The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-05-12
The Wheel of Fortune.

"When am goingto marry? Father
you should not ask point blank questions
of that kind. l feel as if had hal ar
electric shock"
The yonng man put his glass dowr
with an exhausted air, and the elder
one stood up and looked admiringly al
him.
tJulian. you are a handsome fellow.
All! very like what was at your age
very" ;,
"Glad to hear it, sir; for, if so, I shall
probably be very like you at fifty. Grant
this, and why should marry for twenty
wears vet? I don't believe there is a girl
In our set that would refuse you, sir, just
as you stand to-day"
The cider Raleigh turned to the mirror
as he answered, 'Perhaps not. Julian
but then I have an income of $50, 900
a ycar-a trifle certainly. but still
enough to make a handsome man inter-
esting."
"And I have nothing"
"You have the fifty thousand your
aunt Priscilla left you,"
"My dear sir, that is three years since.
You cant imagine 1 have much of that
left"
Chow much2'
'If pay my debts, about $780,"
"Then you must marry. really can
do nothing for you. Out of my small
income have two establishments to keep
up, and-and my own little private ex-
pen es besides. Annette .)cx is not bad,
and she owns some of the tincst-payiny
property in the CITY,"
':Oh, then it is Annette. is it,"
''Old Jcx managed the Raleigh estate
in nv fathers time, and Annctte's father
knows all about our affairs. 1t is an old
connection, and he would be very proud
to make it closer. You would be taken
into the business-that is, you would
draw your regular salary-and JeN
would give Annette the Waterside man
sion rs a marriage gift. In fact, he is
30 anxious for the match that you can
make your own terms. Think of it,
Julian"
'I'll think of it, father don't sup
pose it is any use. don't see how l
ever could bring myself to 60 through
life with an ugly woman"
'But Annette has money enough to
make her-wcll, interesting, at least.
Think it over, Julian, I entreat you. Are
you going to the opera?"
"Not tonight. I have another en-
''Then adieu Try and familiarize
your mind with the idea of Annette. She
is good creature, and l really see no
other way to settle yourself"
Julian lit a cigar and sat down to
think. Of Annette Jex? BY no means.
He had not the least intention of marry
ing Annette. 1T would be WISE" he
muttered, "but for that reason I shall
not do it. Who is wise at ttwenty-seven2
It is too absurd of father to expect it.
Besides, love Sydney and Sydney loves
me, and she quite expects that we are to
marry. could not break with her, un-
less-no, I could not do it under any
circumstances. think I will go and
see her at once"
He had no fear of finding her out; her
mother was an invalid, and Sydney was
faithful companion.
Julian could see, before the carriage
stopped, the bright hight glowing through
the crimson curtains, and as soon as he
entered the room bright face flashed a
sort of glory on him-a face for which a
man m. lit we'll count Annette Jex's mil
lions worthless.
s.Oh! how exquisite you are, Sydney"
Julian cried, as he clasped her in his
arms; land your costume, darling, it is
perfect"
eyes" she answered, with low
laugh; Think Solomon in all his glory
would be rather astonished if he could
BEE me- But hush! Mamma is asleep,
and she must not be disturbed"
'tNo, darling, not for the world!' ~ and
the lovers withdrew to little sofa as far
from mamma as possible, and carried on
their conversation in whispers.
~ have something to tell you, Julian; !"
and sudden pallor made Sydney's face
still more tender and lovely. eve arc
.,oing back to England next week."
"Sydneyw
'It is true, Julian. Mamma is no
be- ter, and never will be here; the Colo
rauo Journey onlv tired her. She says
she wants to die among her own people,
and in our dear old homc;" and the
sve eet fearful eyes and white sad face
lifted to Julian's gave him a feeling of
intense pain. Yet this sorrowful hour
was Just the one thing needed to rivct
forever the chain that had Eecn slowly
binding him for weeks for though love
nursed in sunshine is fair flower, love
washed in tears is imperishable.
G., Without a moments hesitation he
offered himself, and his debts, and his
SIX hundred dollars to Sydney Dacrcs.
He did not say anything about the last
two items; there was no hurry; his
creditors were not troubling him, and he
hal kind of sublime faith in the advent
OF money somehow or from somewhere.
So he only at this hour named himself,
hut he urged that suit so eloqucntly and
so eagerly that Sydney answered him by
shyly putting both her hands in his.
She looked so bewitching in this sur
render that Julian could hardly believe
in his happiness, and for one half-
he drank of the purcst and yet the most
intoxicating cup that life offers. Then
Mrs. Dacres stirred and languidly opened
her heavy eyes. Julian and Sydney were
instantly at her side, and she OWNED in
one glance the relation between them
She closed her eyes again, and slow
large tcars weled out from the heavy
lids.
"You are glad, mammal" whispered
SYDNEY. Say YOU are glad. You like