The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-07-07
XIV.
Face in the Bushes

Dare and Enid were at work on the
pictures. She took up a buster me-
chanically and brushed away the dirt
from a priceless Meissonier that Lady
Derriman had purchased a year or so
ago, and which the steward had poked
away in a corner, half hidden by
larger and more gaudy companions.
Dare looked at her with eyes that
were full of admiration.
She made him think Of purer
things. There was al indescribable
atmosphere of goodness about Enid
that to a man like this was marvel
ously sweet and rare. She was so
different from the shallow, brilliant
butterfly whom the world adored. He
saw in her everything that was need
ed; a simple yet intellectual mind,
a gentle, refined, sympathetic nature,
yet brave and strong when courage
was called for, and again he won
dered that Gervais could have hesitat-
ed between his choice of this girl and
Dorothy.
A faint cloud of something like dis
like and doubt always came over his
face as he thought Of young Lady
Derriman, and he tried to like her
honestly for Gervais' sake, but the
friendly feeling would not come at
his bidding, and little by little con-
tempt and disappointment rose al
most against his will-contempt for
Dorothy's selfish, mean, narrow ma
ture, disappointment for the man
whose eyes were yet blinded to her
true character.
"Ah, it will go hard with Gervais
when the moment comes that heralds
the departure of illusion and plants
solid, uncompromising fact instead"
he said, in an odd, musing kind Of
way
Enid started; his words matched
her thoughts, but she was loyal to
Dorothy; she would not even let him
know she understood him.
Must happiness always be called
illusion, Mr.. Broughton?" she said,
with a smile.
such a fools paradise of happi-
ness as Geryais lives in now-yes."
was his answer
Enid was silent again.
Dare Broughton respected her 81
lence and understood the expressions
that fitted across her face with an
ease that would have surprised Enid
had she guessed it. Presently he
said:
II have Just finished for to-day; I
don't mean to keep you up here an
other moment. You should go into
the grounds and have a brisk walk
before dinner"
"Will you come with me?" Enid
asked, shyly. II suppose it is very
unorthodox, but if you will come, Mr..
Broughton-"
Dare flung down his busting brush.
II will meet you in the hall in two
minutes. We shall have time for a
splendid scamper and get a. appetite
into the bargain"
AS Enid went rapidly to her room
she heard the sound of several voices,
and looking over the gallery that ran
round the large hall, she saw Dorothy
arrive with her two lady guests.
She did not feel inclined to meet
them yet, and when she had put on a
hat and coat she chose to run down a
side staircase that led into the
grounds, thence she could find her
way on to the colonnade, and as soon
as Dare made his appearance she
could signal to him, and so escape be-
ing caught and drawn into the draw
ing room.
1t had been a close, muggy day,
and the evening was terribly hot and
oppressive.
Enid loosened her coat as she
walked up to the front entrance. She
had to pass through a side walk bor-
dered by low, thickly growing shrubs,
and as she went OF she was startled
by seeing a mans face peer out in the
cleaning for an instant, then, as she
uttered an exclamation Of surprise
and fear, it disappeared, and she
heard sounds of some person moving
rapidly away.
Her heart beat n~ervously, and she
hurried on with a disagreeable SEN
sation hanging over her till she
reached the colonnade, and then she
felt annoyed at herself.
ut was one of the keepers, of
course" she said, speaking out loud,
and she looked across in the direc-
ton Of the path she had just come,
and where the man must have gone,
but she could see no one.
She soon forgot all about the Incl
dent as she heard Dare Broughton's
whistle and moved toward him.
Il came out here to escape an in
PRODUCTION just yet" she explained,
as she saw that he was surprised to
see her, and had sauntered to the
door to wait for her.
81 gave you at least half an hour
to attire" he answered, land you are
down already, Miss Leslie. Certainly
you are not al ordinary young wom-
an. BY the bye, 1 hope you don't
mind being called a young woman"
Enid laughed outright.
considering l am one, I really
don't see why I should, Mr.. Brough-
ton," said she.
And then they started for their
walk, and a very pleasant one they
had too only turning hanl ubon tho
dressing gong sounded generously in