The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-20
BY HUGH WILSON AND w. C. BENET.
ot fathom perhaps it was this that in.

| not fathOm perhaps IL was tnls CuaI III
terested her so much. He looked at her
so gravely indeed, he even went so far
as to shake his head at her wilful con-
duct, and with that shake of his head,
John Dutton put his foot in it. Marion
| had her own way all her life, and she
would let John Dutton see she would
not be dictated to by him. He was
throwing a spell over her that was every
day becoming harder to resist. Indeed,
she was miserable ever since he came to
her home-miserabl for Spence Arnott,
whom che loved did not like John
Dutton, and was growing colder towards
him every day.
II will not have him regard Inc as the
chief of sinners. l will not allow him to
come between me and Spence !" cried
Marion. "I will be as wicked as l
possibly can before him y and, unthink-
. iugly, Maron threw her little pet dog,
which she had been fondling, from her
lap as she rose from the seat on the
porch.
The dog struck the stone floor in q
manner that made him howl piteously
for minute, and in that moment John
Dutton appeared and shook his head
gravely 1t Marion. He spoke not a
word, but Marion understood him, and
said
cts only dog, and any way it's
mine, and I shall do what I please with
him."
"Only dog, Miss Marion
"He prayeth we'll who loveth we'll,
And things, both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth u, &.
Hath made and loves us all.
Marion's eyes filed with tears. Some.
thing in the depth of his brown eyes,
something in his gentle voice touched
her heart with remorse. He cast an in
huence over her that she could not easily
resist. Just at that moment she felt like
telling him that she did not mean to do
that coward]y act, but just rs she was
about to speak Spence ArDott, who had
been in the house unknown to her, step
ped out upon the porch. The tears we're
still in Marion's eyes, and, as matter
of course, she looked confused. -.
"Ah, I beg pardon for intruding, "
said Spence, about to step back.
"You are not lrtruding, Mr.. Arnott !;
I believe you have right here ! said
John Dutton, quietly, aud turning away
he entered the house. .
"Marion, what does this mean?' cried
Spence, an angry flush spreading to the
roots of his hair, us be perceived Marion S
agitation. -,
80 Spence!' cried the impetuous girl
unable to control the tears which were
last rolling down her checks " don't be
angry, he is 50 good j. ,
$50 good! l hate him, there !" and
Spence Arnott strobe angrily away.
Marion stood looking after Spence.
She was the picture of grief and despair,
and John Dutton's heart WAS filled with
sorrow as he watched her from within
the window. He came to this house to
meet his fate-a fate of which he now
little dreamed. He had learned to love
the handsome, wilful girl standing out
there on the porch, but that look on her
face now, as she gazed after Spence Ar
mott, told him, beyond doubt, where her
heart was. He had nothing to hope for.
That night John Dutton was awakened
from his sleep by some great confusion
in the house. Through his window ne
saw that the sky was in blaze. There
was big fire somewhere in the neigh
oorhood, and in an instant he was up
and dressed. He went down stairs, and
the first one he met was Marion, in bon
net and cloak, crying and wringlng her
hands.
"Oh, Mr.. Dutton, will you take me
! there? The Arnott mansion ls III flames
caught fire while the inmates were all
sleeping. Imust find out whether every
one has escaped. ,
John Dutton drew the little hand
within his arm, and hurried ont into the
night air. His heart beat painfully with
the little hand upon his arm, but he
spoke not word until they reached the
burning building.
"Have all the inmates escaped from
the building p he asked bystander.
"No; they are Offering large reward
to any one who will venture in and save
Young Spence Arnott; but it is as much
as mans life is WORTH
"Spence in the building YETI" shrek
ed Marion. "Oh, God, mercy We
parted in anger to-day. Oh, Mr.. Dut-
ton, shall die, if I cannot speak to
Spence once more !"
One moment John Dutton locked
down on the white, appealing face. He
caught her hands with vice-like grip.
"Marion, I will save him, or perish
in the attempt? The reward 1 ask is
that you will think of me sometimes"
He tore himself away from Marion,
and entered the building, enveloped Ill
flames.
81 heard you tell Marion to-day how
you hated me, but l forgive you, and
have come to save you, because she loves
you. Be kind to her always"
Spence Arnott was saved, but the
voice that whispered the above in bis
ear was lost forever mid the burning
flames.
"Marion, he lost his life saving mine,
for your sake. Ny darling, let us ever
cherish the name of John Dutton, said
Spence Arnott, reverently, as he gath
cred Marion to his heart.
Plain John Dutton Marion thought
that name immortalized, and why not
"Greater love hath no man than this
that he lay down his life for his friend.