The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-06-30
CHAPTER XII.
Continued

"Anytnlng IN the WlQe WOrlQ, my
iarling."
well, then, let US leave here to-
morrow and 60 home. I want to be
at home, dear!"
Gervais hositated only for a mo-
ment; her We zee was SO sweet and
Nve laden.
$50 be it, my own; tomorrow we
will 60 home; but I am afraid we
shall disappoint the folk a little; re-
member mother told us they were Or
sanizing all sorts of festivities in the
shape Of a welcome to u.s."
"They shall have them all; but to
tell the honest truth, Gervais, I
sha'n't be sorry to miss the welcome
20 ourselves; / would rather steal
quietly into u home"
Enid had moved away to the win
dow, but she heard his impassioned
my own darling!" and saw him bend
and kiss the lovely, flushed face.
And you %consent?" laughed Dor
othy.
Can I refuse you anything?"
She clasped her hands.
II am so glad! Do you know, l
will confess to you both, I have been
longing to 90 for ever so long; but
you were so happy, I did not like to
be selfish and tear you away"
Gervais imprisoned her two hands
in his, and pressed his lips to them.
you will give your orders, as soon
rs possible, I suppose, my lady," he
said, smilingly. I'VE can travel with
your maid and one of the other men.
I shall leave Thompson behind to ar
range everything here"
Dorothy danced over to the other
side of the room and took up a Brad
shaw.
I'VE will go early" she declared,
about eleven. Here is a lovely train,
Ills, to town, and then we shall get
the express down, after some lunch
con in town"
The earl bent over her chair and
kissed her hair.
Splendid" he laughed. "Only we
Bha'n't 90 to London at all"
mot go to London!" repeated Dor
othy, blankly, and Enid saw her face
fall.
Certainly not. We are close to
Chaplain Junction, and shall get a
train direct through fraIi there. 1t
would be absurd to go to LONDON, my
darling"
"Oh, yes; absurd altogether"
Gervais pressed his lips to her hair
again; as he was standing behind her
be could not see the expression Of
her face.
Dorothy was thinking rapidly.
What excuse can I make?" she
unused, impatiently. IF I could only
be in London an hour tomorrow,
She turned over the pages of the
Bradshaw idly, and she thought yer
every possible means that could sue
coed, finding none. She suddenly
looked at Enid, and her heart leaped.
She shut the book hurriedly.
"Yes, you are right" she said, turn
ing her head to let her lips meet his
in a kiss. Chaplain will be the best.
Oh, I am so glad to go!"
The next morning, before Enid was
awake, Dorothy came into her room,
She was in her dressing gown, a long
robe of palest blue silk, and, with her
hair falling on her shoulders, looked
positively lovely. She stood by Ends
bedside.
Il want you to go to London for me
to-day" she said, abruptly.
Enid half raised herself on her pill
low and lifted her wonderful eyes
questioningly to the others face.
"You mean" she said, hurriedly,
that I am to go back to Mrs. Law
son's?"
Il meal nothing of the sort. It is
out of the question that you are to
go back to such a place. Gervais and
1 were only discussing your future
last night, and as I was appointed
your guardian by my fathers will, we
agree that your proper place is with
me- till you are of age or marry"
Ends face flushed.
Il prefer to be independent, " she
murmured.
Dorothy smiled coldly.
Perhaps so; only I object. AS the
law gives me power owe your move
ments, I wish you to live with me.
Besides, were I disposed to listen to
your wishes, Gervais would not per-
nit me-. But I did not come to dis
cuss that. I have something else to
say"
She stopped, and Enid waited, her
lips quivering just a little at the
cold, Indifferent tones.
She shrunk in a strange, indie
scribable way from taking up her
abode with the Earl and Countess of
Derriman, but she saw that it was
useless to argue just at present, and
that if she submitted for a time she
might probably get her own way and
be allowed to follow her artistic ca
reer.
Dorothy unfolded a strip of paper.
Il want you to go to London by the
Ills train. I have appointed Maria
to be your maid till I can engage a
better one. She will go with you,
and accompany you back to Bromley
Manor this afternoon. I can't spare
Virginie, or I would not ask you to do
this"
II am only too delighted to go.
dear Dorothy" Enid spoke quickly
and tr%uthfully.
Take a hanson and drive to all