The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-07-15

roots. 81 did come over to see the in
strument, which 1 thought of purchasing
il it-that is
sIf it Is satisfactory" the lady said,
with smile, and concluding the speech
Tom deemed it almost heresy to utter.
1T Is there, rs you see. You are, no
doubt, good Judge, aud In that case
the piano speaks for ITSELF"
1t did, and pretty loudly, too, as any
ccnnoisseur of the popular form of har-
monial torture would have readily testi-
fed. 1t was suspiciously new, the var
nish was bright and obtrusive. There
was also some little difficulty in raising
the lid, and when Tom did clumsily rus
his hand over the keys. even he-igno
rant of music as he was-felt startled al
the metallic demon he had aroused.
at is great bargain" the lady re-
marked, "and, as you see, almost new.H
Tom did see, and fastened eagerly to
pay fitting tribute to its youth, which
apparently was the only virtue it pos
sessed. And yet the soft hearted fel.
low, with those pathetic blue eyes turned
upon him, could not steel himself to
pronounce the fiat which his common
sense dictated.
81 will not decide now, " he hesitated,
man-like. "Gou see, l am not buying
for myself, but for a lady-my sister.
and should like her to see it first II
there is no objection will call again to.
morrow afternoon.
"My-my husband chose that instru.
ment, and he was well known mu-
sician," the lady said, almost timidly;
''indeed, did not circumstances compel
me, would not part with it now; but
am not so we'll off as"
She turned away abruptly, so sud.
denly that for a moment Tom was con.
scious of an idiotic desire to take her IN
his arms and comfort her. Yet usually
he was keen hand at reading character,
and some inward monitor warned him
even now that the pretty, child-iike
widow was merely acting a part. But
We are only mortal. and Tom knew too
we'll what poverty was not to feel for
tn, others who suffer from its blightiug
influence.
81 am very sorry-Mrs. Kerr, think
you said?-but | cannot decide now,"
he said, almost hunbly. 81 will bring
my sister to morrow.
Maggie listened with interest to the
story of the interview, but, sister like,
she by no means liked Toms encomiums
concerning the widowed possessor of the
instrument chosen by well known mu-
sician.
81 declare you are quite in love with
her." she said half jea!ously. 'It would
be u romance if you went to buy piano
and found vile instead
Natural enough, too, Tom returned.
"Why shouldn't marry2 should not
be in the way then when Ned Hartley
comes of an evening"
1t was Magcie's turn to look confuse ed
now. Ned Hartley aforesaid, a great
chum of Toms, aud dashing young
journalist Of some repute, certainly spent
deal Of time in Maggie's company, to
Toms secret qualification, for Ned was a
good fellow, and well able to afford the
luxury Of a wife.
awe will go and see the lady," she
said. 81 can't trust you alone again.
Tom assented, although not without
certain misgvings. Being, like most of
the craft, OF sentimental, emotional
nature he did not care to bring his di-.
vinity under the cold, practical eye even
of his own sister, and as she sat await.
ing the arrival of the disconsolate widow,
and coolly criticising the unfortunate
piano, Tom began to scent something
like trouble in the future.
"My dear, the thing is regular take
in" she said, decidedly. "Any one but
you would have known that half those
advertisements were mere dodges-'
"Not forgetting that you advised the
dodge to be tried" Tom retorted.
Any futher conversation was termi.
mated by the entrance of Mrs. Kerr, who
stood in the doorway looking from one
to the other. A stray ray Of sunshine
touched her lovely hair and sweet, pa.
thetlc face so softly that even Maggie,
the practical, was fain to admit that
Toms cxtravagances had not been so ew
aggerated after all.
'I am sorry to have kept you wait
ing," she commenced, "but-"
alt ls," Maggie cried, impulsively,
"actually it is. dear Marion"
Dear Marion, thus accosted, smiled
redly, and returned Maygic's warm en
brace.
cit is an old school friend of miue,''
the latter said, incoherently. "Tom,
you have heard me speak of herr What
memory you have, to be sure! Aud to
think of you being married, and never
knew it! And widow also! Let me
see. | have not seen you for four years,
since you left Mrs. Grimshaw's. You
must come and see our house, tho dear
est little place in Hampstead, I call it. D."
Tom, looking on, thought that although
Mrs. Kerr seemed pleased to see her old
friend, she was strangely ill at case.
She parried Maggios questions both hur-
riedly and confusedly; the strange feel
ing that she was playing a part struck
him with q new and uncomfortable
force.
"You must come and stay with us,
and if you are leaving here Tom shall
find you customer for the piano"
Maggie decided, vigorously. "Anyone,
so long as he docs not buy it himself.
Your late husband must have been sadly
taken in dear: that shOwy thino 10 NOT