The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-07-06


ing, and see what Charlie says; he will
tell you what success he met with, WON'T
he7"
eyes, I suppose he WILL" he re-
aWon't you try and eat your supper
now, my SOM"
aForgive me, mother, for being SO sci.
fish. 1 forgot that you had not had tea
yet I was thinking only OF myself, Tor
getting YOU entirely" And rising, ne
accompanied his mother to the table, and
made a pretence of eating.
He strove to Danish the sorrow from
his mind, and to converse with his moth
er. Her heart ached for her boy, but she
did not refer to the subject again.
Milton went to his room early, and sat ,a
by the window, gazing into the, g,asllt
street below but of what passed there
he took no note. He was thinking, with
that dull pain at his heart, of Maud.
Charlie was doubtless with her now, and
if she should accept him-the very
thought was agony, and he sprang to his
feet Unable to keep quiet. He paced the
narrow room back and forth until he had
became somewhat calmer; his better
;ndgment asserted itself against his CIV
inc way to his feelings to such and ex, ex,
tent S and striving. with all hisstrong will
tn NIT the matter from his thoughts, ne
went to bed. he was weary with the
davis labor, and finally fell into a troubled
sleep that lasted until morning. he was
yery pale. when he descended to break.
fast and there were lines of pain about
his mouth. Neither he nor his mother
referred to the subject, but, as he was
nrenar;nr to 90 to his work, his mother
followed him into the hall; he under
stood her feryent "God bless and pros
per YOU, my son." but he could not COM
tmand his voice enough to answer her
His feet seemed weighted with lead, as
he passed down the street toward Char
lies home, and once he was on the point
of turning into side street, and, by
avoiding Charlie, put off the knowledge
as long as possible. But he conquered the
impulse; he must see him sooner or lat
er, and it would be better to know the
worst at once, if worst it was to be-
Charlie came out of the yard as he came
in sight, and how eagerly he ed his
face as he approached him |! He could
read nothing from it; he could not see
that he looked any happier, or otherwise
than usual. -,
"Hullo what is the matter with you,
Milton?" Charlie called out to him, as
he came up. "You look more tit to be
in bed than to go to work"
"There is nothing particular the matter
with me; am little used up, that Is
ALL"
They walked along toward the manu-
factory in silence. Milton began to en-
tertain faint hope that Maud had not
accepted him; if she had, would he not
be eager to impart the pleasant news to
Milton and receive his congratulations I
At length, unable to bear the suspense,
Milton asked
"Did you call on Miss Chelsey last
evening, Charlie?"
he could not keep his voice steady in
spite of all his efforts at self-control.
"Yes, 1 did," answered Charlie, rather
shortly.
aWith what result" Milton asked,
utterly regardless of what Charlie might
think; and, as Charlie hesitated, he went
on vehemently, "For Heavens sake,
Charlie, tell me! And don't think me
rude and unmanly to question you thus;
if you care for her at all, you can perhaps
understand my feelings"
"Whew the wind blows from that
quarter, does it?" exclaimed Charlie,
with a look of astonishment. "Well, you
are perfectly excusable under the circum-
stances"
"she refused you, then ?" Milton
said.
eyes, she refused me, and gave me
quite lecture in the bargain upon the
way that spend my money, and, egad
1 believe she was right, too, though 1 felt
rather cut up about it last night"
Millions heart sprang up with a glad
bound as he realized that Maud was still
free, as far as Charlie was concerned
His mother was right in her estimation
of Maud, and she had asked God to bless
him as he left her that morning. And
what greater earthly blessing could he re-
ceive than the power to win the treasure
for his own?
Charlie was the first to speak.
"I am going to turn over new leaf,
Milton" be said, "and save my money as
you do"
"That is right, Charlie, l hope you
will" And as they that moment reached
the mandatory, no!more was said.
Millions mother met him at the door,
when he went home to dinner, and he an
swered her inquiring look with q smile.
"She refused him, then?" she asked.
eyes, mother"
"And you will ask her to be your wife
tonight, Milton 2"
eyes" he answered again.
"I think that you will be successful,
my dear"
"I most sincerely hope so"
ri should be pleased to have you mar
ry so good girl. Your sister is to be
married in three months, you know, and
she wishes me to live with her; and I
could not do so if you had no wife; I
could not leave you alone, and I know of
no one that I could like as we'll as 1 do
Maud Chelsey."
Milton Boyd never felt more bashful
and awkward that when he entered the
pretty little parlor where Maud Chelsey
sat reading. What a pretty picture she
made. And as she arose to greet him he
could scarcely refrain from catching her
in his arms.
"How kind Of you, Mr.. Boyd, to come
and cheer me in my loneliness. Papa,
mama, and Katie have all gone sway to
spend the evening; but as | had cold,
1 thought it more prudent to stay at
home"
81 should be more than happy if any
effort of mine could cheer you," answered
Milton.
Then emboldened by his great love for
her, he stepped forward, and took both
her hands in his, clasping them tightly.
She made an effort to relieve them she
was too completely taken by surprise.
"Miss Chelsey-Maud-I love you, and