The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1890-04-17

wardly fuming. She had seemed some
times to like him well-very we'll, and
she was certainly very handsome girl,
and he, well, he was undoubtedly IN love
with her, and there was the money! 1t
appeared outrageous to the young man,
whose own patrimony was less ample
than he could have wished it, that a
mere girl and STRIPPING should each
have inherited such wealth. That was
the STRIPPING riding by now, and the tall
dark fellow with him was his tutor. 1t
occurred to Tom Revery to wonder, in
passing, whether the tutor ever saw much
of his pupils sister.
"Must be rather rough on the poor
chap if he's susceptible at all ~
It was week later, and Miss Brock
ton was not only at home this time, but
had been sitting with Mr.. Revery for
nearly an hour.
There had now fallen over the room a
heavy silence. 1t lasted only few sec
onds, but the pause seemed an endless
one. Miss Brockton had risen suddenly
and was standing vita an elbow against
the mantel. AS her visitor seemed help
lessly to tumble for the fitting word she
repeated little nervously:
II am sorry-very sorry-tor this
misunderstanding. But-I-cannot mar
ry you, Mr.. Revery. shall never mar
sy at ALL
At this unlikely statement the suitor
rcgained courage.
"Miss Brockton! Geraldine"
"No; it is improbable that I should
ever marry. OF course, many men might
be tempted to propose to me, thinking
me rich. But my property will soon, BY
my own desire, be so disposed of that L
shall have only e moderate income.
Even should I marry, my will is so made
that nothing I have,in case OF my death,
would go to my husband. So you see,
such considerations may act as deter
rents"
"Miss Brockton, you-.rou cannot
think, it is not possible that you would
believe me" Revery was turning,
in rapid succession, from red to white,
from white to red. The girl pitied his
"Not at all, Mr.. Revery. / suspect
you of no interested motives. But | do
not care for you-in the way you
mean"
Five minutes afterward she was sit
ting by the fire alone, scornful smile
on her lips that presently faded away
and into sign. Some one came in at
the door as she sat there, but turned
again, retreating. At the sound Gerat-
dine glanced around.
Don't GO, Mr.. Severn; let me tell you
Of an interview 1 have just had"
She had started to her feet again and
stood IN the attitude she had assumed
little before. with her arms resting on
the chimney top. Dusk was coming on
and the room was in Il penumbra, save
for the freight. These leaping flames
Illuminated the face above them. Such
4 face, Arthur Severn telt dizzy for Il
N oment. He had never seen her look
like that. She had never flashed that
smile, that eyebeam, upon him. She had
never addressed him in that friendly,
testing tone. Sue was suddenly all life,
Ill softuesS, all charm. She seemed to
wish to atone for her sullenness, her
arrogance. What will O the wisp she
was. Changeful as witch.
"An interview" said the young man
suardedly. He would not let himself go.
He kept a tight rein on himself.
with Mr.. Revery; yes-fancy! l
have all at once come to the conclusion
that wish to be married, if am married
1t all, for myself. The heiress, Miss
Brockton. will in short time have prac-
tjca!lv ceased to exist and there will re-
main only Geraldine Brockton, with a
small income. Well, told Mr.. Revery
this. And would you believe its He
did not propose to Geraldine Brockton,
though a moment before he had offered
his hand and heart to Miss Brockton, the
heiress.'
She was laughing now. Her eyes con-
tinued to flash upon him with that
strange, lambent persistence. 1t was al
most like challenge. What could she
mean? Again Severn seemed to turn
dizzy. He kept his outward composure
by tremendous effort.
''If what you say is true, Miss Brock
ton, you will regret it, perhaps"
"Regret giving nearly all my fortune
to charitable institutions? Ah, you judge
as the world judges, do you? 1 had
thought differently of you, Mr.. Severn.
Why should l wish to be so rich?" she
cried, with a sort of tierceness. "Otler
women may be able to stand the test. I
could not. 1t was making me hard, sus-
picious. 1t was making me doubt the
whole world. 1t was sitting me.
shall have enough left for all the decen-
cies and comforts of life. Aud l am
free! Yes, am free now. Before l
was Il slave-a slave to natterers, to for
tune hunters, to every form Of human
Other people may feel them
selves exalted by such position. l felt
myself degraded"
She stopped. She almost seemed to
pant. The blood rushed to Severn's
brain. He took step forward. What
was he about to do-what to say? What
ever it might have been the PORTER was
drawn aside and Mrs. Gwynnc came in.
The words remained unuttered on his
lips.