The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-03-24
us since YOUR failure. I always sus-

uS SlUCS yOul "A"Syo ooO-
pected they were not to be trusted.
But If one of them did care enough
about me to come forward now and
offer to pay those dreadful debts, be-
lieve I would fail in love with him out
of shee gratitude. 1 would marry a
clod to see your name clear OF those
dreadful debts"
The father and daughter had come
out for a short walk at evening, and
neither of them noticed that as Annie
said these words a gentleman who had
been walking behind them, passed them
slowly, with a lingering glance into the
girls beautiful face.
Some days passed, and then very
queer letter came to Annie Prime. 1t
read.
DEAR MISS hav watcht you offn
when yudidunt no it. hurd wat yu
sed to yure fother abowt emmy wun hoo
t'kut pa hiz diets. I ken doc it, if youle
hev NEE, will ime clod, but i've got the
mummy. Ware red roze in yure hare,
wen yu 60 out to wauk the next TYNE,
if you acsep, and the jent that gives .yu
bokaY will be me. CLOD."
Annie spelled this epistle with some
difficulty, for it was miserably written
aside from the spelling. Then she
showed it to her father, and laughed
till she cried.
"He spells rose with a and father
with an o. But think shall acsep,
papa, if you do not object, just for the
sake of the 'bokay' You'll be with
me, you know"
Accordingly, the merry girl, when
she went to walk that night. wore a red
rose coquettishly below one ear, where
its crimson and velvet beauty brought
out the golden tint of her matchless
hair brilliantly.
| Her father was walking with her.
They had not been walking long before
they noticed approaching them the
strangest specimen of humanity that
either of them had ever beheld.
He was tall and awkward in his
movements, his hair long and straight
on his shoulders. He wore broad
brimmed slouch hat of soft felt, swal-
low tail and plaid nrmentionables,
with patent-leather boots, narrow of
toes and high of heels. In one hand he
carried bouquet, which he held ut
arms length, as ifsomething explosive.
Here he is, papa," said Annie, with
a smothered laugh. Now be sure you
are civil to him."
She accepted the bot 4uet which the
stranger proffered her smilingly, and
her father invited him to 20 with them,
which he did.
Annie noticed with some surprise that
her bouquet was made up with exquisite
TASTE But that she attributed to the
flCrist, OF whom the "clod had proba-
bly, purchased it.
But what surprised her most was to
find, when the evening was over and the
strange guest had departed, how much
she really enjoyed it. In spite of his
oddities and awkwardness, the "clod !"
had contrived to be interesting.
"He has fine eyes and good features,
papa," she said, land if he would cut
his hair and dress with some regard to
taste, he would please me better than
any of those others whom you would
have liked me to marry, and whom l
am sure would instantly withdraw
their suits had they known the condi-
ton of your affairs. l wonder if he is
really so rich as he says?"
"Have no anxiety about the money"
said Godfrey Prime to his daughter,
after a few days. 1.-The fellow has
come Unexpectedly into large fortune.
He could pay my debts and set me up in
business again, if he choose. without
missing the money. And he stands
ready to do it if you will marry him."
II am ready" said Annie, gayly. My
heart warns to him already"
The marriage took place soon.
The merchant was leinstated in his
business, and in grander and more
fourishing manner than before.
The splendid residence which he and
his daughter inhabited before his bank
ruptcy was purchased and refurnished
in the most magnificent manner.
Only one thing troubled Annie. Her
"clod" still remained "clod," do what
she would. All her efforts though she
had made him cut his hair and Danish
his rainbow suit-could not make him
any different from what he was at
first.
But he was devoted to her, and, be-
cause of his riches, everybody courted
him. His very awkwardness became
the fashion, and his most ungrammatical
speeches were passed from tongue to
tongue as profound wit.
Besides all this he had a good heart,
so much genuine kindness of DISPOSE
tion, being always ready to succor the
unfortunate, and he loved her so well
that Annie could not help loving him
in return.
Dear Clod," she said to him one
day. despaifingy Hna ~he1 in spite 2 Of all
fancy necktie, and persist in saying
"hain't" for "have not" dear Clod,
you are too stupid for belief, but some
how l can't help loving you Tor all
that"
The "clod" smiled, and kissed her
most tenderly.
Il have been stupid" he said, "and
you have been more patient than I de-
serve. But from this hour you shall see
change in me-"
Annis laughed indulgently. She had
resigned herself to see him always a
"clod."
But to her amaZement, that evening
when her parlors were filled with the
elite and fashionable of the city, her
husband presented himself attired in ex-
quisite ,aste, and 50 altered in every
other res ,,ect that only the eyes of love
could have traced in this elegant gentle
man any of the characteristics of the
"clod."
Everybody started, and Annie, under
standing that he he'd been playing a
part. was grieved and offended.
How could you, sir" she asked him
reproachfully. II don't know how
can ever forgive YOU"