The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-09-28

| it must he true. I want You to be as
happy-I want all my friends to be
as happy AS
'Well?" he asked gloomily.
Gas I am" Lise spoke lightly.
"My good boy. don't look so glum.
You can borrow tae money for the
desperate first step, and then throw
yourself gracefully on the mercy OF
the hard-hcarted parent. Or, rather,
let Audrey GO that. She'll manage it
better. Or. Cogwheel is very rich
indeed, I believe. His profession
but there, YOU know as well as I do
that it's only a pleasant hobby to him.
and that his assistants do all the
work. He doesn't spend a sixth part
of mis- income-Jack says he's sure
he doesn't. And he adoces Audrey.
Even if he didn't, do you suppose her
mother would let her want? Not she.
It only wants one bold steD. and your
happiness is insured for life"
Michael buried his face in his
hands, SO his JOY at the prospect was
hidden from Lise.
Cheer up" she said. "for, YOU
see. as we'll as having Audrey with
you for ever and ever, which was
! once your only dream of happiness
you've often said so-your future
will be assured; and you must admit,
my dear boy, that your present pros
poets are, to put it as mildly as pcs
sible, precarious."
He looked up ferceiy.
I'm not a fortune-hunter!" he
cried. "Believe anything else of me,
but don't believe that. Money is
nothing to me-nothing.'
But Audrey is. You'd have her
into the bargain to make up for the
| injury to your pride involved in the
spending of her money"
Her light tone elasperated him;
made him desperate; and he rose and
laid his hand on the back of his chair
with a white face.
I'm going to tell you the truth"
he said, and Lise too grew pale at
the sight of his changed manner
She had gone too far. She had been
tactless, scornful, half in fun all the
time. Instead of helping Tormentilla,
she had hindered her; or, rather, she
would have hindered her if she didn't
quickly undo her work. And besides
that. if she once let Michael say what
he was going to say
Michael" she said slowly, raising
her black eyes to his with an implor-
ing sadness, which bewildered him
even more than her unkindness had
done, I'm afraid I have not been
quite frank with you. I have a self
ish reason for what I ask. Don't you
see that it might be very good for me
ii you married Audrey?"
Good! For you? Good for you,
Mrs. sa~ndring?"
Eyes. Good for me-"
She looked at him steadily.
II should like to be able to tell
my husband that YOU were married.
she said gravely. 1t had suddenly
occurred to her that she couldn't do
better than treat him with perfect
honesty and sincerity.
But Micnael's face changed. He
colored a little, and his moody eyes
lit up.
Lise went on, carefully choosing
her words.
my husband does not approve OF
your friendship with me-" she said.
HE does not believe in your love for
Audrey. He says you have got over
it. He says that you don't come here
to get my sympathy, but because
you"
She stopped suddenly.
He came and sat down in the other
corner of the window-seat.
"What-what can you mean?" he
asked eagerly, .
HE says you come to see me-"
Lise stopped again, half-frightened.
for even now she might only have
let loose the food-gates.
SIS he-he isn't jealous of me, Mrs.
Sandring?" His awed tone allayed
the anger his words would have
aroused.
Jealous! Oh, no! Jacks never
jealous. He is SO absolutely sure
of my love, you see. 1t is his perfect
confidence and trust in me that makes
our home such a happy me-. Abso-
lutte certainty of a persons unswerv-
ing affection always makes a home
happy, Michael, remember that. But
he says it is cruel of me to allow you
to come so often. He says it isn't
fair to you"
Cruel? Not fair? How" His
i face fell at her words, and Lise saw
that she was going the right way to
work at last.
tn he Continued.