The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-11-10

Elu uHy.
In all the wide world there was
not a happier, proudcr man than
Ralph Cbauncey as he paced the
piazza Of his home, that warm
July night.
Two hours before, he had fair
Christie in his arms, as be bade
her goodnight at her fathers
home in the city: and the remem-
branco Of her kiss, light and dcwy
as the touch Of a flower, fingered
warmly with him.
i will be so good-so good to
herr he was thinking, rapturous-
ly. She shall have everything
in the world she wants-there
shall not be a wish ungratifed
that | can hear her express or
imagine she thinks. My bright,
bonny little darling, she has food
ed my grave, quiet life with such
blessed sunshine! Ny little Chris
tie! I wonder how it ever, ever
came to pass that she could care
for me?'
1t certainly did seem somewhat
strange, when a purely disinter-
ested party took it into considera-
ton. Christie Layne, young
twenty or moro years younger
than he; she was radiantly beau
tiful, gay and giriish, while her
betrothed was grave, quiet, almost
retiring in his disposition, and
possessing very few claims to be-
ing considered q good-looking man.
But be was so thoroughly good.
He was as gentle as a woman,
yet every whit manly and reso-
lute in whatever be did or said ;
and, with a might and a force that
sometimes half amazed himself,
be loved the girl who had prom
ised to be his wife, who had let
him clasp her to bis heart, and
received bis ardent kisses on her
smiling mouth.
Yes, he was happy-undeniably,
perfectly happy and into that rap
turous peace, that brooded like a
blessing over him, friend Of his
entered, that same summer night
st. Elmo, honest and true, and
sarcastic and plain-spoken, but
whose out-and-out freeness of
speech had never touched Chaun-
cey until this occasion, when, so
very naturally, Christie's name
was mentioned.
i haven't said anything about
your for l didn't really
think it would amount to much,
St. Elmo said, IN his of-hand way.
Didn't think it would amount
to much! Chauncey repeated, in
a sort of amazed, mechanical way.
NO, l thought it wouldn't, and
hoped the same. I don't approve
Of 1t, by any means, Ralph. That
girl don't care straw for you
Chauncey looked at him in as
tonishment for second, then a
slow, red stain came in his face.
That sounds rather rough, old
fellow. Don't forget it is a sacred
subject to me-
Stuff and nonsense! It's sub
iect that can't be too highly lllu-
minated with all the common
sense that can be brought to bear.
l tell you you are in love till you
are blind as bat, and l shall do
my duty by you. That pretty lit
tie girl doesn't care that for you,
Ralph; and I hate to see you
MAKE such an idiot of YOURSELF
See here, St. Elmo'-and
Chauncey's low, cool voice was
ominously low and cool despite
its patience-'you must not expect
I shall permit aoy one to speak so
to me about my personal affairs.
| YOU
St. Elmo looked a little defiant
" at him.
Don't get obstreperous, Ralph
I've known you, boy and man,
a many year, and you don't sup
pose, do you, III shut my eyes
and mouth when I see you al.
lowing yourself to be married for
your money, and nothing but
your money? Just another min
ute, Ralph. Let me say my say
and | swear it is my first and last
say on the subject; but suos'rac'
your fortune, your fine house
your horses, your servanIs-ano
pretty Miss Christie would give
you the go-by! Try ito prove
| NV trr III