Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1872-10-09

at first, then admiringly, and, at Inst his
passion eliminated, and he asked her to
be his wife. ~ ~ t'Nsat,- ~
She was a girl of wonderfully quick
perceptions, and i suppose che had half
expected it, SO she turned, with 0 wo.
manly honesty in her brown, eyes, wo-
manly tenderness in her clear voice:
Before answer you, Mr.. Kirl, will,
you reply to one question (? What did
you mean by your attentions to Trix
Danby?"
IL meant nothing. I paid her no atten-
tion that could be construed into mean
ing anything. Beyond walking and talk
ing to her n few times, I know nothing
about the girl" :...,. !,
The curve of the scarlet lips deepened
perceptibly, the clear voice became became
earnest: .@.
"A1r. Kirk, VIC may as we'll undesstandf
each other. You tell me this, and .assa
lady 1 am bound to believe you; hut 1
assure you it places your conduct in no
more favorable light. You meant moth
ing, yoa say, but whether you meant it
or not you know the girl loved YOU You
know that every passion and pleasure of
her life has been absorbed by you, that
your idle talks. and chunce meetings
have drawn her away from her own ile-i
ality to an ideal world of sorrow and un,
happiness. You thought you were doing
no harm. Perhaps you did, but gentle
man would have thought, i. gentleman
would never have performed such all
action" .
From which reason that / am not IL
gentleman. Thank you, Miss Rodney /"
lis Saxon face flushed with indignation
rs he spoke, but she continued untlaunt-
c,lIv.
Not The least necessity, ] assure YOU.
My only regret is that | cannot place you
under deeper obligations, that my words
are insufficient to tell you all / think of
YOUR ct-tlc base, ungcn;!cmanlp
cowarticc that could induce auv mus,
formed in the image OF his Creator to win
u woman's heart merely pour p,,sscr lie
temps. IT, is common. | know scores and
hundreds of your set and compcers ,ln
likewise; but it is comtcmptibla all the
same. lnyour case it is more than con-
tcmptiblc, for though the girls social
station is beneath yours, the station and
the nature her God has given hcris as much
above yon rs the mountains arc above
the earth. Furthermore, despite the in
tensity Of your sclfishncss and hcr> ignor.
ance. you loved her"
The color faded from his checks, he
drew one short, hard breath, and answer.
cd nothing.
81 repeat it, in sort of way you loved
her, and you do not love me; but my
position is more advantageous, and you
asked me to be your wife, Facing her
wrongs, egotism is disgusting; but with
all due Difference, will briefly inform
you that | nm engaged to q man who
would scorn the amusement that enter
tanned you so Immensely.
She paused out of breath.
"4And now, Mr.. Kirk, will you be kind
enough to turn, have to drive home to-
night, you must rcmcmber!"
SO he turned, and in perfect silence
they fonted on their homeward way. She
sat Mt the stern, one hand rinrling the
waters, both eyes watching the curves
she made.
Nearer and nearer grew the village
and still neither olthcm spoke. She be-
came tired of ripping, and, seeing
bough floating on the water, stretched one
shapely hand towards it, leaned her 1.-the
body forward, and then--thcn, while
Lindsay Kirk was thinking of more
manly future; was dreaming of Trix's
shy face and intensely happy eyes; while
Miss Rodney was thinking over her girl
isil thoughts /; while pairof dusky, eager,
eyes watched them from the shore, the
boat upset, and the two were struggling