The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-05-19

nOIlOnS OF tue value OF tneSe Cnln gS.
"Oh, well, for fifty dollars, perhaps" I"
rs though to console me for my disap-
pointment. I had an impression that
he would make up any deficiency from
his own pocket. He was thoroughly
benevolent man!
tried hard to like him-or rather to
love him-in those days. Sometimes 1
thought had succeeded-when I had
not seen Fred for some time, for in
stance; when he had been driving or
riding all over the country with that
alarmingly pretty cousin of his. But q
half hour-ten minutes-with Fred
would be enough to undermine all my
resolutions about making a sensible,
respectable marriage. Fred and l had
@sed nssn Snffsa e eoud be one but Fe
provoking, aggravating. unjust. but
dear.
hardly expected that we ever would
make up our quarrel. But we did, un-
expectedly, as all the beautiful, best
things in lite happen. Fred was ridic-
ulously poor; but nevertheless, on ou"
reconciliation, we made up our minds
to be married out of hand. Our kins-
folk and acquaintance were informed
of our intentions, and the time named
for the event.
When saw Mr.. Barnwell for the first
time after my engagement was an
nounced, he shook hands with nae, his
tace as though cast in iron, in the like
ness Of his wonted smile, and deathly,
CHASTITY pale. l shall never forget that
look.
The next day he was found dead in
his bed. Afterward poison was sug-
gested-that he had taken his own life:
but at the time it was believed he had
died of heart disease.
Whichever theory may have been
true, there can be no doubt that his
death was fastened by his pecuniary
entanglements. His affairs were found
to be in q very embarrassed condition.
1t came out that he was deeply in debt.
He owned q farm and house in town.
1t would be necessary to sell these n
order to satisfy his creditors; and this
done, there would only be three or four
thousand dollars left, to revert to his
brother and sole heir. Fortunately this
brother was above want; the dead man
himself remained the center Of public
pity. These developments were most
unexpected. It had been supposed MIR.
Barnwell was very wealthy man.
Had he lived he must have begun life
at the very foot of the ladder again.
Judge Leighton-Fred's father-was
employed in settling the estate. Thus /
learned of good many details that
would otherwise have escaped me. One
day Fred startled me by saying, Il
had no idea that Barnwell was an in
ventor."
"Nor had l."
cit seems he was. He had taken out
patent for an invention, which had be-
gun to pay moderately well. Five hun
dred dollars had been paid in already
on it before his DEATH"
Indeed! Oh, Fred, tell me what it is
like"
Like? Never saw such a girl for in
ventions and inventors. Likep Some
thing like this" And he described it
to me.
That afternoon I went to see the
Wagoners. Lou was placidly ironing,
with the air of doing 80 in moment OF
extreme leisure. Wagner was cob
bling; inventive genius was not above
the humdrum necessity of earning its
bread. Wagner anticipated presently
my own introduction ofthe object ofmy
visit.
did you happen to have heerd any
remarks passed about that ar leetlc
paten' of mine that Mr.. Barnwell war
a.seein' to for me, miss?" ;
Nothing very satisfactory. I wish
you would describe that model to me.
Wagner. I will inquire particularly
about it,"
Whereupon Wagner described it
His description Tailed pre-
cisely with that already given me by
Fred. / drew q long breath. Mr.. Barn
we'll must have been hard pushed to
have stopped to defraud this poor simple
soul.
"Iwish Mr.. Barnwell had a,lived to
see my interests through, miss. allays
liked his appearances.
You may be sure that Fred and saw
his interests through. I told him
of his prospects, however, until
I had made sure that his paten' could
be identified. Then I announced to him
that in small way his fortune was
made.
1t is my impression that this success
will p.ove the cornerstone of 4 very
gratifying career. Wagner has more
time now in which to perfect his
paten's. He has also more ready money
to put them into proper shape. Among
other things. he has improved the Hail
Columbia chariot. Last Christmas it
produced the widest excitement in
Port Royal, emptying the pockets of
their change of all the small boys in
to wn, to the placid delight of Lou, and
to the pecuniary profit of her husband.
-Haaper'S Bazar.