The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-03-27
The Old 1sauire's Mistake.
=. ~ go y -.
"True .hesr.sare more;than coronets,

."True hear.sare more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood.
SQUIRE Atherton owned a fine place,
and had plethoric rent roll, so that
money need not have been an object in
the selection Of wife for his only son,
Cyril. -
Not being Of romantic temperament,
he had given but little thought to the
matter, merely looking upon it as es-
sential, that at some distant time Cyril
should form some suitable, alliance, 80
that the name need not die out ) but
there need Yberno haste, and a fortune
must be among g.the lady's advantages.
What, then, was his surprise and dis
may, when Cyril came to him one morn
ing and asked his consent to marriage
with poor young girl, the orphan niece
of small farmer, who lived some three
miles from Atherton manor.
A stormy scene ensued. They parted
in anger.T Cyril mounted his favorite
Madeap - and rode. at once to Deep
dale farm. Hilda saw him coming and
met him at the door.
The rash young lover had not waited
for his fathers consent to WOO her, and
thew had been betrothed for several
weeks. He had led Hilda to believe
that she would be welcomed to his
home, and given daughters portion OF
love.
It was hard to tell her the bitter truth,
and in his anger and disappointment he
did not soften one harsh word his father
had said, even teicalling Hilda a milk
faced doll, whose pearly teeth and bright
eyes had captivated him in spite of his
better judgment.
"But we'll be married in spite OF him,
won't we, >darlings He'll come to his
senses then, I'll warrant. He'll think it
all right when he can't help himself"
Hildas roses paled as she. listened to
the eager boy, and the happy light
which had made her dark eyes so bril-
liant, had died away in somber shadows,
but she answered with gentle resolution
"No, Cyril, two wrongs never made a
right. kIt doesn't sound like you to say
such q thing I'VE are young and we can
wait until your father changes his
mind" asa) ,i1 ~..... .."...... ..l
'"That's what he'll never do" said
Cyril, gloomly. "H he takes notion,
an earthquake wouldn't move him. If
We wait for such a thing, we'll wait for
ever" -.
"Then it will be with a clear con-
science. Your father is an old man, and
it might shorten his life, if you his only
son-should prove disobedient and un-
Cyril listened to her with feshing
eyes. ,ao. 3D.
"Then You will throw me over? I
who worship the very ground your feet
have touched. Oh. Hilda, I did not
think it Of you. My father was right y
he continued, ,ygloomily.r- '' He said all
women are alike selfish and mercen.
ary,,1 -. .,,', -
ieve it of mel Hear me! If you were
to be crippled in mind and body, and
n1iserably poor, and no one else had q
prior clsim to you. I would work myself
to ashadow for you, and consider myself
happy in, doing 30. It is because I love
YOU better than myself that j will not LET
YOU do wrong. But I will promise to go
solitary and alone, So far as human love
is concerned, to my grave, if it so'be that
we cannot marry. Dear, dearest Cyril,
90 home to your father and do as he
wishes, fully and entirely. Gods bless
ing will surely rest upon the dutiful
son." ,...9 .-,.,....1.-.y.- ,..r
Her voice broke. With wild i'm.
pulse she threw, her arms around his
neck and Kissed him again and again,
between her sobs. It was her farewell.
The next moment .Cyrilywas standing
alone in the porch, and the heavy dool
was shut and bolted between them. " Z
After few moments of bewilderine
hesitation he mounted and rode away.
He could not but think forgivingly oi
Hilda, as he recalled her anguished sobs
and felt her kisses burning upon his
forehead-she who had ever been sc
eharv of her caresses.
WStrivs ashe might; he did not agair
see Hilda.s.It seemed as though some
unseen, messenger was ever on the aler'
to warn her of his approach. At last hs
grew desperate. and determined to leave