The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-06-25
gold, while the other was drudging, as he
h. b1,, Jo y

"Weh, mother" returned Nellie, afte
thinking for a moment, I" shall be gov
erned in this by my own sense of what i
right and proper. know that my fathe
always loved Frank, and had much conf
dence in him, and l will not deny that
love him, even now. With regard to Nh
Lotion, should never have a husband i
he were my only choice. He may b.
wealthy, but his character is not good.
Frank is poor, know he is industrious ant
persevering, and the few thousand dollar
which my father left for me will enable hin
OF start we'll in some moderate business"
Mrs. Collins changed color, and seemed
to be startled by what her daughter hst
said; but she soon managed to compos
herself, though she did not resume the con
versation.
"Egad, Frank, l come on gloriously will
my charmer.' cried Sidney West, as th'
two sat in their room at the hotel. "Sh'
has promised to be mine. Only think
she wouldn't even look at me when | wen
away"
"What could have produced the change
think you?" asked Frank.
"My manners, sir" retorted Sydney
spreading himself with mock show. O.
have captivated her. She is willing to be
stow her fortune upon me in consideration
of the fine, fashionable husband l shal
give her. But | mean to do the handsome
thing, Frank; l mean to be steady, and &C
into business as soon as l am married"
II hope you will, Si&," returned the
younger cousin. "You have talent ano
ability, and there is no reason why you
should not prosper"
"Thank you. But say-how do you come
on with Nellie?'
"I have not spoken with her yet-that
is, not directly" returned Frank, with some
hesitation.
"Pooh! You're safe enough. She loves
you-she's loved you for years. You'll gel
a heart, Frank
"If I get Nellie Collins, shall get a
true and loving wife, l am sure"
"Of course you will"
AS Sidney thus spoke he looked at his
watch, and then arose and went out. In a
little while Frank followed his example,
and wended his way toward Mrs. Collins S.
He found Nellie at home, and went in to
spend the evening. They conver>ed upon
various matters until quite late, and then
Frank approached the subject that lay
nearest his heart. He told Nellie that he
could not bear the suspense longer. He
said he loved her as he had never loved an
other-.he had loved her long time
and if she would be his wife he would love
her always.
Nellie trembled, and it was some moments
ere she answered. But finally she looked
up, and said, with warm, generous frank
ness:
"I must answer you plainly, for my own
happiness is as much at stake as yours.
Had YOU asked me this question week ago
| should have had no hesitation in giving
my answer. But 1 am not situated now as
l then supposed was"
"Nellie," cried the lover, as his COM
panion hesitated, "what do you mean? You
surely love me. Oh-you cannot have
given to an"
"Stop, Frank" interposed the maiden,
with sudden start, "you misunderstood
me. I must tell you the truth must
confde to you secret which | at first re-
solved that l would never divulge. l only
knew it three days ago. You knew that
my father left some property"
"Idid.'
"And that some few thousand dollars
were left for each of his chldren?"
az had supposed so.'
"Well-in an unfortunate moment my
mother, who had the use of it all, was led
into speculation by which everything was
lost. 1t all appeared fair and sure to her,
and she ran the risk with the firm belief
that she should nearly double the property.
She lost it all; but she was not to blame
1 am sorry, for her sake, for she suffers
much"
"And what of this?" asked Frank, after
waiting awhile to see if she would say
any more"
"Why, it leaves me penniless,' returned
Nellie.
$50 much the better" cried the youth,
seizing the fair girl by the hand, for now
l can claim you on the ground Of love
alone. l have already made arrangements
for going into business, and am sure of in
come enough to support us comfortably.
Now will you be my wife?"
When Frank West went home that night
he was as happy as mortal can be. His
plans for life were all laid, and he had
placed all the scenes of his future in
warm sunlight
"Then you have really consented to be-
come his wife," said Lydia, after Nellie
had told her the result of the interview of
the preceding evening.
Yes, sister. | have"
And l think you have done very
foolish thing, Nellie. Since you lave dis
covered that your money was all lost we
had hoped you would look out for more
becoming match"
"Since l have discovered it," returned
Nellie, with marked emphasis. "What do
you mean? Did you know it before?"
"Yes, l knew it two years ago."
"And never told me-"
"Of course not"
"But, Lydia, why should you have kept
such an important matter from me?'
Because" answered the elder sister, "we
feared you would be too honest to keep it
to yourself. 1t might have made vast
difference in our prospects, whether we had
$4,000 each, or had nothing We hoped to
see you marry with a wealthy husband, and
then you wouldn't have missed the money
you had lost"
"And do you think this was right"
asked Nellie, with look of concern. at
is deception, and can only lead to evil"
"There you co." exclaimed Lydia. Just
as supposed You will never succeed in
playing the game of life. You will show
your hand at the very start"
II have no wish to make a game OF my
life," said Nellie, with deep feeling; "and
those who do 80 are full as apt to lose as
they are to win. had much rather take
life, with all its duties and responsibilities,
as solemn fact, and try to live it justly
and honorably.'
That's poetical, must confess-though
rather of the psalm-tune ORDER" replied
Lydia. "But give me the game, especially
when hold the chances in my own hand.
have played and won."
"But you told Sidney that you had no
money!
Indeed, didn't do any such thing. He
has money enough of his own. Did you tell
Frank?'
"Of course I did,"
| MeTCy oH iue-"ndt paragon you nave
become"
Nellie turned away, sad and sorrowful,
for she feared that evil would come OF ali
this.
|
Sidney West and Lydia Collins were
married, and for a while the husband re-
sided at the house of his mother-in-law.
One afternoon, about month after the first
marriage, Nellie gave her hand to Frank.