Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-11-21

intention to marry another, she bent over
and, kissing her aunt's forehead, rushed
down stairs and was soon en- route to the
store in which Oscar Howard was en-
ployed.
On the street she met William Danton,
who drove up in flashing phaeton, drawn
by a pair of sleek, dappled bays, that
seemed to scorn the earth upon which
their dainty feet rested. Beside him sat
well-kept, liveried coachman, while all
the appointments of the equipage evinced
not only the wealth, but good taste OF the
owner.
But about him there was an air of reck-
lessness and insouciance against which the
pure soul of Grace Stanley revolted.
Driving up to the pavement, he leaped
from his seat and stood beside her.
"OL, dear, how lucky!" he exclaimed.
II was Just going up to take you out, but
- All! I see. You are not dressed
for drive" casting his fastidious eyes
down upon her plain street dress, "and,
upon my soul, couldn't think of taking
you ont without chance of better dis
play than this" laying his hand upon her
modest, neutral tinted cloak, and glancing
mp at her equally negative hat. "But
Grace" he took occasion to Whisper, 81
did very much wish to see you this morn
ing. 1t is getting time that we should
come to some sort of decision in our
0faire de ceur. The old governor says /
must get married; go to the Sandwich
Islands; do something-stop this lazy
dogs life. I am spending to much of his
money" etc.
He laughed, and, forgetting where he
was, caught up Grace's hand, much to her
disgust. With an effort she withdrew it.
and as calmly as possible.
Thanks" she said, "Mr. Danton.
Were I ever so appropriately dressed, l
could not drive out with you this after
noon; and as to our affair de c@m, you
will have note from me tomorrow that
will define my position. have put one
in the post since coming out. wish you
a pleasant drive. Good-byem
And releasing her hand, she threw o
thick veil over her face, and walked ra-
pidly until she reached the store. When
she entered, she sent to Oscar Howard g
notice at once of her presence; but he
being busy, sle sat beside one Of the
counters until he could come to her.
During this time she was busy with
thought. He whole life had been sur
rounded with luxury, but nevertheless it
was one of dependence. Would she be
less dependent by giving up the luxury to
which she had been accustomed to, be-
cause the wife of man wholly depen-
dent npon his salary as merchants clerk:
"Yes," she answered to herself; "a
wife should be help and not an incum-
brance to her husband, and a helpmate |
am resolved to be ;" and look of smiling
resolve overspread her features, as Oscar
Howard approaching recalled her from
her abstraction.
"What has brought you here this after
noon, Grace ?" he said tenderly, his quick
intuition not failing to note something un-
usual in her manner.
care you ready, Oscar, to be married2'
she asked, in Whisper.
"Not exactly, dearest" he wispered.
81 have been trying to summon courage
to ask Of Mr.. Lacy an increase of salary
in prospect; wish to make you as COM
Portable as possible"
ave must get married at once" she
said, firmly, without regard to your
salary"
"Well." he answered in return, "to-
morrow, if need be-" feeling that she had
been impelled to her course by some un-
questionable motive
"Then tomorrow evening, at seven
O'Clock, at - Church, let it be, Bring
some of your friends as witnesses, and
with single female friend, l shall meet
you. Do not fail"
She extended her hand to him across
the counter, drew her veil over her face,
and with tears of mingled emotions brim-
ming her eyes, she passed out of the store,
and hastened her steps to the house of
her friend, to engage her services.
From this interview, Oscar Howard
retired to the private Office of his EN-.
ployer. He was pale and a9itated; and
thinking the excellent young man was
i'll, Mr.. Lacy spraug up from his seat
at his desk to offer him glass of iced
water. Declining the courtesy and
taking the seat indicated by Mr. Lacy,
Howard said:
Il have come to speak to you upon
some very important business. I am
about to be married, sir, and"
"At," said his employer; "and-"
81 must make beld to ask small in
crease of my wages
Mr.. Lacy's voice assum( d tone of
calmness.
"IIave you never saved anything from
your salary, Mr.. Howard?'
"Not until the last six months, sir.
Up to that time supported my invalid
mother. Since her death, have man
aged to save cne-half every month"
Indeed did not know you had a
mother"
"Ycs, sir; and, could my individual
wish have been considered only would
have kept her here for ali time. But
she was terrible sufferer. aud her re-
lease, though it left my life very desc
late, gave me meas.re Of comfort"
"And who are you to marry"
Miss Stanley"
"Not the niece of Manning. the ban
kerr"
"The same, sir"
''IIow is this, Howard?"
81 love Ler, and she loves me. That
is all, Mr.. Lacy"
"And will not Manning do something
for his niece?'
UNnthinn- sir II she married me y