The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-10-26

worthtur man. And I resolved"
Michael cried triumphantly, "to show
him that that, at least, was impossl'
BILE"
Did he say anything else?" Tor
mentilla asked in bewildered tones
YES" said the young man; me
| did. He said that if we didn't give
I'D this mad idea, he should feel
| obliged to take steps himself; but as
he appeared to think Of it all as hap
pening some time in the dim future,
his threat did not trouble me. But
you see now that I am at least heart
and soul with the rest of you in this
affair"
John Edward said grimly that he
was glad of that, and they'd better
start at once If they were to get there
by midday. And he and Tormentilla
discussed in wondering tones the eX-
tr%aordinary attitude of the happy
groom. Tormentilla said she had
| never seen him so cheerful shrdluu
| never seer him so cheerful since she
had known him, and wasn't it a good
sign? And John Edward admitted
that it might be if he'd been sure that
the youth was quite sane.
81 wonder what he's taken to keep
his spirits 'up?" said he, but there he
wronged Michael, who had break
tasted on charred toast and innocent
Chinese tea.
They gave the Rosinante her head
whenever they dared, and flew along
the white roads with the wind ringing
in their ears, and the sun shining on
the blue canal over the hedge, and
| ~Tormentilla's heart danced, because
it was such a glorious day, and be-
cause she was sitting beside the only
person in the world who really mat
tered. The fact that it was probably
for the last time was a sting, but only
the subtle kind of sting which shows
up the sweetness of the hour and
makes it sweeter. Her brown eyes
| shone and her cheeks grew pink, she
laughed at everything, and enjoyed it
| all, and the minutes flew with the
miles, and hours with the minutes,
until it was half-past twelve and
they were on the outskirts of Falling
fleet. They were to meet Audrey and
Lise outside the railway station, and
then lunch at the Unicorn" and be
at the church at two o'clock. Lise
was to take Tormentilla back in her
ar, John Edward to return to Lon
don by train. 1t was beautifully ar
ranged. Michael turned around and
| smiled over his shoulder at them as
they whizzed through the neat little
| suburbs Of the town and drew up out
side the railway station. Yes, there
was Standings car. And the girls?
Tormentilla jumped out and ran
onto the platform. A tall figure in a
light greeny-gray coat came swiftly
down to meet her. 1t was Lise-
alone. Her eyes we're full of angry
tears, and a bright red patch burnt
either cheek, but Tormentilla, gay
and excited, did not notice this.
Where is the lovely bride?" said
she, with an innocent little giggle
and a wide, jolly grin.
Lise caught her by the arm and
hurried her out to the others. She
bowed absently to John Edward, who
was never an imposing figure, and
held out her hand to Michael with
an indignant little sound.
"I'm so sorry" she said. II did my
best. Indeed, 1 did my best"
whats the matter?" Tormentilla
asked quickly, all her worst fears
once more awakened. ooh dear, do
tell me what the matter isl"
81 couldn't stop herr" Lise cried
wildly. II used every argument I
could think Of. The whole sta ion
must have thought us mad. I lost
my temper much, much more tho
oughly than I ever lost it before, aid
nothing moved her"
Audrey I said, you've burnt
your boats and must go through with
IL. Anu SuS Sdlu SIG uOI SiShSo
anything yet, and wasn't going to-"
But what's she done?"
"I thought something was wrong,
when I found there was no luggage
in the car, and when she said she'd
made other arrangements I supposed
she'd sent it on by rail in advance to
save trouble and make it lighter for
the car. I little knew"
we don't know anything yet"
John Edward suggested politely. He
wondered if he and Tormentilla had
become hopelessly entangled with a
party of escaped lunatics.
Tormentilla caught Lise by both
arms and gave her a little shake.
II can't bear it any longer!" she
cried. '"What did Audrey do?"
"She went home by the twelve
o'clock train"-Lise dropped her
hands despairingly - with Mr..