The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-02-03


I in all the borders. 1t was early in
July, the time when the floweAs are
at their sweetest. The air was full
of their delicate fragrance, yet not
too full, for there was a little warm
breeze which blew 1t rel the whole
country, away to the heather and
gorse on the Haslemere side, and
brought back faint echoes Of wilder
scents-the breath of the earth and
Of the moors. Janet had been roam
ing about, never without a glance
through the branches at the two fig
ures on the lawn. She was like one
Of the lilies at a distance, tall for
fourteen, though not tall for a full
grown woman; and thin, too, in the
angularity of her eye, though of a
square solid construction which con-
tradicted all previous symbols. She
had always an eye upon them wher-
ever she went. Nothing had changed
her spectator attitude, not ven the
development of many tender and loyal
feelings altogether unknown to the
outer world. So far as appeared out
| side, Janet was still the same steady
| champion of her brother that she
had been from her baby days, and
not much more. The pair who were
seated on the lawn were, as always,
conscious of the girls presence, which
was a certain restraint upon their
freedom. There was not between
them all the same Ease that generally
exists in a family. Though she was
quite out of hearing, they '\did not
even talk with perfect freedom.
When she had gone to bed, called by
the all-authoritative nurse, Of whom
even his mistress was a little afraid,
Beaufort drew a long breath He
had a sort of habitual tenderness for
Janet as a child who had grown up
| under his eyes, and was n of the
accessories Of daily life. But yet be
was never at his ease when she was
gone. How dark it Is getting?" he
said; "the light comes from the lilies,
not from the, day; and Janet's white
frock, now she has gone, has taken
a little away"
my poor little JANET" said Lady
Car. II wish I could think she would
be n of those who gave light"
Like the mother. 1t is q pity they
are so little like you, Garry. Both
the same type, and that s much in
ferior. But children are very per-
verse in their resemblances, as much
as in other things"
Nobody a say Janet is per-
verse;" said Lady Car, with that par
tial feeling which, though not enthu-
siastic itself, can bear no remarks
upon the children who are its vigor;
and then she went back to a more
interesting subject. Edward, in
that chapter you have just begun"
my dearest, let us throw all the
chapters to the winds. In this calm
and sweetness, what do we want with
those wretched little pictures? The
world, as far as we can see it, seems
all at peace"
But there Is trouble in it, Edward,
all the same-trouble to be set
right" $50. .....
mot much SO far as we can see.
There is nothing very>swrong in u
little town; every poor person. as
you ladies call them, has half a dozen
soft philanthropists after him to set
him right, and we don't see the town.
Look at all those dim lines of country,
Carry. What a breadth of them, and
no harm anywhere, the earth almost
as soft as the sky! Don't let us
think of anything, but only how
sweet it all is. I am glad that shrub
berry was cut away. I like to see over
half the world-which is what we are
doing-as far a IS eye can carry; 1t
comes to much the same. May I light
my c~igarette?"
Edward" she cried, ct is all
quite true. There is not much harm
just here; but think how much there
is in the world, how helpless the poor
people are, how little-how little
they can do. And what does it mat
ter that we all try a little in the
way Of charity? Right principles are
the only things that can set US all
right. I have heard you say a hun
dred times in the old days"
you have heard me say a great
deal Of nonsense in the old days"
WAS it all nonsense, them" cried
Lady Car-"all that was said and
thought there? There seemed so
many splendid things we could do;
set up a standard Of higher justice,
show a better way both to the poor
and the rich, and-other things. I
love the landscape and the sweet
evening, Edward, oh, so much! and
to sit and look at them with you, and
to feel all the peace around us, and
the quiet, and that there is no reason
why W. should not be happy; but
better than that I should love to see
you lift up that standard and show
the better way, you who can. do it,
you who understand all the prob
lens. That is what I wish; that is
what l have always wished-above
all, above ALL" she said, clasping her
hands. The affections of her sensi-
tive nature had come upon Carry.
She could not contain herself any
longer. II would rather even not
have been happy and seen you great
and doing great work." she said.
He stretched out his hand and took
hers, which he held and caressed