Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1872-08-14
"Icannot think of it, Miss Ward-the


way had concluded her methodical sen-
tence.
Il don't blame her FOR running away
said Agness, laughing. Mamma, May
Delaval is engaged to Marian Ward p
''ro Marian Ward !" shrielsed the as
tonishcd matron-"to-my- -governcss?"
"Even SC" assented the dark beauty,
calmly.
"And this istle meaning his frequent
visits to our house -of the devoted atten-
ton he has always paid to yourself and
ne! And Marian Ward was laying
wicked snares for him the whole time
The designing, artful little hypocrite,
with her great eyes, and her voice you,
could scarcely hear. / will teach her the
consequences ofsuch conduct. I will"
Gently, mamma, gently" said Agnes,
with slight motion of her head toward
tho opcl-mouthetl children, who wore
eagerly drinking in every sentence that
fell from the maternal lips. "Rcally, if
May Delaval chooses to fall in love with
Miss Ward, don't sec that it constitutes
any crime on her part. Take my advice,
mamma, and remember that whatever
relations you may have sustained toward
Marian Ward, Mrs. Dclaval will be a
person of some consequence in the frsli-
onablc world"
And Mrs. Ordway could not but nc
quiescc iii the worldly wisdom of gnes's
view, even while her innost heart swell
ed with Indignation at the idea of Mr..
Delaval>s heart having been won by so
Insignificant parsonage asher child
ren's governess.
"Tcll INC, cara mia, do you love me?',
Now this was n very ridiculous qllnss
Jon, inasmuch rs Mr.. Delaval was we'll
assured of the matter beforehand, but
somehow lie liked to hold the slender
hand in his, and took into the melting
brown eyes, and see the color come and
20 on the pure cheek, rs she confessed
viii, such shy grace, that she did love
him. ~
And you are happy now, Marian?
Dearest, you told me once that you had
never known what happiness was"
81 ON happy, May, so happy that 1
feel rs if it must all be dream. No
one ever loved me but you, May"
"My poor little l,nely darling. Mrs.
Ordway once told me thas you had no
relatives living. Stay, though; she said
something of a brother who had joined
the army. My dearest, why do you turn
so pale? Has he too gomez"
"Yes--I-I have lost him." faltcrcd
Marian, growing scarlet and white alter
nately. ooh, May, please d,n't ask me
any more questions"
pardon me, love-" whispered the
young man, soothing down the gold tres
scs with tender touch. thereafter my
love shall atone for all that of the dear
one you have lost"
AS she looked up, smiling through her
tSoi', 1hEilcS oIuMuS cuille lulO the
room.
Excuse me for intcrrupting you, Mr.
Delaval, but there is man below with
n note that he will deliver into no hands
but those of Miss Ward"
Marian slipped away, glad of an cx-
cuse to hide her flushed checks from Miss
Ordway's searching black eyes. She was
gone scarcely ten minutes, yet when she
returned, those same checks were winter
than monumental marble.
Marian" exclaimed her lover, "what
is the matter? Are you ill?"
"Ill? No." she returned, in an absent
mechanical sort of way. "Why do you
ask?
because you look so strange and
pale"
cam ] pale? am quite well. But,
May, | cannot go out with you this after
noon"
"NOt on nut with mo Mor;op2 pnt