The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-10-19

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surprised. But her intentions we're
excellent; and now, at any rate, he
knew the truth about Lise.
He can never suspect her Of play
ing cat and mouse after this" she
said, with much satisfaction, "or Of
behaving like a lighted candle
either"
CHAPTER y
Llse was lunching with the Cog
wheels. When Audrey took her up
to her own room and locked the door,
she guessed at once what she was to
be shown. Audrey's sea-blue eyes
were full Of joyous interest.
Its rather an awkward kind Of
trousseau to arrange, YOU see," she
said. because one can't take very
much luggage in the cars. unless one
sends it on by rail, and that is so
prosaic, isn't it? So wanting in mag
nation! But I've got the sweetest
independently it hasn't come yet.
IL uau W DS loACll III q llIllC VI Liz
back seams, but it's a perfect dream:
white cloth and sweet little tabs and
the most exquisite paste buttons.
Mother was charmed with it. She
said it looked quite bridal. Poor
darling, she little knew what she was
saying, did she?"
"No," said Lise absently. gazing at
q forget-me-not hat in Audrey's left
hand. Put it en-. Audrey"
Its so charmingly simple" said
! Audrey, fitting it forward over her
pretty, delighted face, "and with a
veil it keeps on beautifully. One
couldn't go on ones honeymoon in a
! motor-cap. And I've bought a dozen
of the most ravishing wells. Mother
is quite pleased. l am afraid she
thinks Mr.. Standring-Mr. Nigel, I
mear-is going to take us out in his
car again. 1t is most unfortunate
that l have TO deceive her, but a
heartless mother makes a deceitful
child. She has been cruel to us,
hasn't she?"
HAS she?" Lise asked slowly.
Audrey turned surprised, innocent
eyes.
She encourages father" she said,
Gin the most barefaced way, and
never showed the least sympathy for
us. I often said to her, Dearest I
said, you were young once yourself
perhaps even beloved And she
said that she had learned wisdom
since then, though father says he
doubts it. 1t hurts me more than it
hurts you,' she always says. It's her
one excuse, and such a poor one!
Still, she is my mother, isn't she?-
and I can't help feeling miserable
when I remember how deeply I have
to stoop to deceit"
"Can you be ready by Wednesday,
do you Think" Lise asked impa-
tiently.
"Oh!" Audrey put down the girl
ish hat and counted on her fingers.
Isn't that rather soon?" she asked
with a blush.
mot too SOON" said Lise coolly.
when did you see Michael last?"
ooh, not for days! I've had sew
eral letters from him, but I've been
too busy to see him. And he never
mentioned a date"
well, if I were YOU" Lise pur-
sued, smoothing out a crumpled leaf
on the forget-me-not hat with her
quick little fingers-"if I were you,
I should make it Wednesday. Don't
waste any more time. Things always
get discovered if YOU leave them too
long. l shall tell Michael that you
consent to Wednesday. But you'd
better see him yourself about it,
hadn't you?" she suggested in some
surprise.
Audrey sat down suddenly in a
chair by the window, and Lise studied
her carefully. There Vas a little
smile lowering about her pretty lips,
and her eyes were far away.
She looks happy enough" Lise
thought with some relief. You'll
see him YOURSELF" she repeated, of
course"
"Oh, do you think I really need?"
Audrey asked softly. Il am quite
. satisfied to leave all the arrange
ments to you and to him. l shall
have so much to DO if it is to be
soon"
Lise was q little surprised, but as
! she told Tormentilla afterwards, she
never pretended now to understand
! Audrey. And she went home at four
o'clock in a much more settled and
comfortable state Of mind than she
had experienced for some time. She
was, in fact, so pleased with herself
and the world in general that she de-
cided to put on 4 really pretty frock,
a lavender muslin-JackS favorite
, color-before he came in to tea. 1t
was a chaTminSly pretty dress, very
full a:.d long and deliberately simple,
and she picked a bunch of purple and
white and lavender sweet peas to tuck
into the pretty embroidered folds at
her breast. And she parted her hair
on one side, as he liked it best, a
weakness she hardly ever descended
10.
"I don't suppose he'll eve notice
it," she murmured with q sigh, and
her usual tendency to expect the
worst. And even il he does. l expect