Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1872-1875, 1874-12-17

sUnCl6 Haui COuiQ NOT escape. he nad
nowhere to go but tosbed, and it was
too early for that. ! Young LADIES' need
not be told how really disag Able the
position when q young gentleman is
present who loves her, while an elder
member of the family cisJ .immovably
anchored in the room, and who in tnrn
young man as apsbad man. ~ She was
afraid of an explosion as she nervously
undertook the task of directing the con-
yersation. She endeavored to steer
clear of the quicksands, but inn trying
to draw Uncle Paul into the cohversa-
tion she precipitated Just what she was
80 anxious to avoid.
iUhcle Paul had sat quite still for
awhile, in half-drowsy, brown study;
but he awakened suddenly when Mary
said, Susie and i met such strange
looking, unhappy old man to-day"
"a what that old man beyond o
doubt bad man."p
why, Unele Paul, have you walked
at last 2" asked Mary. {"i am glad
something can fix your attention."
uldid not look as, though he cared
to listen, as Mary went on. ESQ old
and feeble, and yet about him 81 osoSme-
thing telling of better, happier days !;
IN his face curves worn deep by patient
sorrow. - just as swe,passed him he was
saying II I could only talk to him q
moment, as tif some old friend had
refused him sympathy. Who could it
have been, I. wonder ? pitied him. ~
Uncle Paul fidgeted, but said nothing,
though he felt the thrust so uninten.
tionally given, while Philip Hastings
seemed happy and yet uneasy at the
turn things had taken, SO different from
what he desired. The two talked of the
strange old man, while SUnicle Paul grew
uneasy at every word, until finally he
rose upon his feet and began pacing. the
floor in an agitated way that he could
not conceal, z-
Mary walRled her unole for few
moments. Asassised, and wondering
what there was in the talk about
strange old man to agitate her dear old
uncle. Philip said to her:
"Miss Wayne, the old man of whom
we have been talking is one entirely
worthy of your sweet sympathy. and.
in word. is my. best friend. -. -.
Uncle Paul halted suddenly, utterly
dnmbfounded at the declaration. He
raised both hands, as if the effrontery
of the avowal had filed him with sur
prise and indignation too deep for ex-
pres5i01s
Tell nae, Philip Hastings, that at
least yo!I do not know shiH old mans
history"
A thousand frightful questions sug-
gested themselves to the mind of Mary.
She leaned forward to catch Philips de-
nial, denial which she hoped he would
make, and she shared Paul Wayne's
horror when Philip said: ss Every line
and passage of it, SIR"
"Why, sir, he's the wickest man alive,
and if you-well, if he is your friend,
if there is any community of thought
with him, why-well, I'm right, heyond.
doubt. But there cannot be. He has
given you his version, and when I tell
you all, you will cast him off"
He has told me all, and I have
found that he has told me the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the
truth. When men assume character
it is not bad one The old man Ouig-
ley has made clean breast of it ali.
He arrested me ipsssaay downward career.
and cannot, would not cast him eff
There was something in this speech,
SO earnest, SO manly, that Mary was
proud of her lover for having uttered
it, and even the lines in Uncle Paul's
face softened, and he was almost ready
to acknowledge that be might be wrong,
when Philip resumed his story: "
ST spent last win Ter in New Orleans.
as you know. Ore might I visited q
gaming table and was induced to play.
Il lost heavily, and, becomipgsdesperate,
was about to risk. my purse, and dts
contents upon n single throw, when a
servant stumbled against me and we
fell. As stopped to aid him he whis.
pored: I did it purposely. Play no
more. Meet me outside the door, I
withdrew from the game and met him,
and he said - Your antagonist there
pointing inside, was cheating you: T
saw it all. Don't 60 back. I was ruin
ed there; I used to play with thou
sands, now / sweep the foors.' sWhy
do you stay there?' I asked. sT must
eat and drink, and who will take me
with character from there as my last
place p"
Mary felt relieved AMI her Uncle Paul
said, The servant was Quigley; but he
doubtless did not tell yon that all these
thousands he stole from his deserted
vito. or gained on forged. panAr."
No, sir, not then. But Tetook him
as my servant and then lie, fold me TINT
could not trust him, andNwhy. He
told mo what you have just stated. I
did trust him apd have never had oc.
casipn to doubt him or regret my
ohoice."' ,,..i@
\ Uncle Paul paced the floor for n mo-
ment, mnttering,' s3It will come out be-
yond doubt; had better tell it ali. /"
then went over to Mary and caught her
to hia heart as If he would shield her