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

kind; almost more kind than ever.
But she could not look at him any
more (she said to herself) than she
could look at the sun shining. He
was leaning down toward her from
his big horse, and Janet felt'very IN
comfortable, confused and distressed.
"Oh, but you must not" she said
mot keep her for me. 1t is very
kind, and 1 will eve forget it, to
let me ride her-and she rs a de-
lightful pony. But I could not take
her as a present, I'could not buy her,
and you must just-you must just
never mind, for I cannot help it. Oh,
I am afraid it has been all wrong"
cried Janet, though she could not tell
why.
Not "a Bit" said Charlie Black
more. Its been the happiest time
I've had all my life, and if you will
never forget, as you say"
How should T forget?" said Janet.
"You have been so very kind, and
she is the most delightful pony I ever
saw. But please let us go home now,
for they will be sure to miss me, and
everything is in a confusion, for it is
our last day"
That's just the very reason why
I would like. to keep you a little
longer" said Charlie; "for what am
I to do after you're gone? I will just
wait and think it a long time till you
come back. It's a long, long time
till next year, and I'm feared you'll
never think more Of me, or the pony,
when you're gone"
"Oh, yes, I will, indeed I will"
said Janet. "Oh, Mr.. Charlie, let us
go back. lam afraid somebody will
see us-and mother will be vexed."
"Well, if it must be so-here we
are at the little gate," he said, with
a sigh. He got off his horse and
fastened it, then lifted her off the
pony. What are We going to give
me for my hire?" he said, holding her
for a moment. eve been a good
groom to ye. Just a kiss for my
pains before you CO."
"Oh!" cried Janet, wrenching her
self away. Fright, and shame, and
anger gave her wings. She darted in
at the little gate which gave access to
a sidepath toward the back Of the
house, and fed without ever looking
back. But she had not gone far
when she ran full upon Beaufort, who
was going TRANQUILITY along across the
park, just where the path debouched.
She was upon him before either Of
them perceived. Janet was flushed
with shame and terror, and her eyes
full of tears. She gave a cry of
alarm when she saw who it was.
Janet! What's the matter? You
look as if something had happened"
"Oh!" she cried, with a long
breath. Its nothing wrong, Beau.
1 was only frightened"
"Who frightened you?" he said.
Whats the matter? Why, child,
you are trembling all ove Are you
running from .%anyone?"
"No-no!" said Janet, drawing
herself away from his observation
and it flashed into her guilty mind
that she had passed some cows peace
fully grazing. 81 was frightened
for the cows she said.
THE cows" It was greatly in
Eeaufort's way that he was too much
a gentleman to be able to suggest to
anyone, especially a lady, that what
she said was not true. He said, with
some severity, Il did not know you
were so nervous. You had better go
at once to your mother. She has
been looking for you everywhere"
He took off his hat in a grave way,
which made Janet more ashamed
than ever, and went on without even
looking back. She threw herself
down on the grass when he was out
of sight, and cried in a wild tumult
and passion which she herself did
not understand. Beau did not be-
lieye her. What did he think? What
would he say? But this was not
what made Janet cry.
Mr.. Beaufort walked on startled to
the gate, and when he emerged upon
the road he saw someone riding off
in the distance, a tall figure on a tall
horse, which he thought he recog-
nized; for Charlie Blackmore was a
very we'll known figure. The horse
man was leading a pony with a lady's
saddle Beaufort did not put two
and two together, being too much be-
wildered by the suggestion of some
thing mysterious that darted through
his mind But he shook his head as
he walked along, and said Poor
Carry!" under his breath.
But Lady Car did not see Janet till
she had bathed her eyes and Gained
herself down. She had not, however,
quite effaced the traces of her agita-
ton. Her mother called her to come
to her, and put an arm around her.
Janet, I can see you have been cry
Ing. Is 1t because you are sorry to
go away?"
Yes, mother" said Janet, trem-
bling.
1T is very strange" said Lady
Car, and l am glad. Oh, l wish we
could feel alike, dear, you and I. l
used to think a girl would always fol-
low her mother. The boy might take
his own way, but the girl Why
are you so fond of the Towers, DEAR"
Janet trembled, for she was not
thinking of the Towers, nor was she
sorry, but only startled and fright
ened and confused. But she dared