The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-03
ara vonr heaveM Won lead the life of q

the wife of your bosom has divorced
you, just because letter or two mis-
carried That outweighs all you have
done and suffered for her. Oh you
are crying, are you2 What you have
given up facing it out, and laying the
blame on me, have youa"
eyes, dear I fud you were not to
blame it was my-my parents"
"Your parents ! Why, you are not q
child, are youa You are the parent OF
my children, you little idiot; have you
forgotten that2"
"No. Obi obi obi I have acted
hastily and very, very wrong"
"Come, that is good deal for a
pretty woman to own. There, dry your
eyes, and let US order dinner"
>" What, dine with you3"
"Way, it is not the first time by q
few Thousand"
"La, Jonathan, I should like; but 1
mustn't"
"Why not"
"I should b. compromised"
"What, with mea"
"Yes with any gentleman. Do try
and realize the situation, dear. am o
single woman"
AS soon as Mr.. Clarke was in a state
to listen quietly, Mrs. Clarke compelled
him to realize her situation. "You see. 7"
said she, CT am obliged to be very par
ticular just now. Delicacy demands it.
You remember poor Ephraim Sladea"
"Your old sweetheart. Confound
him has he been after you again ?"
"Why, Jonathan, ask yourself. He
has remained unmarried ever since; and
when he heard I was free, of course he
entertained hopes, but I kept him at q
distance; and so (tenderly and regretfu!.
ly) must you. I am single Won an. !"
"Look me in the face, Sophy. You
won't dine with met"
"I'd give the world; but I mustn't,
DEAR"
"Not if I twist your neck round
darling-if you don'ta"
"No, dear. You shall kill me, if you
please. But am respectable woman,
and will not brave the world. But l
know I have acted rashly, foolishly and
deserve to be killed. Kill me, dear
you'll forgive me then" With that she
knelt down at his feet, crossed her hands
over his knees, and looked up sweetly in
his face with brimming eyes, waiting,
yea, even requesting, to be killed.
He looked at her with glistening eyes.
"You cunning hussyl !" said he; "you
know would not hurt hair OF your
head. What is to be donea I tell you
what it is, Sophy; I have lived three
years without wife, and that is enough.
+ won't live any longer so-no, not
day. It shall be you, or somebody else.
All ! what is that 20 bell. I'll ring and
order one. I've got lots of money.
They are always to be had for that, you
know" :.
"Oh, Jonathan don't talk 80. 1t is
scandalous, How can you get wife in
minute-by ringing?"
"If I can't, then the town crier can
III hire him"
"For shame !"
Chow is it to be, then7 You that are
so smart in dividing couples, you don't
seem to be very clever in bringing ON
together again3"
ut was my parents, Jonathan, not
me. Well, dear, I always think when
people are in difficulty, the best thing is
to 90 to some very good person for ad-
vice. Now, the best people in the
world are tile clergymen. There is one
in this street. Perhaps he could advise
u.s."
Jonathan listened gravely for little
while before he saw what she was at;
but, the moment he caught the idea 30
slyly conveyed, he slapped his thigh
aid shouted out: "You are sensible
girl. Come on" And he almost
dragged her to the clergyman. Not but
what he found time to order good din
ner in the hall as they went.
The clergyman was out, but soon
found; he remarked them, and they
dined together man and wife.
They mover mentioned grievances that
night; and Jonathan said, afterward, his
second bridal was worth dozen OF his
first: for the first time she was child,
and had to be courted up hill; but the
second time she was woman, and knew
what to say to fellow.
Next day Mr.. and Mrs. Clarke went
over to -. They drove about in an
open carriage for some hours, and did q
heap of shopping. They passed by
Ephraim. Slade's place of business much
oitener than there was any need, and
slower. It was Mrs. Clarke who drove.
Jonathan sat and took it easy.
She drives to this day. And Jonathan
takes it easy.