The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-06-02
By J. Hartley Manners

DrOVlQeQ Will Sci ouLS. We "a NV
need any further assistance"
Peg just looked at Ethel and then
bent down over Michael. Ethefs last
shot had struck home. Poor Peg was
cut through to her soul. How she
lonced at that moment to be back
home with her father in New York
Before she could say anything Ethel
continued:
IF you insist on waiting. kindly do
so there"
Peg took Michael up in her arms. COL
lccted once more her packages and
walked to the windows. Again sne
heard the cold. hard tones of Ethers
voice speaking to her:
Follow the path to your right until
YOU come to a door. Knock and ask
permission to wait there. and for your
future guidance go to the back door
of a house and ring. Don't walk un-
announced into a private room"
Peg tried to explain:
Eye see, ma'am. l didn't know. All
the gentleman said was. Go there an
wait'"-
That will do"
I'm sorry | disturbed ye." And
she glanced at the embarrassed Brent.
THAT will do said Ethel finally.
Poor Peg nodded and wandered Of
through the windows sore at heart
She went down the path until she
reached the door Ethel mentioned.
She knocked at 1t. While she Is wait
ing for admission we will return to the
fortunes of the rudely disturbed low
ers CIV.
Ethel turned Indignantly to Brent
as the little figure went of down the
path.
Outrageous" she cried.
Poor little wretch" Brent walked
to the windows and looked after her.
she's quite pretty"
Ethel locked understandingly at him.
us sheT"
In d shabby sort of way. Didn't
you think so?"
Ethel glared coldly at him.
II never notice the lower orders.
You apparently do"
"Oh. yes-often. They're very inter-
esting-at times" He strained to get
a last glimpse of the intruder.
do you know, she's the strangest
little apparition"-
She's only d few yards away If you
care to follow her."
Her tone brought Brent up sharply.
He turned away from the window I'M
found Ethel. arms folded. eyes fash
ing. waiting for him. Something In
her name alarmed him. He had
gone too far.
why. Ethel" be said as he came
toward her.
Suppose my mother had walked In
here-or Alaric-instead Of that crea-
ture? Never do such a thing again"
Il was carried away" he FASTENED to
explain.
Kindly exercise a little more re-
straint. You had better 20 now" There
was a finality Of dismissal in her tone
as she passed him and crossed to the
great staircase. He followed her:
May | call tomorrow" !
No" she answered decidedly; mot
tomorrow"
The following day, them" he urged.
"Perhaps."
Remember. | build on you"
She looked Searchingly at him.
Il suppose we are worthy Of each
other"
Through the open windows came the
sound of voices.
Col" she said imperatively. And she
passed on up the stairs. Brent went
rapidly to the door. Before either be
could open it or Ethel 20 out Of sight
Alaric burst in through the windows.
Hello. Brent" he cried cheerfully.
"Disturbin' ye?" And he caught Ethel
as she was about to disappear, "Or you,
Ethel?"
Ethel turned and seated herself with
her little white lap dog clasped in her
hands. then answered coolly:
You've not disturbed me-"
I'm just going" said Brent
well. wait a moment" And Alaric
turned to the window and beckoned to
some one on the path, and in from the
garden came MI. Montgomery Hawkes..
Come in" said the energetic Alaric.
Come in. Ethel. | want you to meet
Mr.. Hawkes.. Mr.. H~awkes-my sister;
Mr.. Brent-Mr. Hawkes." Having sat
isfactorily introduced every one, be
said to Ethel: "See II the matters well
enough to come down, like a dear, will
We? This gentleman has come from
London to see her. Dye mind? And
come back yourself. too, like an angel.
He says be has some business that con-
Germs the whole family"
Alaric hustled Hawkes. into a chair
and then seized the somewhat uncom-
Portable Brent by an unwilling hand
and shook it warmly as he asked:
Must you go"
YES" replied Brent, with a sigh Of