The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-09-14

Dy Dor0fhea Deakin,
fH6fSi6f 6T6 ia o f0f ia IN 6io7o76 I6767o

ting an end to things. You've got to
so on now and be as nice to Dolly as
you possibly ear She-I don't real
ly, honestly think she could help low
ing you when she knows you as we'll
as l." She dropped her flowers again,
sat down suddenly or the bank at the
edge of the quiet little lane, and COW
cred her face with her hands.
Sandy dear, don't! For Gods
sake, don't cry! I can't stand it. It's
too much for any man to stand, it
really is"
His voice, injured, desperate, stung
her:
"Let me cry" said she hoarsely.
cts the least you can do now-to let
me cry in peace"
But how can I let you cry when
T. Oh, this is awful! Sandy, I shall
have to take you in my arms and kiss
you in a minute"
There isn't the slightest necessity
for that, thank you," poor Tormen-
tilla said with dignity and a wretched
little sniff.
Nevertheless, he did it. Sitting be-
side her on the bank with his arm
around her, his face pressed against
her soft hair, things seemed suddenly
much easier to bear, less complex,
and, in fact, quite different in every
way.
II shall always love you best,
Sandy"
You mustn't do anything of the
kind"
How can I help it? It's Fate that
manages these things. You're such
a good sport, so different from other
girls. I've never, never been dull
when I've been with you. And you're
such a dear, and\so unselfsh. You're
not a bit like her. You don't fascin-
ate a. man, and take his breath away,
and"
She raised her head from his Shout
ders and pushed him flercely off.
II know I DON'T" she cried.
That's just it."
But you're always there, some
how. You're so straight and jolly
and true"
"a good deal too true" she said
bitterly. Truth Is always dull to a
man. I read that in a book the other
day. Men prefer deceit"
Books are all lies" he said, con-
clusively. Don't you take to read
ing, Sandy dear; it makes people
muddle-headed, and cynical, and an
alytical, and all that kind of nonsense.
The less you read, it seems to me, the
clearer you see things. And you don't
understand me quite. These others
like Dolly-they come and go, and be-
witch and e~xasperate and always tire
one in the end, but with you-well,
whatever happens or goes wrong, the
little quiet feeling at the back of
everything, that you're always there,
makes the difference"
But this was more than she could
stand.
I'm not always there" she said
sharply. I'm not there now. Dolly's
there for ever and ever and ever. You
can go on being fascinated by her,
and having your breath taken away
by her now for all your life If you
like. And please, please go. Oh, I
wish, 1 wish, you hadn't come! Why
why did you Gomez"
II didn't come to torment you,
Sandy, indeed I didn't. I'm on my
way north. I had to come through
.Malinder. and I remembered that you
were here, and turned down the by
lane to sec if I could get a glimpse of
you in the grounds. Indeed I didn't
ccme on purpose"
ooh, didn't you!" She rose at last
and fumbled for the unfortunate dog
roses. Then it's perfectly hateful Of
you to tell me so. Please so back to
your car. I'm going the other way.
No, you shall not kiss me again,
never, never! What do you say? Say
good-by? Good-by. then, and good
luck to you, and health and happiness
to the lovely b~r-bride."
She went hastily down the lane and
turned the corner before he could
speak again. Half-blinded by her
tears, half-e&ultant at the discovery
that he still cared, Tormentilla
walked headlong into the arms of a
portly gentleman in velvetecns, who
was strolling leisucely By.
1t was Mr.. Groves.
Hold on a Bit" said he facetious-
ly. Look where you're going, will
you? I've come for them few words
you were wanting, miss. Better late
than never, 1 dare say"
CHAPTER VI.
Mr.. Bromsgrove had entered upon
his new duties with much Zest. He
kept his wcathcr-cyc open to some
purpose, end his black list grew, and
grew, AID grew. He was finding out
q thousand things il which his noble
friend, Lord Malinder, was being de-
ceiTed:"~s
Already he had strong suspicious
that Macpherson had illegitimate and
lucrative ways Of d~isposinS Of the
garden produce; he had found out be-
yond doubt that the keepers were
regularly making money out of the
game by an arrangement with several
well-known poacners TO be out Of the