The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-10-30

vile. cannot understand why you
have refused him."
because dislike him." averred the
girl, "ard since I refused him / have
learned to dcspise him thoroughly. He
has shown himself revengeful and un-
manly"
"Iu what wsy?" inquired her brother,
incre7ulously.
"He has tried to part me from my
friends" asserted Beth Indignantly.
81 have seen the sreers and shrugs with
which he has tried to traduce me. He
is polished cheat, dissembler without
soul or conscience. All it is very easy
for him to smile away my good name
while my brother is blind to his by
pocrisy."
"Nonsense, Beth! exclaimed her
brother in anger. "Hiram has never
treated you with anything but respect. "
"He has threatened me, went on the
girl, white with excitement; "he says
that if 1 will not be his wife he will
make me in the sight of men q creature
30 despicable, that the lowest Of them all
would scorn me. And for what he has
said or what he has hinted, the one man
whom 1 love has left me without q
word"
"I suppose you refer to that Clarke
Elliot" sneered her brother.
81 refer to Mr.. Elliot" she answered.
"Well, the truth of the matter is,
Beth" be returned; "that your conduct
has been censurable. Your association
with that Elliot was highly unbecoming
and indiscreet. When disagreeable COM
ments were made, Hiram always defend
ed you. Hiram was quite right if he
coaxed or coerced the fellow to leave
you and the place. Elliot sought you
and fiattered you because you amused
him, T suppose. But he never thought
of marrying you. Never think, Beth,
that man of such aristocratic preten-
siors would ever choose for bride q
girl without money and social distinc-
ton. Hiram has acted honorably, and
you are ungrateful, Beth. He has done
what many better men might not do to
save from regret the motherless girl who
is to be his wife,
"I will never be his wife, protested
Beth.
"Then you will no longer be my SIS
ter, nor can my home be yours" de-
clared her brother firmly.
And 50 Beth Hurst lett the home that
had been hers for 80 many years, to be
followed everywhere by the prosecutions
Of her rejected suitor.
Perhaps Hiram Wells did not mean to
be so unmanly and so shamefully cruel.
He was passionately fond of the girl,
and she was 80 young-so inexperienced,
that he hopdd to win her by the persist
ence of his own passion. He was natur-
ally diplomat and intriguer, and could
see nothing unkind or wrong in this un-
gallant pursuit OF the inimical young
lady he had determined should be his
wife.
Most OF all he wished to force her
back to the home and influence Of her
brother. And to do this he affected to
be the disinterested friend aud pardon
ing lover of a most misguided and indis-
Greet coquette and perverse sweetheart.
His handsome person, his chivalrous
bearing, and his seductive voice were
sufficient to gain Mt once the attention
and sympathy of those whom he wished
to convince that Beth was sadly way
ward if not exactly an improper sort of
young person.
Much as Beth dreaded him, she was
scarcely prepared for the ve1ations await
ing her that morning when, resentful
and defiant, she went out to visit her
music pupils.
"Miss Hurst" said the lady of the
house where she first called, "my
daughter will not require your lessons
after to-day. I could not think of en-
ploying you against the wishes Of your
brother and the gentleman who is to be
your husband. And. my dear, if we're
you would not delay my marriage. Mr..
Wells seems to be very excellent and
generous gentleman
Poor Beth
She was blind with tears when che
went slowly up the steps of a stately
house close by.
As she was admitted, q handsome
elderly lady met her and led her into the
parlor.
"Miss Hurst, she began quite gently,
noticing Beth's agitation; "please to be
seated and let me talk to you. I have
learned to like you much, and I cannot
part with you without advising you"
The young music teacher felt she was
already rather surfeited with advice, but
this lady was 80 kind, 50 sincerely sym
pathetic, that her resentful mood vanish.
ed instantly.
| "My dear child" resumed the lady,
"I have known you for some time, and
have always found your behavior admir-.
able. Will you tell me what momentary
folly you committed that causes your
friend to speak so seriously and yet sc
compassionately of you ?"
"The folly Of despising that same per
son who calls himself my friend, wher
he is my most cruel enemy and persecu
tor" cried Beth, while her proud eyer
flashed.
81 do not quite comprehend you,
observed the lady, very kindly. evil
you tell me the whole story, my child 2
"Indeed will" declared Beth, i'm
pulsively; "for know you will believe
and be Just to me ALSO"
The lady smiled and bowed gravely
and pretty, aggrieved Beth briefly mar
rated her story with an impassionet
voice that intently impressed her listene
of her trath as we'll as her trouble.
"And yet, my poor girl, remarked
the lady, when Beth paused; perhap
it will be best for you to yield. 1t vii
be almost impossible for you to liv'
down the reputation that your resolut'
suitor has given you. Nor can you eve
be quite happy unless you become re
conciled to year brother. And Mr.. Well
may prove good husband TO you, afte
all"
"He will never be my husband,
avowed Beth, frmly-"never, thougl
he drives me to beggary."
Il "And that decision honors you," sail