The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-01

roses. A white-haired lady OF ma.
jestic presence was writing letters at
a Chippendale desk in an alcore.
Doris, stylish and fair, in a tailor suiS
and Virot hat which Jacqueline had
sent her from Paris, made known her
errand.
81 am Mrs. st. George" said the
white-haired dame, land the invalid
child is my grandson. Name your
qualifications and references"
Doris mentioned the Wingates and
the clergyman who had long minis
tered to her in spiritual things. AS
for qualifications, she confessed that
she was without experience.
But 1 dearly love children" she
added, sweetly, land perhaps this fact
may count with you" -,
1T does. l will tell you frankly
that my grandson has exhausted the
resources of the household, and COM
PEELED me to call for outside assist
ance. 1t will be we'll to take you at
once to the nursery. With Basil
much depends upon first impress
sions."
She pushed aside a portiere Of
bronze-colored silk, embroidered with
q long flight of golden storks, and
conducted Doris up a splendid carved
stairway, lighted by a stained glass
window. AS they reached a door at
the top an appalling din reached their
ears-shrieks and yells, the noise of
things hurled right and left.
Basil is at his usual gamsols!"
groaned Mrs. st. George.
She pushed back the door, and the
two stepped into a handsome, sun
lit nursery. The cries ceased alb
ruptly, and a furious, fantastic little
object, that was flying round the
room like a top gone mad, came to a
sudden halt in the centre of the floor.
Doris saw a child of six or seven
years, diminutive in body, and with
a cruel hump between his shoulders,
which shortened still further his
stature. He was dressed in black
velvet, and over his point-lace collar
fell a crop of thick faxen curls that
half concealed his deformity. His
face was a long oval, deadly pale, and
with little of the childhood in it, say
the big violet eyes, beautifully set
under well-arched brows. At the en-.
trance Of Mrs. st. George and Doris
the child stared and frowned, and a
white-capped woman who had been
pursuing him with a vial and spoon
in hand uttered an exclamation Of
relief. -
What is the matter, nurse?" said
Mrs. st. George, YEARLY.
Master Basil will not take his
medicine, answered nurse, in a voice
of despair. "I've been coaxing him
this half hour" .'
PRAY for more patience. Nobody
e conquered this child in a half
hour" .t " .
But I'm black and blue with the
kicks he's given me, ma'am. He does
nothing but screech for his papa"
Mrs. st. George turned to Doris.
Unfortunately, Basil's father is
out Of the city at present, and, in con-
sequence, our tasks here are harder
than usual" She extended her fine
lady-hands to the deformed boy.
"Fie! you are behaving very badly,
my poor BASIL" she said, in a
plaintiye tone. you quite break my
heart! Sometimes I ask myself:
Why should medicine be given you?
Why should We try so hard to keep
you alive, poor dear?' Come, now.
speak to this lady, who is waiting to
make your acquaintance. -
Basil, looking like an enraged COB
lin, his faxen curls d%ishevelled, his
whole misshapen body breathing
wrath and defiance, scowled and an
swered:
who is she?"
Doris secured vial and spoon, and
smiling her sweetest, said: -,
Take your medicine, and I will
tell you who I am and why I am
here"
She was hardly more than-a child
herself, and the charm of her face
and manner seemed to move the boy.
His little, pinched c~ountenance ex-
pressed sudden curiosity. Doris drew
nearer to him, softly persuasive, and
in a twinkling the medicine was
poured and the child had swallowed
it. ~"t ''
well done!" said Mrs. st. George,
feebly. you have scored the first
victory that has been won over Basil
since my sons departure. George
ought-yes, he really ought-to carry
the child with him wherever he goes,
for Basil loves nothing on earth but
his father. Miss Hatton, my nerves
are weak, and I confess my grandson
quite frightens me. I will now leave
you to cultivate his acquaintance.
You will find me in the room below
stairs"
To be Continued.