The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-09-14
P V,
Continued.

Ion SPEAK o. NY slSlel iihe
that" said she. Don't be a cad as
we'll as-as everything else that's
horrible. You're engaged to the pref
tiest and most fascinating girl in
England. and you ought to be salts
fed. You are satisfied. If you're
pretending that you aren't happy, to
console me, you can just save your
self the trouble, for I don't believe
a. word you say. I never shall believe
anything you say again. I've often
heard people say that all men are
liars, and I know that It's true"
you can't know it of many of EN-
yet" he remarked moodily.
You needn't be coarse. You
wouldn't make silly jokes at such a
moment as this"-her voice broke
IF you weren't %radiantly and glor-
iously happy"
A more convincing picture Of un-
utterable woe than he presented at
that moment it is difficult to imagine.
Happy! Oh, Sandy!"
~Tormentilla's color faded; her
steady gaze faltered, her eyes fell,
ard the color came back to her cheeks
in a rush. There was something very
convincing, l suppose, in the utter
misery OF his expression.
ri think Id rather that you were
happy" said she, slowly dropping her
hands as she turned away. Greenie's
dog-roses, already whiting in the sun,
fell unheeded to the ground.
The young man laid his hand. on
her arm appealingly.
mo one else will ever make me
happy" he said. And the foolish
child's heart leaped at his words, but
still bravely tried to steel herself.
go away, please" she said quick
ly. Wont you get into the car and
60 away again."
II can't leave you like this, dear"
His voice was unsteady.
But you must-oh, indeed, you
must. You belong to Dolly now, en-
tirely, you see. And you mustn't call
me dear"
LET ME stay a few minutes longer.
J. haven't seen you for such a terribly
long time. 1t was perfectly devilish
that I wasn't able to. And when I
thought you might be fretting, per-
haps-"
"Fretting!" This was too much.
The tears came at last, hot and un-
comfortable, but IS she had turned
away from him he didn't know. He
went on eagerly.
Sometimes" he said miserably,
IT feel as If I could never so through
with it. l can't sleep for more than
seven hours at a stretch now; upon
my honor, 1 can't. And often-much
often than you'd think, I simply
loathe the sight Of food. It's awfully
rum"
RUM" Tormentilla's choked,
disguised voice broke in as she re-
membered her long, sleepless nights
and months of pure misery.
"AnG, you see, I can't get out Of
1t now. simply must go through
with it. Everything's settled. I'm
in it up to the neck. If I could only
see a way of getting out Of it honor
ably His voice chokcd and he
stopped.
Tormentilla was silent for a few
minutes, then with her back still
turned she said in a low. voice:
THE only possible chance would
be if a claimant should arise and
prove beyond a possibility of doubt
that you'd been changed at birth. If
YOU were he, and he was the Duke Of
Lavendale, don't you know, Dolly
would be almost sure to throw you
over"
The young man started.
Its a nice idea" he said slowly,
"but I'm afraid it's not a thing to
build on"
Strangely enough, the possibility
seemed anything but cheering.
Il suppose" she suggested 1imidly,
"you wouldn't care to invent an i'm
poster, would you?"
The Duke-he looked more like a
groom-gasped.
I'm an Englishman," he cried in
some haste. And q man of honor"
Tormentilla looked ~ him grayely.
True" she murmured. I'D for
gotten that for the moment, I sup
pose. When is the wedding to be?"
The seventeenth Of July. YOU
you won't be there, will you" I'm
afraid your mother will make a fuss
if you aren't, but-no-I'm hanged
if l could stand that
1T isn't q question Of what you
can stand. And I'm cot going.
Mother can rage till shes black in the
face if she likes
Sometimes" said the young man
gloomily, Il feel inclined to put an
end to the whole baastly business.
Dolly's only marrying me because I'm
a good catch. She's had an eye to
the main chance from the cradle.
And it's n, a nice thing for a chap to
feel that he isn't loved for himself
alone-now, is it,"
"No."
"!And I've always felt that you
would have taken me if Id been a
travelling tinker. Sandy dear"
you've 70 right to feel any such
thing" cried Tcrmentilla sharply.
Il believe" he continued gloomily,