Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1920-08-07
Suffer snd be strong-that's IN,

Suffer and be strong-thats the
watchword, We will hope that Mrs.
Bashford is woman OF sound sens"
and tact who will exert herself :"
restore peace on her property. when
i call to pay my respects and max"
my adieus ! shall speak to her Of tn"
situation and vouch for your loyalty,
You haven't. suppose, seen tn" WHO"
yet-she's probably sleeping late.
quite the contrary. sorr. shes
been up and around for an hour an
more. Shes been alt over the place
and stopped for a squirt al the garage
her and the pup"
"She been here, inspecting the
garage | asked, glnncinC at my
watch. II IVES not yet eight o'clock.
The banter died out Of me; clearly :
had been nv duty ~ be on hand ="
pilot her over the t-tate. or at irdSt
10 receive her al the garage. Just
what was the lady's frame Of mind
as to things generally. Prev,-i, vas
she. over the row last night"
"Oh, no, sorr; quite cheerful an
friendly. She's ordered big ear
from New YORK and told me Il would
be coming up to-day and 10 max" e
place for It,"
Here was news indeed. destroying
all my hopes that she meditated only
brief sojourn. The purchase OF a
machine meant definitely that she
would remain for some time, perhaps
FOR the winter. poured second cup
Of coffee. swallowed #, grabbed my hat
and stick, and asked enlightenment
as TO the course taken by Mrs. Basil
ford when she left the garage,
"She took the lower road. sorr.
toward the Sound and stepped of
quite brisk like"
II was the SercnpSt of September
mornings. and | hurried away. think
ing the CIoudleSS blue arch, the
twInkling sen, and the crisp air might
serve to soften my aunt'5 displeaSure
at her hostile reception. From the
Conservatives ! caught a glimpse Of
woman on the beach--R slender,
agile woman, throwing a ball for the
amusement of a fOX-tcrricr. The two
were having no end of good time.
She laughed joyfully when the ball
fell into her hands and the terrier
parked MS discontinue and eager
ness for d chance To redeem himself.
Antoiuc'S CquivoCal statement as to
Mrs. Bashford's age was ridiculous.
Instead of the middic-aGed woman
whom | was prepared to meet, here
was beyond question vigorous,
healthy being whose every movement
spoke for youth and the JOY of life.
1t might. after all. be the maid of
whom Antoine had spoken. | reached
a low stone wall that separated the
lawn from Tie beach just a. she
effected Il running pickup of the ball.
She turned swiftly and flung it straight
at my head. !nvoluntarily | put up
my hand ana caught IT just as she
saw me and cried Out-a cry of warn
ing and ContritiOn. | tossed the ball
TO the dog.
What must yOr think of met" she
exclaimed. Il was blinded by the
sunlight and / didn't see you-reGliy
l did notr
Il had no business being In the
way" l laughed, noting first her
glowing color, her violet eyes
amazingly fine eyes they were-her
fair hair with its golden CLINT, her
plain black gown with lawn collar
and wristbands. 1t was her age, how
ever, that reused me TO instant spec
ulatiOn. Twenty-Five, l decided, was a
maximum; more likely she was not
more than twenty-five, and if | had
been told that eighteen was the total
of her years | shouldn't have had the
heart to dispute ii.
bob Singleton" | said and stupidity
added, land you are Mrs. Bashford?"
unable for the life of me to avoid
turning the statement into an inquiry.
Il am your aunt Alice" she said
with smile, putting out her hand
Down, Rex" she commanded the
dancing terrier; lie down; schools
over now; whereupOn Rex obediently
sprawled in the sand and began try
ing to swallow the ball.
wasn't that silly of me to try to
kill you the first time we metz" Her
eyes danced with merriment. II didn't
know of course that any one was about.
But you made very nice catch of
1t! 1 had expected to receive you
most formally In the drawing room,
but this really serves very well. That
tree down yonder is Inviting; suppose
We stay out here and talk a bit"