The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-02-24

For ell Mr.. Chisholms assertions I
would not have changed places with Miss
Raymond; better be his clerk and be
treated respectfully, than be his wife and
be sneered at.
After this he was away from the ONCE
great deal, and when in it was full of
plans for the future. I was u good deal
puzzled by his manner; sometimes he as
srred me Of hin love for his future wife,
and expressed great hopes for his happi-
ness, then again, would sneer at her
frivolousness, being gloomy and sarcas-
tic; still he was uniformly kind to me, and
felt sorry to see him $50 tossed about 10y
inward hopes and fears
One night as I was getting ready to 60
home he said abruptly:
my wedding Kday is drawing near;
will you come to the church to see me
married, Janet?"
"No, sir, answered, 'I think not;
you know holidays are rare, and if have
one on that day no doubt I shall find
plenty to 90 at home, and you will be
married just as happily without my pres
ence"
'No, 1 WON'T" he cried vehemently.
''Promise you'll come, promise, Janet,
or declare I'll keep you here till you
do"
His face was flushed; the hand that
barred my way actually trembled. was
astonished, but not afraid
eff you really wish me to come, of
| course [ will do 80" I said, smiling at his
| earnestness.
'"Thank you, I do Good night, Janet:
you are good little girl; the brido shall
send you an extra large slice of wedding
cake" And this extraordinary man
bowed me out with SMILE
The next day was Sunday. Meta and
were enjoying sweet, pure Farrar,
when our small servant made the unpre-
cedented announcements:
| "a gentleman for you, miss, waiting
in the hall"
Much surprised, went down. At the
foot of the stairs stood my master. hat in
hand, looking sallow, gloomy and cross.
"Will you do something for me?" he
began, abruptly, without even Offering
his hand. FPut on your things and
came to the Park with me. Don't be
prudish; let Miss Raymond 90 to the
dickens" (only it was stronger word)
''for to-day, and come help me get rid Of
the gloomy thoughts that have been
pestering me all day. Come, Janet, I
want you. If you refuse, I'll just sit
down here on this step and stay the rest
of the afternoon, and think" grimly,
entertaining me out Of doors will be the
easiest"
He was fully capable of keeping his
word; he looked i'll and unhappy. I sud
denly resolved L would go with him; J
was not, could not be, afraid of him, my
love was too thorough for that, and T
might win him to better mood; but I
also resolved, with q swift consciousness
| nf hot al, L.
the first and last time. After all, it
would be better for me when Mr.. CHS
holm was married.
BY the time we reached the Park he
was more amiable. Sitting on the plat
form of the tower, we two alone, he told
me the story of his life. His father died
suddenly while Miles was at college,
preparing to graduate; he had been re-
called to n darkened home, to find, when
affairs were settled up, that the business
was i'll very bad condition. College
was given up, and he devoted all his
energies to paying off his fathers debts,
and keeping his delicate mother and
sister in as luxurious style as before the
failure. It had taken the best part of
his life, and, just as fortune really came
within his grasp, death claimed his dear
ones, and he was left alone. His expert
ence of life and people had not inspired
q very great trust in his fellow beings.
I pitied him with all my heart; tears
were in my eyes when he held out
both hands with wistful eyes and said,
earnestly:
"Once more life begins to look bright.
am being educated in goodness and
purity; you are doing it, my little Janet,
with yohr sturdy honesty and simple,
pure womanliness. Oh, child, you can
never know the world of good YOU have
done me, the new light and life that has
come to me with your dear presence!
With you am good, my evil temper is
exercised. [ want you-I want you for
my own wife! Don't send mo away It
will be sorry day for your master, my
darling, If you refuse to marry him"
But Miss Raymond" I gasped,
to her.
'I am mott never was, he broke in,
eagerly "Miss Raymond is nothing to
me. Did you think I could marry such
n woman, Janet, with you before my
eyes? have never made love to her;
she knows would never marry her I
have no faith in women outside of you,
and you would not blame me, my darling,
if you knew all my life. Like Diogenes
I doubted if there we're an honest man
or woman in the world until met you.
I have been bad man, too, and my
heart fails me that such pure little dove
will never nestle in my bosom; but,
please God, if you will come to me, will
strive to be worthy of your precious love.
Richard Steele says a good wife is a
liberal education Be my education.
This is my birthday, be my birthday
gift, Janet. Are you still thinking Of
Miss Raymond? J swear she is not and