The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-05-04

The tears started to Marion's eyes as
she said: 'Poor old Berkley that you
used to love so much! And this is the
very reason I do not like Maj. Egan. 1
do not think his society healthful or
bracing. While am listening to him /
cannot help being amused with his won
derful stories of how fortunes are made
in day, and his own not less wonderful
genius for speculating; but now he has
gone, in thinking it over, I recollect the
text, "He that maketh haste to be rich
falleth into a snare" Already I feel,
dear Harry, that you and I have almost
fallen into that snare just in listening to
him. Have we not both, since Maj.
Egan came amongst US, been disconten-
ted with our lot, and our work, forget
ting it is the lot which "Our Father
assigns us, and the work he has given us
to do? 1 think, too, that Maj. Egan's
object is to make us discontented. /
know not why, unless he. thinks it will
make him look bigger for us to envy
him."
"You are too hard on Dick Egan,
Marion, he is a smart fellow, and de-
serves credit for his rise
Observes credit! A very vulture in
seizing his preyl What widows heart
has he ever soothed? what orphans tear
has he ever dried! o, Harry, Harry, I
do not recognize my brother in what you
sayp
"Maj. Egan must render his own &C.
count. cannot see that we are called
upon to say how his wealth shall be
SPENT" said Harry, shortly.
mo, brother" said Marion, still much
excited, "and if he would but leave us
alone, I would try and not judge him
harshly. But, OIL Harry, he is hard,
worldly man, and we are catching his
loving spirit. Brother, have we
heard those sweet melodies of the ever
lasting chime since Maj. Egan came
among us? Oh! no, those holy strains
are not heard by the worshippers OF
mammon!"
"My daughter, are you not uncharita'
ble?" said Mrs. Maham, in low voice,
as she placed her hand caressingly upon
the shoulder of the excited girl.
Marion's heart was too full to speak
again, for she realized that neither moth
er or brother felt with her. But she
pressed her lips upon the rebuking hand,
and inwardly prayed that heavenly
antidote would be provided for them to
counteract the poisonous influence OF
Maj. Egan's company.
The Major continued to visit frequent
ly at the Hall, and Harry began to speak
of him always as, "My friend Egan.'
Their unfailing topic of conversation
was how to make money quickly, and et
the wealth lying dormant in the donin-
ions of Old King Cotton-a wealth
which Maj. Egan enthusiastically de,
clared could easily be drawn out by q
little money judiciously used. "Why,
Harry, manp he exclaimed one day,
"it is grand speculation, and I will lend
you the money"
"But I may fail, and you will be loser, u
said honest Harry.
"Pshaw, 1 would hardly miss the little
you would borrow, and would not mind
losing il, to try and help friend. But
if it would make you feel better, you can
just give me a mortgage on Berkley
; Hail."
"I don't. see how I can do that; my
mother has life estate on the place, and
my sister also holds a claim, although
know they would do anything for my
welfare, I would not like to ask them te
relinquish their claims"
20, certainly not just take the money
any how. I am not lending them the
money, and would prefer they should
know nothing of it. The mortgage
would only be for appearances, for one
crop will lift it."
'The papers would not be legal with
out their signatures" said Harry, in
yielding voice, as he caught at the gilt
tering bait-a fortune made with ont
crop, his mothers and Marion's enjoy
ment of it, and, above all else, the bon
ME bridal which would take place at DR.
St. Julien's when Harry could 60 to hi
old friend and say: ~ can take care o
my wife, and have come for her"
"Don't think any more of the mort
gage" said Maj Egan; "I only men
toned it because I thought you would
prefer giving it. Men usually do, be
cause they think it looks more honora
ble," and there was the slightest possible
sneer in the tone of the Majors voice a!
he spoke.
Harry was stung, and quickly replied
"I, too, would much prefer it, but wished
to show you honestly how matter
, stand"
The money was borrowed, the mort
gage given, and Richard Egan became
the master of Harry Maham's fortunes
1t was to be secret bond, so that neithe
mother, sister or gentle betrothed wouli
ever guess the secret of the shadow which
darked and marked with premature wrin
kles the smooth, white brow of Harr.
Maham.
TO BE CONTINUED.