Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-11-18

ueaoh IL puOllc properly.
Again that uncomfortable sense of pique
pervaded her listeners frame. Really it
appeared q matter Of sincere indifference
whether or not he appeared upon the scene
Of action.
"Rather pretty costume you have, to
bo donned solely for tho admiration of the
sea gulls," he continued, looking down at
the dainty dress, SO perfect 10 all its belong.
ings, with the eye Of man who consider
cd himself connoisseur in feminine appas
rel-albcit inclined to uso his taste for its
condemnation.
~ dress for myself Mr.. Arnold. 1 am
passionately fond Of pretty things, and
am fortunately able to crafty myself. I have
often wondered how men, who ore 80 severe
upon women for thoir love Of the beautiful,
would like to have their wives appear in
i'll fitting garments, or as slatterns. BY the
way, did you ever see man who did not
return straightway to his tailor coat which
had in it crooked seam or an ugly wrin--
kle7"
IL can't say that I ever did," he replied,
laughingly, while he suddenly remembered
that, in all hie imoginings, the old fashion
ed girl who was his ideal, had never pre-
sented hersolf in old fashioned garmonts.
The hop that evening Mr.. Arnold voted
a success, though he usually regarded them
as unnecessary bores.
Miss Kiugsland had mudo dancing an
art. lie could have wished the music to
lust forever, as she foatod through the ball
room on his arm. She was like some
beautiful fairy.
OF course no decided mentally. Garry
her into tho waking realities Of life, and
you would destroy tho charm. Still, there
was freshness, piquanoy, in her con-
versatiou, which not ouly pttraoted, but
held him.
10 come into her presence was seeking
moro bracng atmosphere, and ero many
days had fed, Claud Arnold found himself
counting tho hours not spent with her ns
wasted hours. Yet, that there was any
danger to himself or her, ho never dreamed.
lie had mado for himself an ideal to
which sho wus in every way the opposite.
Fashion and luxuries wero to her necessi..
ties The woman he married must have
mind above such frivolitcs
Meantime the ideal for tho present was
set aside, and the gittering, alluring reai-
ty enjoyed.
Three weeks had passed since he had
met Miss Kiugsland, when standing one
morning on tho piuzza, waiting for her to
join him for o promised drive, aud idly
scanning tho morning papers, just delivered
ut the hotel, his eye fell on the startling
announcement of tho temporary, but it
was feared permanent suspension of
Kingslaud q Co., New York's great
bankers.
These were troublous times, when the
weak and strong tottcred together. Their
failure would cause loss 20 himself of
several thousands; but to this Claud Arnold
never gave but passing memory.
His whole thought was filed with the
girl on whom tho crushing blow must fall.
"How pale you look!" said sweet
voice beside him. "Aro you not wcll7
Shall we not go2'
He turned toward the speaker. How
lovely she looked-lovely not only with
natures lovelincss, but all the accessory
of public taste added to make perfect
whole.
Her dress seemed moulded to the ex-
quisite form, her glove to the tiny hand;
her hat resting gracefully on tho small, well
poised head
Rob this girl Of all extcrnals, and she
would still be beautiful; but it would be
like robbing tho rose of its dark green
leaves, which seem to belong to it by right
How would she bear poverty aud failure?
She should not, if he could save her from
them. In that moment he knew how false
were his sophistries, aud how unoonsciously
he had learned the lesson love only teaches.
At first they were both silent on their
drive; then she turned toward him with a
sort of silent sympathy in her voice.
"Tell me what troubles you7" she said
"Only," he answered, "that am awak-
ing from a dream, and it is for you to de-
eide whether my waking shall bo of earth
or beaver. Maude, [ love you! Tho dear.
est wish | have would be to make you my
wife. Darling, ha,o been too abruptY'
A bright blush mantlcd her checks, as
she raised her dark eyes to his.
81 vii! be frank with you, Mr.. Arnold
she answered. "Had you spoken ycster-
day, your words would have given me only
! pleasure-now they bring mingled pain;
for I cannot give tho answer my heart
prompts. am no longer rich, Mr. Ar
mold. My father is threatened with failure
| While ho il in trouble, cannot think o.
my happiness. My place is near his side
intend returning homo to night.
meunt to have told you in any case, but
hated to spoil our drive by dragging in my
troubles"
In utter amaze, Claud listened to hc
words. She had known of her father.
threatened ruin, and yet had smiled 81
cheerily, and had found time to sympathiz
with any misfortune she fanoiod nigh
como to him; and now she could so quietl,
| Lon no;dn oil 4lnnnh4 nf GOLF L., Al;. 4.