The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-05-26

perfectly understood each other. He
mas land may Heaven help him out of
MS mlstortune) loved you with all the
sIrength OF his generous heart for these
Ciree years or more-in fact, from the
HIST day on which he was unluckv
enough to meet you. And you, too, were
always partial to him from the first; and
during the last year by your manner.
even when IN the presence Of others to
my knowledge, showed him sufficient
preference to lead him to believe you
reclprocated his affection. How much
further have you led him on by word of
mouth, L don't pretend to know: but
doubtless you have said hundreds of
loving words to him in your time. But
now your ladyship suddenly takes il into
your head to show indifference for This
noble-hearted fellow. I call him noble,
hearted because he merits it. and not
only out OF any sentimental prejudice
lie sees the change in you-if he were
not blind, he could not help seeing it, I
see the change in you; and T see wbat
an alteration in him that change has
made. He is not the same man. And T
as the only relative he has left who cares
Two pms about him, wish to know what
has caused this tickleness on your part "
You speak as though Cousin Jack
and ! were engaged" I answered indig-
nantly. ''i''9
my aunt. -o'0A %
HE never asked me to be his wife" I
answer
"He never asked you!" responds
Aunt Deborah with infinite scorn. "Per-
haps you will have the assurance to tell
n ri II ~ L
Now, look here, Miss Jane Fleminp T
have had enough of this. Your cousin
Jack Randall, has been as dear to mo rs
q son for years past. He was my favor
lte sisters only son, and when she was
on her death-bed ] promised faithfully
to do my best for her child. You are
the only daughter of my dear brother. 7
promised him on his death bed to take
charge of you. I have tried to do NV
BEST ny
"You have ever been-" I commence
my eyes filling with tears, and n panp of
remorse shooting through my heart for
ever having said word or committed an
act that could wound Aunt Deborah's
gentle spirit.
But Aunt Deborah Interrupts me.
81 don't need any thanks" she ex-
claims; "I have only done my duty.
Answer me one question, and this pain
full subject shall be dropped. DO you
love anyone else? Are you fonder of
any one than you are of Jack?"
My color mounts to my forehead.
''No," reply.
My aunt rises, and putting her arms
about my neck. kisses me affectionately.
"Ihank Heaven for that, my dear"
she says with much emotion. "
And SO the conversation ends.
Aunt Deborah's house is situated ON
the parade at Ramsgato. T have lived
with her for more than seven years. and
she has proved mother to me in every
way. have to-day, for the first timo
i'll my life, told her deliberate false
hood. l do love some one better than
Cousin Jack. This afternoon I mean to
meet him on the beach. He has asked
me to be his wife, and I have all but
consented. Ours have been clandestine
meetings. To own the truth, spoke to
him without formal introduction.
One afternoon, when was alone upon
the sands, he made an excuse for speak
ing to me. He warned me of the i'll
coming tide, saying he feared might be
surrounded. Since then our meetings
nave been frequent; since then my feel
lDgs for Cousin Jack have grown colder
and colder.
1t Is afternoon, the afternoon Of the
same day on which have told Aunt
Deborah the deliberate falsehood as to
my affections, my newly-found lover is
at my side, my handsome gay-hearted
Arthur. Soon, / trust, the day may
come when l shall be his wife; when I
shall bear the name of Stanford.
tell hlm about my aunt's lecture.
"Au this kind of thing" he says,
must be put stop to, my little Jane,
rs soon rs possible. Don't You think it
far better that it should be sop
"How can it be put stop to? / ask
''There is but one way" he answers.
"Nnd to that I hardly dare hope you will
consent"
Tell me what it is" L say.
For us to elope, Jane"
The color mounts to my cheeks, and
my breath comes quickly.
''Jane, my darling Jane" he murmurs.
will you fly with me to-night?"
Before we have separated / have con-
sented to his proposal.
The wind is blowing briskly as he
wishes me az reUOir.
II am just going to have a sail in my
favorite little skiff--a farewell SAIL" he
says; "and then I must return to my
hotel and make all necessary prepara-
tions."
"Tt's blowing so strongly" I answer;
60! I'm always afraid of some accident
wien you go sailing in that slender
craft"
"Never fear" he responds gaily, "I
can swim mile or two if need be; there's
no danger of my coming to grief. Fare
we'll until tonight; tonight, darling
and then we shall meet to part no more"
He grasps my hand, oh, so warmly,
and then he leaves me. I watch his re-
treating figure as he makes his way to-
wards that portion of the beach where
he hires his sailing skifr.