The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1883-06-27

herself. 81 do not care how humble
his station; 1 am sure that he is n of
natures noblemen. The seal OF intel
lect is set upon his forehead, and, with
that look in his eyes 1 would trust him
anywhere
The weeks went on, and John Ware
was convalescent.
1t was one midsummer morning that
he sat at the window Of the study in
an e~asy-chair, while Joanna made a
feint of working a little in oils.
But what did it mean, the tender
light that shone in John Wares eyes
as they rested on her 1.-THE, graceful
figure clad in pure white? Why did
Joauna's hands tremble as it held the
palette? And why was her face so
often suffused with a sweet, conscious
blush?
"Why don't you come ov.r here and
talk to me?' he said, with i'll tie pre-
sumption OF an invalid.
Il have somi thing better to do, Mr..
Ware" she answered, mischievously.
"But yuu don't know what you are.
missing. The little cottage must be
complete now. Here comes a wagon
load of new furniture"
Like every woman (and every man
Joanna had some curiosity, and this
announcement brought her to the
window without delay.
Certainly, there was a wagon-load of
furniture, and such furniture In that
load, which was the first Of several
that came that day, there was a beau
tiful oaken sideboard, exquisitely
carved; a quaint, lacquered cabinet ;
ebony bookcases, a handsome brass
bsdstead, and dear knows what not.
"They are going to make a very
pretty home out of it," John Ware OBJ
served. "How do you like the
houSe?"
Joanna's eyes s%parbled.
"Oh," she cried, clasping her hands
together, 81 think it is perfect ly
charming! But she aided, with
sudden gravity, 81 should think it
would make you shudder to look at it,"
ooh, no." he answered, with perfect
calmness. Then he added, softly: "It
might, under different circumstances.
But if l had never had that fall |
should never have known you as I
know you now"
Joanna did not speak; but presently
she felt his firm clasp upon her hand.
Still, he did not look at her.
"You know what has been trem-
b ling on my lips for weeks" he said.
Il would not ask you to make the
smallest sacrifice for me, if you felt it
was a sacrifice; but l loveyOu, Joanna,
and my happiness will never be COM
plete unless you are my wife"
lie did not ask her to marry him;
he did not pres, his suit. lie simply
told her. She might do as she chose.
AS for him, he knew that a mere me-
chanic had no social right to win such
a woman as she for his wife; but
then"
81 could not help telling you" he
said, turning toward her for the first
time. 1.-The merest galley slave may
look at the stars andlove them. Lean
90 away-no, no! l cannot 90 away.
Joanna, speak to me"
She was trembling like a leaf.
of you were 20 60 away, john"
she whispered, softly, "you would
make me wretchedly unhappy"
81 knew it," he cried, trium-
phan:ly, as he caught her in his
arms. "But I was not sure that your
love was strong enough to set at def
ance the ridicule of society. / did not
know that you would stoop to marry a
carpenter
"lt is not the carpenter l mean to
marry" she said, hiding her face on
his shoulder. cit is the man."
When Mrs. Mowry heard of it there
was a scene, of course. In an hyster-
ical burst of tears she declared that
Joanna would disgrace the family, and
ended by ordering her out of the house.
John Ware demanded an account of
this interview, and heard it with COM
pressed lips.
Joanna" he said, taking her two
hands in his, "you must marry me to-
day. l have a little money saved, and
we will make a home of III own. 1t
will be very humble, of course, but"
81 don't mind that" she said, smil-
ing up at him through a mist of tears.
you know | ain a decorative artist.
Beside, l always had a fancy for love
in a cottage
They were married that very even
ing. John had a carriage at the par
sonage waiting to take them away.
What extravaganza !" cried Jo-
anna "This is a bad beginning"
zone isn't married every day." said
John, laughing. - am going to take
you to the house of my dearest friend,
Joanna"
The carriage stopped in front of a
dwelling that was shrouded in dark
ness.
John took a key from his pocket and
opened the door himself.
"My friend is away" he said. II
have the entree of his house in his abb
sence."
Taking a match from his pocket h
lit the gas in the hall and ran lightle
upstairs.
Joanna followed in amazement. She
had expected to enter a humble home,
but she found herself in a perfect
palace of luxury.
John had lit the gas upstairs. When
she entered the room he had thrown
open, he stood in the middle of the
floor with his face all aglow.
"You like it" he queried, as he
noted the wonder aud delight pictured
upon her face. Joanna, I have de-
ceived you. This is the Queen Anne
cottage opposite your aunt's-this is
my house-your house, darling, our
homel I am not the poor carpenter
you thought me, Joanna. I am ].
Martin Ware, of Washington, architect
and designer, if you please"
Joanna could not say a word.
II wanted to see how things were
going on, and so I came here in perd
son. But 1 knew that the men woul
put their best feet foremost if 1 came
to watch them; so 1 just appeared on
the scene as a new workman, and they
never guessed who | was. l did not
intend to deceive you at first. 1 was
too i'll to explain. Afterward, Joanna,
when I learned to love you--and l
learned that very soon, dear-I wanted
to win you for my very self, and so l
let you think me nothing but a poor ;