The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-11-09

practice in the game If I am to be a
clergyman's wife, and a real infiu-
ence."
1t was a most Interesting drive.
Every one said SO. Even young Os-
good, later on in the interval, when
he was waiting on Lise in the supper
room, told her that he'd had his sus-
picions too; for the man was so much
like a roo that if he wasn't one he
could only have been a Duke.
What a rum business it has been,
hasn't it? And Miss Co3wheeis en-
gagement-that's queer. too. Do You
know, 1 always thought I had a
chance there. She seemed to think l
understood her so we'll, and she's new
err been really understood before. She
told me So
Lise laughed.
ooh, Harry" she said, what a
child you are! Does any n under
stand Audrey? We've all tried our
best, but she's still a beautiful mys-
terry. There's poor Nigel. He's LETT
his business entirely to Jack, so that
no possible chance of a holt
day now, and gone abroad to drown
his sorrows in the Mediterranean.
He's so wretched that he'll eat al
most anything without a murmur,
and he has never said a word about
the simple life since he heard the
news. I'm afraid he thinks he might
have won her if his habits a been
those of other men, and regret IS al
way so much harder to Bear than re-
morse, isn't it?'
Osgood laughed. Audrey, coming
I'D, caught Lise's last remark, and
put her own construction on it.
ooh, I hope she won't feel that
she said softly-'not remorse. One
doesn't want any of ones fellow
creatures to suffer. AS Percival said
at the time, Uneasy is the head that
wear a crown and I thought it such
an ant quotation when l heard that
Tormentila was really Lady AleXan-
dra Greenrose and Lord Malinder's
Youngest daughter, and that she was
to marry the Duke of Lavendale a.
most directly. I feel more pity tnan
ANYTHING else. She was an imDulsiVe,
misguided girl, Percival thinks, but
7 feel sure she acted for the best &C
cordine to her lights. One can only
feel sorrow if the lights proved to be
but dim and smoky, can one?'
"sbe was a dear, unselish child"
said Lise warmly, land very good
for all of us, especially Jack and me.
You treated her abominably, Au-
drey."
"You m~isjudge ne" Audrey
! turned away with a sigh as n
spoke-''and events prove that I was
quite right. But the thought of that
poor girl driven to make a marriage
! of convenience is the only blot on my
happiness. Of course, her parents in
sisted upon it, when Lady Doreen ran
! away. Arjstocratic parents are so
hard, so d~espotic, I always think.
Dearest I said to mother when l
heard the news. If you and father
! had d%isapproved of my engagement
I should have broken my heart and
mother said at once that their mt
wish was to see me happy-she did
really
But isn't it possible" Osgood
asked in surprise, with a ieeting
memory o. Tormentilla and John Ed
ward as he had seen them waiting
50 happily together in the narrow
lane for the tardy bridegroom elect.
that they are fond Of each othef!
They seemed very jolly together
81 think it's a love match" said
Lise with a quiet little smile, for she
alone knew the story of the Paradise
and the serpent who had swallowed
the key, but Audrey shook her head,
quite unconvinced. She stood there.
elegant and ethereal, with the lamp
light shining on her golden hair-a
spirit-eirl. Mr.. B:omsgrove said b
looked like a spirit
ooh, no." she said w~istfully; IN
novels perhaps-or ven on the stage,
but not in real life. How can a luke
x ect to be loved for himself aloEe?'
The End.