afternoon Lord Scarsleigh
sat at one side of Victoria again and
fondled his mustache and watched
her pretty head bending over her en-
broidery, and Mrs. Winstanley sat at
the other and talked to him.
She did not sew; she leaned back
and waved a fan gracefully to and
fro and wondered what she could do
to expedite matters.
Are you going abroad for the win
teri" she asked pleasantly.