The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-03-24

active ventures. He liked her better
almost upon her sofa, or taking a
quiet walk through the garden lean
Ing upon his arm, her wishes all con-
fined within that peaceful Enclosure,
happy to watch the moon rise and the
sun set,. and apparently caring for
nothing more. He talked to her OF
the light and shade, the breadth OF
the quiet soft landscape, the stars IN
the sky, or about the new books, anu
sometimes what was going on-very-
thing he could have said. They were
spectators of the uneasy world, which
rolled on as IL they were outside OF
It in some little paradise Of their own,
watching how men play FRANKS be-
fore high heaven as make the angels
weep" He was fond of commenting
on all that, on the futility of effort,
on the way in which people flung
themselves against the Impossible,
trying to do what no man could ever
do, to affect the movement of the
spheres. He would smile at states
men and philanthropists, and all
kinds of restless people, from his
little throne on the lawn, looking out
over the peacefullandscape. And Lady
Car would respond with a smile, with
a glance that often fingered upon
him as he talked, and in which he
sometimes felt there was something
which. he did not quite understand.
But what should that be-something
that he did not understand? He I'M
derstood most things, and talked
beautifully. He was the most perfect
gentleman; his every tone, his every
thought was full Of refinement. And
Lady Car was we'll pleased, who could
doubt, to lie back in her deep chair
and listen. What happiness could a
woman-a woman no longer young,
not in very good health, an idealist, a
minor poet-what could she desire
more?.
There came, however, a time when
the claims of the Towers could no
longer be ignored. Tom came OF age,
and Lady Car could no longer combat
the necessity Of going back to hold
the necessary festivities and put him
in possession of his lands and his
home. Tom had come altogether to
blows with his college and all its
functionaries by this time, and had
been requested to remove himself
from the university in a somewhat
hasty manner, which he declared
loudly was. very good fun, but did not
perhaps in his secret heart enjoy the
joke Of SO much as he made appear,
for he had a great deal of that Scotch
pride which cannot bear to fall, even
when he had done everything to bring
the catastrophe about. He had not
met with many reproaches at home,
for Lady Car was so convinced Of the
great futility of her own e%xertions,
that, save for the "Oh, Toni" with
which he was received, and the tear
which made her eyes more lucid than
normal, ,;she made no demonstration
at all of her distress. Beaufort looked
very grave, but took little notice. 1T
was evident that this must have come
sooner or later" he said colby with
a tone in which Tom read contempt.
why did YOU send me there" the
young man cried, reddening sullenly,
IF you knew that this was what
must Gomez"
II suppose your mother sent you
because it IS considered necessary for
a gentleman" said Beaufort.
And I suppose you mean I'm not
one," cried Tom.z =
%"I never said So" his stepfather
answered coldly. Janet seized upon
her brothers arm and drew him
away.
"Oh, what is the good Of quarrel
ling with Beau? Did you expect no.
body was to say a word?" cried Janet.
well, said Tom, they can't pre-
vent me coming of age next year.
whatever they do, and then I should
like to know who will have any right
to say a word?"
Mother will always have q right.
to say whatever she pleases, Tom"
"Oh, mother!" he said. Janet
shook him by the arm she held. She
cried passionately-
II wouldn't if it had been me. Z
shouldn't have let anyone say that
what was needed for a gentleman
was too much for me. oh, I would
have died sconer!" Janet said.
He shook her off with a muttered
OATH Much you know about gen.
tlemen-or ladies either. I know
something of you that if I were to tell
mother"
WHAT" Janet cried, almost with
4 shrek.
"Oh, 1 know-and if you don't. sing
very small I'll tell; but, mind, I'll
not say Oh, dear! like mother. I'll
turn you out of house and home If
you carry on with any fellow when
you're with me-"
To be Continued.
yyrI,.-s xLo Carp,op T,orr,,ona Conrac