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

huN ~ eAhN
ing at all to further your wishes.
Haven't you?'
She smiled again.
what could we have done?'
Michael asked in a low voice.
What couldn't O have done?'
Lise smiled coolly.
cit isn't fair" the poor boy cried
hotly-"it isn't fair of YOU to say
such things. You've never spoken to
me like this before. If You felt So
so strongly about it, why did yon go
on listening to me. and sympathlzlns
all the time, and agreeing-yes'
agreeing, Mrs. Standring-that Fate
was against us, and nothing could be
done?"
II haven't the slightest idea," said
Lise calmly. Il suppose I never
thought it over seriously. I just said
what you wanted me to say, because
I didn't like to see you so wretched.
The real issue didn't seem to matter,
if I could manage to cheer you up
for the moment, and that's the solid
truth"
1t was.
For the first time" she pursued
softly, 1--WE thought the matter over
calmly in all its bearings, and I'm
quite convinced that the best thing
YOU can do now is to lose no more
time. but" She stopped and
laughed.
"What?" His tone was full of sui
len apprehension.
Arm yourself cap-a-pie, mount
your gallant gray, pick the girl up,
! and ride off with her. One word at
J her side. and one voice in her ear
I forgot the exact words, but the end
! of it was They'll have fleet steeds
; that follow and so they would II
you borrowed our new touring car,
wouldn't they? But you've heard
| of young Lochinvar before, and 1
needn't enter into any more e%Eplana-
tons. Do as they did in the golden
youth of the world, and carry off your
bride. Take the first turning to
! Gretna Green and
"You must be mad!" said poor
Michael. "And what do you all mean
by throwing the detestable habits of
the abominable past in my face like
this? The world is past its golden
youth now, and grown sensible, and
I'm glad of It,"
"Not at ALL" said Lise composedly.
"You love Audrey passionately,
deeply, unswervingly. You often told
me Sc. She loves you-devotedly,
in the same unquestionable way.
She's often told me that. She's told
quite a number of people that. Run
off with her like a brave knight Of
old. Don't stand any nonsense from
mercenary parents or vegetarian II
walls"
"You talk like a book" The dis
gust in his tone made her laugh at
him, but his manner Of receiving her
advice showed her that she had
changed her tone with him only just
in time. She had been playing with
fire. Of course she had suspected it
for some time, and even if it was only
a slow smouldering, at best a feeble,
Pickering flame, it was quite time it
was put out with a little cold water.
And exposed to Audrey's winning
ways-oh, he would oon return to
his allegiance. She was giving the
best possible advice.
Even to buy chain armor and a
gallant gray" Michael remarked
slowly, zone requires crowns - or
ducats or whatever you use to buy
the silly things with. You know that
I haven't the money for such-such
m%anliness."
"Work!" said Lise unfeelingly.
"Get something to do, and stick to 1t.
It's time YOU earned your W lin
ing instead OF dreaming all day about
your wrongs. On, I've no patience
with you!"
Michael rose in dignifed displeas-
ure.
give noticed that" he said sadly,
land perhaps I'd better go. l don't
wonder that I've exhausted your pa
t!ence. Mrs. S~tandring. You've been
, very good to me, and I won't tres
pass on your kindness any longer.
But"-his voice broke a little
that you should speak to me like
this! That you should tell me to go
to work."
Its time some one told you"
Lise spoke hastily and cruelty, but
at the sight of the tears standing in
his eyes, she softened a little to him.
Perhaps she had been rather too
fierce.
"Sit down again, Michael" she
said more gently. Il know I'm a
nasty old thing, but I really do want
you to listen to me. My dear boy,
don't-now, don't go off in a rage
with your best friend"
lie sat down again.
"I've noticed" said he gloomily,
that people always call themselves
your best friend when they want to
say something especially unkind. But
go on-don't spare me; my backs
broad enough"
Quite" Lise admitted, with an
admiring glance. He really was a
finely built young fellow, and very
good at games.
lyon see" said she quietly, 81