The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-01-11

| VVII. AAI
z~@eseeSScoe.~.~e.-@ e.-@u-e~e..--e-s-c.e+.'
~>~>>~e~~~~~~~e~
lcsuld not share Sheezas@yaRag asd
thoughtleas; hsd bren fe,tered BY pow
erty, cireumscribed in feeling and ae-
tion and "a he recalled thess-ssnss, be
judged her lenisutls apd without the
shadow Of reproach. He had never at
tempted TO dissuade her from the course
she purxsed; had never discouraged
lher visits to the opera when aeconPs-
oieJ by those friends whose judgment
he could rely; but to night. as he sat
alone, and thought of her so resplea-
dent. go fascinating, aud so loving, his
feelings began to change. She. xas
young, Younger by ten years than he ;
she was scarcely eighteen, and he more
thar tuenry-eighs What il the world,
always eager to. dsuoanee the tboughtr
less, should take her name upoo It's
lips, aud suliy its purity with its pollu-
Tied breath. She was bat child yet.
chasing . butterfly society, operas, balls
were new to her she vas gathering her
flowers whilst the fresh deus Of morning
lay glit,ering upoh them, not thinking
Of the ,horns which lurked amoDe
them. As Chester S:arling thought Of
these things, his heart seemed TO-, die
within him his child wife, his Myrtle,
was in danger Of which her iunocsnes
had never dreamed, aud to save vas bis
resolve. j..
It was New years morning q ~eet
after the incidents recorded in the last
chapter. Chester sas alone. in bis Ii
brary. his lips compressed, aud . look
Of doubt and trouble resting 10 his
6ae eyes. Presently his wife entered
| in obedience to his Summons; and -
he made roou for her at his side, the
trouble in his eyes grew deDser, aud the
lines abou. his mouth more rigid. She
was dressed iu q morning robe Of Grim.
son. lined with white aud faced with
swans down aud, IS she soyed care.
lessiy With tie heavy silken tasss|s,
Chester thought he had never seen. her
look, so lovely. You received my
message, did you ?" he inquired, scarce,
y knowing what 10 say.
"Yes, but had half q mind not to
obey you," she replied, glaucing bright
| " 10 his face. "I have been rs busy
as bee all the morning getting ready
for Mrs Fortesque's party tonight. L
am TO pcrsouate Winter aud l am
hayiuy the loveliest gray velvet dress
made, lust the color Of winter clonds,
trimmed With down in imitation Of
snowflakes, aud am having my diamonds
reset to represeu. icicles." She looked
no into his face as she concluded her
narration, aud, startled By its pallor,
exclaimed: "What is the matter, Chez
ter ?" Tell me, darling, tell me-"
He put his arm around her. 20
Myrtle !" said he. in voice which he
vsiuIy endeavored to steady, '.are you
20 welded to the vanities Of the world
,ha. it would kill you to be divorced
from them -
Welded to them! Divorced from
them I" she repeated. vaguely. "What
do you mean! Why do you not ez-
plain 7"
lie looked into her face as s'eruly
as he cuuld. .If should tell you that
this house and furniture. your diamonds,
aud servants, aud equipage could 10
some degree meet the demands OF hne.
sry. nay, insa,iate creditors, what would
b. your reply 7"
The ruth burst upon her like peal OF
,hunder ir"m cl"uiIess sky. She vas
auprepared for it; TWO years before
she had assumed au exalted position,
auL she had worn the honors It eoafer-
red n. resalIy as Il qsee" wears the
c-own destined TO her at hes hl1th
Mvrtle loved spiendor and gaye,s ss
de.riy as the summer birds loye san-
.hine and warmth. but she loved her
husband aud his honor beyond all else
She did cot re.liss l. 10 its fell force
until he aided =
"Wheu We we're married. Myrtle. l
had this properly and its appurteuanees
dedeed to you. As the reeord nov
stands, they are uou youre personally
Ms much 80 as are the gsrmeots 10
which you ave clad. Nike Jour Own
decision. darling, take Jour oSn ti@e.
IThe Law cannos rob you Of thsse thlng'
If you wish"
The true mobility Of vo1aaaood
vh,ch had been slaubering in Myrtles
nature like . diamond vithin 9 sealed
csske. displayed itself o. she. tHined
her white arros shout her husbeDds
meek II do. not seed tiMs ie decide
this matter, Chester" she e1elsi9ed !:
..iusra.e. indeed, would ! be, eolM !
li,l,er oou. Take I'll, everything
| Leave me bat yosr love, Chester, sss
nv oua health. and ssk nothing e,ss.
But, Myrtle. does not the pFospea'
seeu, dark. Indeed Z To be esree ~ ths A!!
wealth and luxury IN shich 1s tssyJ
lrevelIsd, the .parple aad ses linen, "a
which We have beso elsshed esesy dsy,
the society and gaye.y1 in which JooH
have deIighsed 90 mesh, ths.-. =
"Hssh, CHESTER, de eps fsfsE q selAgtsl
Hov reckles, hoy earelss Z E. say.; !1.,
bssn ! HeV beg Isur. loye sys. g ssrsylg'oe sg