The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-03-11
LOVE TO RESCUE.

Wen take you in,n said Betty, with
a patronizing air that was quite new to
her, "bccausc you have been SO kind,
and have got lis all the boughs to deco
rate with. But you mustn't tell any
body, George. Mr. dc Vaux and want
TO aStonish the natives tonight"
1t was George Knox for whom she
opened the door of the new barn, that
ro.nuS structure of Mr. Spraguc's,
an outgrowth OF fancy farming on large
capital.
There it stood. like palace of agri-
culture. painted pure white, with lattic-
ed windows of emcrald-grccn, and an
airy obscrva 'ory at the top, surmountcd
by gilded Wcather-vanc.
The barn had just been finished that
summer, but the crops were all in and
half threshcd when Betty made up hor
mind to have a harvcst-homc. There
was plenty of room for dancing in the
wide area between the mows, when the
farming implements and machinery
were moved out of the way.
walk in, Mr.. knox," said Clarence
:, VauX. with the air of one to the man.
ner born. Miss Betty and have been
doing the decorative inside"
George WINGED at the constant asso-
oiation of his name with Bctty's, and
looked jealousy ut the girls fair face,
which had never seemed farther from
him than now.
''She will never care for me-" George
said glOomilv, with Il desperate look ut
his brown bands and homcly clothes,
thrice ugly by contrast with the dainty
elegance of Clarence dc Vaux.
he went into the barn marvclling,
yet full of despair.
1t never occurred to him that he had
any part in the beauty of that in
terror, though he had loaned his team
and spent Il whole day cutting boughs
and gathering flowers for Betty at her
command, without even knowing what
she was going to do with them.
doesn't it look prctty?' Betty de-
mandcd, as they stood inside of the
barn, and she took II few giddy turns
with De VauN over the wcll-waxcd floor
This is Mr.. dc Naux's doing He is
quite IN artist, assure You.
"Ah, now, Miss Bcrty!' cried De
Vaux, pulling his mustachc. Spare
my blushcsm
ut looks bcautiful,' George said
simply.
And for II moment his honest eyes
'Sllolic WIN plcaSufC.
The scene was Il very pretty one. All
around the walls were arranged i'm
promptu seats; The walls were hung
with green boughs and autumn leaves.
with fruit and grain, and farm imple-
ments gaily dccktd with ribbons.
Chinese lanterns depended from the
EATERS. and chandelier. made of laths
clcvcrly nailed together, supported 4
hundred wax candles.
you will have to be careful about
fire" suggested George mildly. with
all that hay in the mows, the least
spark would make a blaze in minute" )"
"There won't be any danger,
guess" Betty said carelcssly. "Would
You like to 60 up in the cupola, George?
There's lovely view from there. You
con sec Ranke's hill and the mill-pond
quite plainly. Won't you come up, Mr..
de Vaux?"
mo, thank you De Vaux said
Iazily. Il am too tired for stairs. If
you'll excuse in2 Miss Betty, III wait
for you below"
A look of piquc came over Betty's
face, but she managed to hide it, and
went on up the staircase with George
There was lovely view up there, but
he had no eyes for it. He had been
longing SO for moment with her alone
that he pressed close to her side. and
looked down into the witching face that
had broken his peace for ever.
BETTY" he said, in voice that
Tembled from very love. "what is the
matter with you latelyP You are not the
same to me as you used to be-"
why, nothingr she answered in
teigned surprise. You're full of no
tions. George"
mo, l am not" he said decidedly.
~ know when .yoT are kind to me and
when you are not. Betty, YOU know
that love you with my whole soul. /
have never asked you to be nv wife.
Just because your father IS n rich man
and am only Il young farmer who has
his way to make. But if thought Won
could care for me a little Oh, Rcttv'
do you think you could?"
He had seized her hand, and was
loaking wistfully into her fair face.
With q great hunger on his lips to taste
the sweetness Of that tempting mouth SO
near his own.
He was fine fellow and Betty knew
Il. lie had never looked nobler than
he did at that moment; but De Vaux
was gentleman with invisible means
OF support; his hands were white, and
he could dance tho lawn tennis quad
rifles beautifully.
II am sorry, George" she said hasti.
ly. II am very fond of you, but IL
don't think could care for you in thai
wgT."