The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-30

She don't expect me until Wednes
day" said Mrs. Colby to herself
What fun it will be-"
Her dark eyes sparkled mischiev'
ously beneath her veil at the idea.
II wonder" she thought, uncon'
sciously following the thread of bel
own musings, eff Alice's brother is
really so perfect and chivalrous:
There are few of that type left in the
world, and if I should meet my idea
out here among the waves, it would
be a life romance"
BOAT in already? You don't say
so. She made good time" cried Mr.,
Coverdale, running down the steps OF
the hotel, wiping, the cigar ashes from
his heavy mustache at the same mo-
ment. Come on, Hall"
The passengers were piling into
the great four-horse stages which
awaited the boat; but Mr.. Coverdale
settled all perplexities by calling out:
amy one here for the Locust Cot
tage-Mrs. Julian Raymond's."
Mrs. Colby glanced up in surprise.
| Could it be possible that Alice had
fathomed her little scheme?
YES" hesitated she, 81 am"
"Come on, then, and don't stand
staring all day." said Mr.. Coverdale.
with the scant allowance Of courtesy
he deemed sufficient for a working
woman. She stepped in the convey
ance unaided.
"All right" he impatiently shout
ed, pulling the reins. Now. Hal, you
needn't throw away your cigar" as
his companion glanced doubtfully at
the yelled passenger. She don't
mind a little smoke, do you, Mrs.
What dye call yourself?'
Mrs. Colby sat in a maze. Was she
dreaming, or had this strange char
ioteer gone mad?
ooh, you needn't be surprised
said Mr.. Coverdale, checking a hic-
cough. I'm Mrs. Julian Raymond's
brother. She send me to meet you
II am much obliged, I am sure
faltered Mrs. Colby; "but--"
"And 1 hope you'll do your best to
keep your situation" went on Mr..
Coverdale; "for my sister has had a
deuce of a time with these INTELLIGENCE
people,"
A comprehensive flash came into
Mrs. Colby's eyes. Mrs. Julian Ray
mond's brother evidently mistook her
for a servant, coming up in search of
a place.
"But-' she began hurriedly.
1t was no use. Her feeble attempts
at explanation were drowned in the
rafting of the wagonette wheels as
Mr.. Coverdale touched up the spirited
horses.
Get up, Maud! Whoa, Niger:
Not a bad team of yours, Hal. I'll
buy them of you at your W price
when I'm married to the rich widow
What rich widow" asked Ha;,
lazily putting away at his fragrant
weed.
Mrs. Colby held her breath.
Don't you know? Haven't you
heard? But, honor bright, now,
you're not to cut in and spoil my
chances. It's one of Alice's old
school friends-Coalbin, or Coldslaw,
or some such name-as rich as an
Astor. who's coming up from New
Haven day after tomorrow. Con-
graduate me-"
What! Already?'
cts as good as done. What's the
old proverb? 4 came, 1 saw, con-
quered,' Oh, there's not much doubt
in the case, 1 hatter myself"
perhaps you won't fancy her.
"She is not of much consequence,
one way or the other; it's her money
I mean to make love to-Ha! ha!
ha!"
Then the conversation drifted off
upon the subject of the races.
Mrs. Julian Raymond was on the
piazza, when they drove up to the
door, in one of her ravishing toilets.
Hello, AL" cried out her brother,
checking the horses with a sudden
jerk. Here's your housekeeper."
"Why, she's been here these two
hours" said Mrs. Raymond, opening
wide her wondrous eyes. "She came
by way of the train. Who on earth
have you got there?"
"Only me-" said Mrs. Colby, spring
ing out of the wagonette and throw
ing back her veil. while a mischiev-
Gus smile played around her pretty
lips. kiss me, Alice. I hope you
are agreeably surprised"
Mrs. Julian Raymond sprang for
ward to embrace her schoolmate.
Dearest Viola, I am so pleased!
And you, naughty Harold" shaking
her chubby fist at her brother, "are
you in the plot, too"
No; Mr.. Coverdale was certainly
not in the plot, as his dropped under
jaw, staring eyes and sheepish counte-
nance plainly denoted as he bolted
out of the room, unable longer to
endure the sarcastic glitter Of Mrs.
Colby's eyes.
Hal" cried he to his friend, "hold
on Take me- down to the hotel with
you"
What for?"
'I've done tive ruined my
self"
Are you crazy?" demanded Hal.
No; but one would think | was,