The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-01-11
LOVES SUNLIGiIT.

rq,'
Such Wedding
mo bridesmaids, no music, no break
fast
IT declare should not feel as il +
Willoughby, throwing herself down
upon low chair in hor own elegantly
appointed drawing room, and drawing
of the delicately- tinted gloves which
served as a finish to her exquisite Par
lsian toilette.
There was only one other occupant of
the room, man, tall and handsome,
standing with one hand resting lightly
on the back OF her chair.
She did not glance up as she spoke, OF
note that Chester Thorley's face had
lost its color.
"You are speaking of Miss Marvine's
Wedding ?" he said.
'"There is ono essential to most mar
riages you have not enumerated in your
list of things lacking.
"Was love wanting, too ?"
81 believe she loves him.
"She certainly must 20 so to IN al
most absurd extent.
'"They are to go housekeeping in a
small flat Ill an unfashionable locality
where he must be away from her from
early morning until SIX o'clock.
'He occupies some salaried position
clerk in bunk, bclleve-and she is n
girl who might have married anybody. "
"Honest labor degrades no man,
Marion" was the firm, quiet answer.
"Even o clerkship is not always to be
found, and would rather break stones
in the street than live on money acquir-
ed dishonesty or doled out by charity,
though in such q case 1 would ask no
woman to share my lot"
''Thls looks like breaking stones, does
it not = she laughiugly answered, letting
her own jeweled fingers close over the
mans hand where it rcsted-a hand
whose shape betokcncd it's ar1stocracy,
aud which was white and soft as wo.
mans.
At her light touch his strong frame
quivered.
He bent and let his lips rest al in
slant caressingly OH her HAIR, for this
girl beside hlm was his atlianced wife.
"It could break stones, though, dear:
and don't know but that it would make
of ME a better man.
Suppose lost my money, Marion
''Suppose it all were swept away from
me in an hour, and had position Of
fered me, position which would enable
me to live but very humbly, very much
AS your friend is going to liyc, tell mo
what you would do ?"
"You are only talking to try mo,
Chester, and hate such questions.
''ln the first place, it is entirely out
OF reason ; for even were it so, papa,
you know, is very rich, and our home
could always be with him.
TT have said to you, Marion, that ]
would rather starYe than ent the bread
Of charity.
'"Iherefore, putting tLis possibility
aside, tell mo still what You would do. "
Her fingers relaxed then hold upon
his hand.
Was there significance III the action I?
He smiled bitterly as no SAW it.
His face was very palo now.
Except that he still stood behind her
chair, she must have noticed it.
''You arc utterly Absurd this alter
noon, Chester
"Have ! not just told you that Edith
Mavlne's wedding wns more like q
funeral than wedding? ..
you con find to say to mo p
The man shook off q certain somc-
thing which seemed to envelope Inn in
to an almost visible cloud, and answered
with the old courteous grace which
suited him SO well, ard had made his
power with women almost a provorb.
Money always seemed to belong to
him by an inherent right.
It was so very natural that no should
be rich.
He knew 30 well how to cxpenl his
wealth.
He gave it so generously, yet without
ostentation, that no man envied him it.
Yet he knew a half-hour later, when
he lett his farewell kiss on Marion
Willoughby's beautiful lips, that 1t was
farewell to all his hopes and happiness.
The blow had already fallen.
He was ruined man, with scarce n
dollar he could call his own-ho who
had had no wish ungratiiied money
might procure in all his thirty years OF
life.
It had fallen, too. through 10 fault OF
his own, though there was feeble COM
fort in that.
There was comfort, however. in the
knowledge that ho owed no man, and
that he might start afresh in tho world,
with no burden OH his broad shoulders
or conscience.
True, there was deep wound in his
heart.
Hs had loved Marion 70 we'll that to
give her up was to voluntarily renounce
heavens sunlight.
,.