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


In all the wide world there was
not happier, proudor man than
Ralph Chauncey 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'
brance of her kiss, light and dewy
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 wish ungrati6ed
that l 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! My 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 more years younger
than he; she was radiantIy beau
tiful, gay and girlish, while her
betrothed was grave, quiet, almost
retiring in his disposition, and
possessing very few claims to be-
ing considered a good-look!ng man.
But be was so thoroughly good.
He. was as gentle as a woman,
yet, every whit. manly and reso-
lutc 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 his heart, and
received bis ardent kisses on her
smiling mouth. Z
Yes, he was happy-undeniably
perfectly happy and into that rap
turous peace, that brooded like a
blessing over him, a friend Of his
entered, that same summer night
st. Elmo, honest and true, and
sarcastic and plain-spoken, but
whose out-and-out freeness ot
speech had mover touched Chaun.
cey until this occasion, when, sc
very naturally, Christie's name
was mentioned.
i haven't said anything about
your engagement,for didn't really
think it would amount to much,
St. Elmo said, in his off-haud way
Didn't think it would am cunt
TO much = Chauncey repeated, in
a sort of amazed, mechanical way
NO, I thought it wouldn't, anc
hoped the same. I don't approve
of 1t, BY any means, Ralph. Thai
girl don't care straw for you
Chauncey looked at him in as
| tonishment for a second, then
slow, red stain came in his face.
That sounds rather rough, olc
fellow. Don't forget it is a sacree
subject to me-
Stuff and nonsense It's a sub
ject that can't be too highly illu
minated with all the common
sense that can be brought to bear
1 tell you you are in love till yo'
are blind as bat, and l shall d.
my duty by you. That pretty lit
tie girl doesn't care that for you
Ralph and I hate to see yo'
MAKE such an idiot of yourself
See here, St. Elmo'-an'
Cbaunce5's low, cool voice wa
ominously low and cool despit
its patience-tyou must not ezpec
l shall permit any one to speak g.
to me about my personal affairs
YOU
St. Elmo looked a little defan'
ly at him.
Don't get obstreperous, Ralph
live known you, boy and mar
a many year, and you don't SUI
pose, do you, I'll shut my eye
and mouth when l see you a
lowing yourself to be married fo
your money, and nothing ou
your money? Just another mil
ute, Ralph. Let me say my sa.
and | swear it is my first and las
.say on the subject; but substra'
your fortune, your fine hous'
I your horses, your servanls-an
pretty Miss Christie would Civ
you the go-by! Try ito prov
my truth