The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-07-07
XIV.
Her Fathers Pictures.

his friend.
"My darling" he said, as Dorothy
advanced gracefully from the dining
room into the hall to meet her guest,
my darling, let me present Dare
Broughton to you, the best of good
fellows and friends. Dare, my wife
Lady Derriman."
II am charmed to see you, MT
Broughton; I have heard SO much
about You from Gervais."
Dare Broughton bowed low over
her delicate hand.
He was a spare, dark, keen looking
man, distinguished rather than hand
some, but possessing great charm OF
manner, and being, moreover, a bit OF
a genius in his way. He was shrewd
and clear headed, and he summed up
Dorothy in one moment.
Beautiful as Venus, but without a
grain of real feeling or heart" he said
to himself, while he was chatting on
easily about his journey, the weather
and other conversational platitudes,
as Dorothy led the way to lunch. Then
his eyes fell on Enid, who was bend
ing wei one of the dogs, attending to
It's collar, as they all entered.
"By Jove!" he said to himself,
awhat a lovely child! And where
we're Derriman's eyes, I wonder, that
he did not choose this n instead OF
the otherc"
There was a tone in Dare's voice
that Dorothy did not quite under
stand.
ct don't like this man." she said to
herself.
Enid, on the other hand, was rath-
or attracted by the new arrival, and
when he began to tell of some Of his
travels and experiences she found
herself listening eagerly.
At the end Of luncheon Dorothy
rose.
II know you will excuse me, MIR.
Broughton. am going to write some
letters. Our post goes out so absurd
ly early. / hope you will not be
dreadfully bored, but I have taken
some precaution by asking a few in
teresting people down the end Of this
week"
II shall be perfectly content as I
am, I assure you, Lady Derriman;
but if the interesting people include
your charming mother-in-law among
their number 1 shall rejoice indeed.
There is no woman for whom I have
a more sincere admiration and liking
than for your mother, Gervais, old
fellow"
A flush Of pleasure rose to the
earl's face, and a bitter sensation of
jealousy ragged in Dorothy's breast.
AS they left the luncheon table and
Enid was moving away, Gervais
stopped her.
Shall we go to the picture gallery
now? Dare will like it, I know, and
think I am not wrong in saying that
be is a stanch admirer Of your IA
Tiers art"
"Leslie?" asked Broughton, quick
ly. What, Charles Leslie? That in
deed I am. And you are his daugh-
ter? Now All! that accounts for
your artistic face, I see."
Enid blushed a little.
The picture gallery at Bromley was
a series of odd rooms and passages,
quaint, old-fashioned, but scarcely
well suited to it's requirements.
Il don't know too much about art, "
Gervais declared, frankly; "but this
always seems to me to be a bad place
for the pictures; eh, Dare?"
1T certainly might be better in
respect of light, though the rooms
are pretty in themselves; but I say,
old fellow, who had the arranging Of
these portraits, I should like to
know"
Some person in my fathers life
time. Why, what's wrong?"
only that your best things, your
unique ones, are poked into corners,
and your too palpable copies hung
brusquely into the most prominent
places"
Gervais laughed.
We'll, change them ALL" he OBJ
served. II give you carte blanche"
Dare's thin, dark, interesting face
became almost handsome.
do you mean that?" he asked, and
then he knit his brow. But Lady
Derriman, how will she like this
plan?"
Dorothy will not object, lam sure;
but we will ask her, and then you will
be in your glory, Dare, I know"
Il think We shall enjoy ourselves, ~
confessed Mr.. Broughton.
I'VE? Do you imagine, oh, my
friend, that I am going to assist you.'
Certainly not; you would only be
in the way; it is Miss Leslie whose
services 1 mean to enlist!"
Enid colored with pleasure.
Il shall be delighted, but"-du-
biously-"I-I don't believe I could
lift one Of those pictures, Mr..
Broughton!"
Heaven forbid that 1 should ask
you! No, you are to bring your
easel here. if you will, and then give
me the benefit of your advice"
How 1 pity you, Miss Leslie,
Gervais laughed, feeling the sensation
Of pain and discomfort at his heart
melt beneath the CHEEKY warmth of
Broughton's g%eniality; you will be
kept a prisoner here for months. You
have undertaken a most desperate
job, Dare; pause and think before
YOU plunge into it."