The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-06-01
II.
Continued.

L knew 1t was all right from TIT
first" she said; "but slippers arr
not comfortable for walking, and CABS
are not really improper. When you
ordered chocolate I realized how safe
you we're to champion luckless dam
sells; but when you did not tip the
waiter I understood the whole thing
Poor fellow! He looked so surprised
We must go back some day and make
It up to him. Only you ought tt
have told me at first, and we could
have talked it over comfortably. Mer
are so foolish"
Sheer surprise kept me silent, ant
as she pushed back the lap-robe
got out and stood at the door of the
brougham, trying to think of some
thing effective to say that would mo-
convey too much to the listening Per
kins. AS I stood there, the door Of
the next house opened and the steps
were flooded with light. Three mer
emerged, with the complacently pros
porous air Of those who have dined
slowly and well, and I felt as thought
Iwere dreaming as I recognized Starr
and Ferguesson, with Casey bringing
up the rear. Also, I was %unhappily
conscious that they saw and knew
me, although they passed us without
a pause or glance.
do you live next to Mrs. Schuyler.
Smythe." I managed to inquire, land
do you know: Miss Mildred Schuyler.
Smythe and her cousin Miss.
I paused, for Miss Nancy, Welles
nose was pointed skyward and she
stepped haughtily from her brougham
as she replied:
"Oh, those impossible people! ]
believe I've heard my aunt mention
them, but of course we don't know
them" =.
They were all waiting for me
around the corner, as I knew they
would be, and l met the fire Of ques-
tons as well as I could. Starr and
Randy were in high spirits, but ]
thought Casey looked depressed, and
once or twice he smothered a yawn.
Well" said Randy, as we reached
our rooms, fits been a great night
for all of us, eh, Casey?"
d Speak for yourself" he returned.
maybe you enjoyed it; I didn't.
know what Mr.. Schuyler = Smythe
died Of and how long he was sick; ]
know he could take green tur-
tie soup without indigestion and al
ways would order it, and that he new
er liked caviare. I know that Mildred
had c~hicken-pox when she was five
and measles when she was six, and
that she inherits her fathers delicate
digestion. Sometimes she has trou-
BILE with her liver"
Shut up" interrupted Starr, but
Ferguesson took up the thread of
discourse.
"Old Casey was great" he said.
"You should have seen him making
himself solid with mother. Honestly,
7 didn't think he had it in him to be
SO diplomatic"
Casey grinned in rather a sickly
manner.
Good Lord" he said. Somebody
had to talk to the old lady. You fell
lows hadn't time"
"She invited him to dinner Thurs
day." said Starr. II think myself the
thing is as good as settled already"
I felt much relieved to hear it, but
as I was going to bed Casey came into
my room anG fingered there, talking
about nothing in particular.
Billy" he said finally, II got a
look at your friend of the fire as we
passed the carriage tonight. She
looked all right. Take me around to
call, will you? You've done nothing
for me so far, and you are in honor
bound to help, you know"
I said nothing. At that moment I
disliked Casey intensely.
You know" he repeated sharp
1y, with a rising infection.
YES" said; II know. It's silly
business"
mot at ALL" said Casey; Simply
business"
said something about wishing to
be left in peace to sleep when I was
sleepy.
II expect you to do your part
said Casey. I'm willing to make the
sacrifice, but it's up to you to help
when you can. Remember your ca
reer."
"Confound my career"
Certainly" said Casey. Good
night"
CHAPTER III.
I got a card to Mrs. Joseph Rob
inson's "At Home" and said nothing
about it. One minute l decided to
go, and the next I bitterly reflected
that it would be better for me to
keep out of the way of temptation.
/ had not yet, however, discovered
the color of Miss Nancy Welles' eyes
and felt I could not be satisfied until
I had done so. This point settled,
] should consider the incident closed.
So I went and it was indeed the
beginning of the end.
Just about that time Casey devel-
oped an insistent personality that
proved most annoying. He became
curious as to my engagements and
demanded detailed accounts of my
movements every day. Then, too,