Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-07-26
"I think YOU would call him snob would


you not j.? Well, then, | don't see that it is
any fairer to despise man because he has
too much money than because he has too
little"
1t was not a long or eloquent sermon, but
produced a result which more elaborate and
more lengthy disquistions have often failed
to effect-it convicted its hearer. Penelope,
during the whole of the cool, quiet row
home, was thinking over the astonishing
fact that this young Philistine whose educa-
tion she had been attempting, had rebuked
her for her narrow -mindedness and had
rebuked her justly.
The party broke up at Richmond, and it
was natural that Mr.. Brown should prom
ise to see Penelope home, as the girl was
the only one to travel by the Metropolitan
railway; but she would have given much
to escape from the escort which was as a
matter of course to the rest of the party.
Tom took her ticket and his own, and
then when they were seated in tirst-class
compartment, was annoyed at his own
thoughtlessness, for the shabby little purse
which Penelope drew out, was emptier than
when he had last seen it. She insisted upon
his receiving the money, without listening
to word Of excuse, and then sat silently
looking out of the window, watching the
lamps as they flashed past Suddenly she
turned to him, and with return to her old
simple manner, spoke:
"Mr. Brown, you are quite right and was
quite wrong in what said. beg your par
don. l am sure it ought not to make the
slightest difference whether one is rich or
no, but one cannot outgrOW prejudices." ."
She smiled as she spoke, her bright eyes
looking at him with friendliness and for
giveness.
81 wish my money was at the bottom OF
the sea-" he answered, eff it is to separate
thing in the world, Penelope. | think you
know that"
She looked upon him with unabashed eyes
of sweet surprise, which were sufficient to
stem the words upon his lips; but it was
impossible to stop there and he spoke a few
hurried words, which were, however, clear
enough to her ear.
"Oh no-no," she said at last; lit could
never be-We are SO different, and have such
different lives. You don't care for the
things care for"
81 care for you," said Tom, unwilling to
profess, even then, any deep devotion to
art.
"Please say no more about it," Penelope
answered decidedly. "It would never do,
I know"
1t was not a courteous or considerate re-
ply, but it is difficult to suppose that any
answer could take the sting from "NO ~
Tom, at all events, accepted it as final, and
did not attempt to reopen the question.
Penelope's unabashed self-pOssession was
destructive of hope, and if he bore himself
with an outward calm to match her own, he
suffered none the less keenly.
"Indeed, it would never do" she began
again when they had left the train and were
walking to her home through the narrow
streets. "You will be glad some day that l
was wiser than you, and saw how little we
were suited to one another.
Tom urged no answer; he had always had
a very honest conviction that Penelope was
too good for him, and he felt equally clear
now that the one thing which might have
made them equals could never bring them
together. If She had loved him, she could
never have spoken as she did.
They paused on the doorsteps of her lodg-
ings.
81 will wish you goodbye here then l do
not suppose 1 shall see you again, but l
should like you to know that, though you
could not love me, you have made me very
happy, dear"
Penelope did not answer for the first
time she realized that Tom must be all or
put her hand in his and face the world with
him, or never touch his hand or see his face
again. The choice had been her own, only
she had not understood how much she had
been setting aside. He waited some time
for her to speak, in vain then lifting her
hand in his, he touched it very gently with
his lips, and left her without another word
He had not gone ten PAGES when he heard
her steps behind him.
"No don't go-don't 60 without saying
goodbye" He turned tears were running
down her cheeks, and her voice was indis'
tinct with emotion. 81 don't mean any
thing more than just to say goodbye - but
then, in spite of trainings and tradition, Tom
kissed his sweetheart the gaslamp, re.
gardless of possible passers-by.
"Going to marry rich man, who knows
nothing of art and never reads book Pen
Pen my darling Pen ~ was Marian's cry
"For such marriage some one must sacrl'
flee a great deal, and l don't think it will be
the man. You will have everything against
you-different tastes, different habits, dit:
| ferent views of life"
"It is quite true," said Penelope wistfully
| twisting her hands in distressed way quite
new to her: sit is quite true but, Marian,
don't know how it is-it is an absurd thing
to say, and / don't like it myself-but, ,
coming nearer and kneeling beside her sis
ter so that she might murmur in her ear
81 am afraid really do love him."
She hardly. breathed the words above .
whisper, but no argument could have ST.
lenced Marian so completely as did thai
half broken murmur. What answer coulo
be made: