The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-10-05

feeling that success was almost in
evitable. Here was Michael fixed up
with a comfortable and lazy job, con-
senting like a lamb to the plans for
his welfare; not enthusiastically, GER
tainly, but then he never vas enthus-
iastic; there was Audrey on the verge
of consent, frankly acknowledging
already that the idea charmed her:
that it would break her heart to let
him go away without her; and there
was Lise a staunch ally, CALAMITY
keeping them both up to the scratch.
All her plans were going we'll. Mr..
Bromsgrove had had the young
keeper William removed to Green
rose, it is true, but that in itself had
given her a triumph, for she had
agreed with Groves that it was hest
for him to be out of the Wears reach,
and had persuaded Mrs. Gramper to
arrange with the housekeeper at
/ Greenrose, who was even more of a
comfortable old dear than she her
self, to take Minnie as, a still-room
maid. And Mrs. Banks loved a love
story almost as much as Tormentilla
did, so those two would be happy,
and Tormentilla told herself that if
they were true to each other a little
longer, she would take care that their
love story had a happy ending. Will
lam should be promoted, or at least
his wages raised, and she herself
would give away the happy bride.
They had not yet fixed the date of
the elopement.
Audrey, however, was already buy
ing quantities of new clothes on the
strength of it, to her mothers delight.
The fact that her daughter was shak-
ing off her gloom, and taking a ra-
tional girlish interest in the really
important matters of life, cheered
her immensely, and she said as much
to Lise, who would, of course, under
stand how thankful she and the
child's father would be to see her
happily settled with Nigel's excellent
income.
1--WE are so glad young KenWorthy
will be out of the way" the good
mother went on, although l am
afraid he isn't more likely to keep
this post than any of the others, even
If it has fallen so miraculously from
the skies"
fYou think not?" said Lise, ami
ably, but afterwards, when she talked
to Tormentilla about it, she con-
fessed that she had misjudged ALL
drey. II thought l understood her."
she said doubtfully. II thought she
would take Nigel in the end"
But you said that you knew she
would never swallow the nuts and
BEANS" Tormentilla reminded her.
and the rational dress, didn't you?"
II know 1 said that. But what 1
really thought was that she would
keep him dancing on a string till he
was driven to such a state of desper-
alton that she could make any con-
ditions. Audrey's very clever, you
know. And yet now she seem quite
happy at the idea Of this romantic,
runaway love-match. She cant be
the mercenary little wretch l thought
her, after ALL"
81 never thought she was mercen-
ary!" Tormentilla cried warmly.
She's too simple and loving and
gentle to think of money. I have
| sometimes thought her rather silly,
and hated myself for being so unkind
and uncharitable. She can't be real
ly silly, you know, or she wouldn't
have this depth of feeling, this true,
disinterested love for a. penniless
lover"
"No-o," Lise admitted. thoughtful
ly . II give her up. Shes certainly
extraordinarily sweet-tempered. l
shouldn't wonder if they were very
happy, after all"
Tormentilla looked puzzled. A
happy life was bound to follow, she
had always supposed, on a love-
match. No novel that she had ever
been allowed to read had $50 much as
limited at anything else, but then, she
hadn't had time for much novel-read-
ing, and GREENE and her mother had
generally chosen her fiction for her.
who is this friend of yours who
is to lend them his motor for the
honeymoon, and help us so generous
ly with the dark scheme?" Lise asked
%curiously. T%ormentilla hesitated. 1t
wouldn't do to tell the truth, she sup
posed, if
His names John Edward" she
| said at last, and this was quite true.
He's quite pleased to help. He's a
very old friend"
Il see." Lise asked no more.
To be Continued.