The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-04-13

one you cared for a little was away
during the last four days."
my time has not hung in the least
heavily on my hands," answered Be-
linda, coldly, emphasizing every "h."
But I have been aware of your abb
sence, if you mean that"
"And what have you been doing
with yourself? No paume-playing,
hope?"
II have given up paume-playing
forever" she exclaims, her cheeks
glowing, a sudden shame coming into
her eyes as she makes the confes-
sion.
my dear Belinda, this delightful
compliance with my Wishes" begins
Augustus.
Your wishes!" she interrupts him
quickly. What do you mean by
that, sir? What do you suppose your
wishes have had to do in the mat
ter"
"a good deal, I should hope, con
sidering how we stand to each other
as-as engaged people, and that"
says young Croesus, purpling.
Belinda turns from him impetuous-
ly; she triles with the flower in her
belt, she stoops and pats Costa, who
with an air of dignifed triumph sits
in the sunshine cycling the discom-
future of his enemy askance.
"I did not think you would begin
any of that ridiculous nonsense
again, Mr.. JONES'" she remarks, after
a minutes silence. Engaged. what
for, pray? Macaroons at Harran-
bours? We shall have time enough
to get some, I dare say, before we
start for Spain"
Without answering a word, Jones
shifts his position from one leg to
the other, then stands critically gaz-
ing into the transparent, girlish face
before him. Wounded vanity has in
buttons keen as those of love itself;
nay, in nine times out of ten, I would
say, has intuitions that come a thou
sandfold straighter and swifter to
the mark! Wounded vanity is food
ing Mr.. Jones' intelligence with a
curious amount of light at this mo-
ment.
81 don't know how it is, but it
seems to me that you have altered a
good deal since I went away, Miss
Belinda. Upon my word, you look
three, four, any number of years
older"
That is not a complimentary
speech to make to a young lady, is
it?" cries Belinda, but in a futtering,
ill-assured voice, with the traitor
blood still deepening on her cheeks.
And your dress-all those refined
female elegances with which I have
so often wished to e you invested"
says Augustus ~pompously. But I
suppose, as you expected me to-day,
I may without vanity attribute a
little Of that to"
pray don't hesitate"
ITO the very laudable desire OF CIV
ing me pleasure, my dearest Belinda"
Upon this she lifts her eyes and
returns his gaze unfinchingly. II
have taken to refined elegances,' as
I have given up paume-playing, to
suit my own taste. I never thought
for n moment of giving you or any
one else pleasure-never."
The natural expression, by no
means an angelic one, Of Mr.. Jones'
face, replaces in a second all the oily
tenderness which, as a sutton, he had
thought it wise of late to dissemble.
Truth, he feels, is going to be told
between him and this keen-tongued
little vixen at last, and he is quite
determined to render truth as un-
palatable to her as may be. well,
Miss O'Shea," looking at his watch
as he speaks, you are not in a par
ticularly complimentary mood this
morning, it seems; so the sooner we
wish each other goodbye the better.
AS regards your party into Spain,
you will mention to Mrs. O'Shea, per-
haps, that circumstances do not allow
of my accompanying you"
Il will deliver any message you
like to send by me, Mr.. Jones'"
Il have receivd a letter that calls
me back at once to London, and shall
leave this cursed hole with only too
much pleasure, by the twelve O'Clock
train. However, l have no doubt you
will find Captain Temple a very will
ing substitute. Before we part there
is one question that I should like,
just for curiosity, to ask you. What
was your object in giving me the an
swer you did four evenings ago, here
in your W lodgings?"
The answer" she stammers. Il
don't know what answer you mean.
Oh, Mr.. Jones, do forgive me if 1
have offended you!"
What was your object, I ask" he
persists savagely. rs it Sc perfectly
impossible to you to speak the
truth"
Il answered you more in jest than
earnest. You know it. l said that
we might try being engaged. We
have tried it, and-the thing is im-
possible. Forgive me, Mr.. Jones. I
have acted very foolishly, very badly,
I know, but ask you to forgive me.
l am wiser now"
NO doubt of it, says Augustus,
with one of his odious smiles. 1T
Would he imnertinent 7 cunnoSe IN